Para'ventures (Paraventures)
Code of Conduct
We take a scientific approach to investigations of the paranormal and attempt to rule out all natural explanations before we label what we find to be paranormal in origin. Some have coined this the 'Sherlock Holmes method'. You must be willing to abide by these in order to be a part of Paraventures.
1. You will treat people, cemeteries, buildings, houses, or any other location with respect, leaving places and objects undisturbed.
2. Always treat fellow investigators with respect. Investigators are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times when on site. There is a time and place for goofing off, and we have those. It is not during an investigation.
3. Do not use any vulgar or profane language while in the presence of any clients or while in view of the public where your actions could reflect poorly on the group.
4. No smoking during investigations. There will be assigned areas and times for smoking, please do not break protocol, as it can nullify possible evidence.
5. Silence during investigations or, if not able to, mark when someone speaks (make verbal notation someone spoke if you are doing tape or digital recording, so that when we review, we will know it is not a possible piece of evidence)
6, Maintain good hygiene but avoid perfume or smelly soaps, lotions and such. (ie it may create a false positive in relation to past times when people reported smelling something during an investigation: example-fresh baked bread is reported to be smelled during WHS investigations)
7. This is a voluntary program. By being a part of Para'ventures you openly agree to the following:
· Paraventures nor its Officers are not responsible for any injuries you may incur at any Paraventures function, this includes being invited to investigations with other groups as a Paraventures member (ie: if we get invited by another paranormal group as Paraventures members, to investigate with them)
· Any host (s) permitting access for a formal investigation by Paraventures is not responsible for any injuries you may incur while at the location of investigation.
· You, as an active member, accept full responsibility for your individual actions and wellbeing at any Paraventures function.
8. No active member may communicate, by verbal, written or other means, to any person or organization on behalf of Paraventures unless permission has been given by the President or Co-Founders (ie if it is CCC related, it will go to the President. if it is community related, it will go to both the President and the Co-Founders). Any communication you may have with individuals and/or organizations not a part of this group is strictly of a personal nature, and Paraventures should not be spoken of in a contributing way to the interview. Should any individual or organization request comments on behalf of Paraventures, they should be directed to the President and/or Co-Founders.
9. All members are to adhere/abide to the bylaws, guidelines and Code of Conduct set forth by Paraventures. If you have any specific questions about our guidelines, it is your responsibility to ask someone in authority. Any member who does not follow protocols, guidelines and/or codes of conduct will be subject to group discussion/dismissal from the organization.
10. The name Para'ventures may not be used by anyone without the express written consent of the Co-Founders. Permission has been granted to the student/community group at CCC (Chemeketa Community College), and all governing factors apply to that branch.
11. Membership does not guarantee you a place on the investigation team that conducts every investigation. On many investigations, not every member is needed. In this case, the members with the most participation will be awarded a spot on the team.
12. CCC Paraventures (school group) normally holds at least one member meeting every other month at Chemeketa (with the exception of Summer term) and while meetings are not mandatory for membership, all members are advised to attend as many meetings and activities as possible. The exception would be those researchers that are out of state, but still members of Paraventures. The members with the most participation will take first priority when filling spots for investigations where there are not enough active members available. This does not include those times when members only have specific dates that they can participate (ie due to work, final exams or other like instances).
Guidelines
(to follow when investigating, to help make sure it remains untainted by outside influences)
1. A location must always be surveyed in advance. This is to make sure there aren't contaminants that could produce false readings or images when taken during an investigation.
2. The location/area will always be researched first. Find out the history. Interview any possible witnesses that have experienced something in relation to the location/area. If you record the interview, it must be transcribed. Get permission from the interviewee to be recorded. Recording and transcribing is the best way to interview, so that nothing is missed in transcribing or information being given.
3. We will have a base that someone will monitor at all times. This is to make sure we all know where the others are, and to collect possible evidence in one location (ie. turn your film in when using a film camera, once a roll is used, or to exchange equipment or batteries when needed).
4. Use one piece of equipment at a time. Fumbling or full hands do not a good investigation make.
5. Stabilize your equipment before trying to record or take pictures/video (i.e. keep hand steady or, if at all possible, set recorder down, to do EVPs work). The less movement, the clearer the possible evidence.
6. Keep your equipment clean. Clean before each investigation.
7. If you have medium to long hair, it must be kept up/back so that hair doesn't have the chance to stray into a picture and create a false positive of a possible manifestation.
8. Avoid taking pictures in bad weather (ie: fog, rain, snow) or in places where dust has been kicked up.
9. Avoid taking pics in mirrors. reflections and the light from the camera interfere with what could possibly be in a room, or create a fake instance.
10. Never investigate alone. If you are going to split up, give a time-frame of how long you will be gone and an exact location. Do not stray from the information given.
11. Always make note of time and location of any paranormal event you witness. (this is why we recommend partners and someone carrying something to write with and on). You can make a verbal note on the instrument you're using, if able, but do try not to do this, as it could overlay possible instances of entities speaking at the same time.
12. If in doubt of what to do, ask. If in doubt of possible evidence, chuck it out.
note: Code of Conduct and Guidelines are subject to change
