SLAAPI

MISSION STATEMENT

SLAAPI, is different than other ghost hunting groups because we are a tangible Organization of ghost hunters, scientists, and investigators and not just an internet mailing list. We also have a different approach to ghost research in that we tackle it in a metaphysical and non metaphysical manner. We are also extremely careful about our presentation of such evidence, making sure that our findings are legitimate, researched and analyzed before being presented to the general public.

We also do not claim to be "experts" in the paranormal. There is no such thing as an "expert" in this field, no matter what someone may say or who may claim to be one. We simply do the best we can and collect the most credible evidence possible. One of the goals of SLAAPI is to bring credibility to the field of paranormal research. In the past, those who were seen by the general public as representatives of ghost hunting groups were often seen and perceived as being a bit strange or too weird to be creditable in any way at all. Therefore to create a group of competent researchers and everyday people with a shared goal, in search of the unknown, is paramount. There is no doubt that the plausibility of paranormal research is rebounding with the population at large and they are starting to see some of the past researchers for what they really are and not the representatives of ghost hunters everywhere. Our Goal is to make a concerted effort to display the best evidence and information possible.

SLAAPI members are always open to an exchange of ideas and we do not believe that one person is any more correct than another. There is no right or wrong here because we just do not have the proper amount of information to judge. Members will also have access to paranormal investigations.

 SLAAPI Bi-Laws

Article 1
Name and Jurisdiction

Section 1. This organization shall be known as the St. Louis Area Association For Paranormal Investigations and has been in existence under that name since June of 2005.

Section 2. The jurisdiction of this organization is worldwide with a special emphasis on St. Louis and surrounding areas.

Section 3. The principal office of this organization shall be located in the County of St. Louis, State of Missouri. The organization may have other branches anywhere as the Founding members see fit.

Article 2
Objectives

Section 1. The objectives of this organization shall be:
A. To scientifically and without prejudice explore the realm of the supernatural with a special emphasis on the topics of ghosts, hauntings, poltergeists and life after death.
B. To attempt to prove the existence of ghosts through on- site investigations at alleged haunted locations with the aid of special equipment and/or psychics.
C. To report such findings in the organization's official paranormal publication, and on their website.
D. To examine all forms of evidence for the existence of ghosts including; photographs, video, evp, and any physical proof gathered.
E. To receive, manage, invest, expend or otherwise use the funds and property of this organization to carry out these duties and to achieve the objectives set forth in these By-Laws and for such additional purposes and objects not inconsistent therewith as will further the interests of this organization and its members, directly or indirectly.

Article 3
Official Logos

Section 1. All logos on this organization's business cards as well as those on all SLAAPI merchandise are copyrighted and remain the property of SLAAPI. This would also include cover designs on the Newsletter and all special interest directories. These designs and logos cannot be reproduced without expressed written consent from the Founder and Founding Members of SLAAPI.

Section 2. The designs on this organization's membership cards and photo identification cards are also copyrighted and cannot be duplicated under penalty of law.

Section 3. The title SLAAPI and St. Louis Area Association For Paranormal Investigations remains the exclusive property of Roxanna Rivard, Founder of SLAAPI and cannot be used by any other organization or business under penalty of law. However, SLAAPI members can utilize the logos on their personal business cards as long as they remain Active Members of SLAAPI.

Article 4
Eligibility for Membership

Section 1. Subject only to the specific conditions stated hereinafter, any person of good moral character who has an interest in the paranormal shall be eligible for membership at the discursion of the Founding Members.

Section 2. Anyone wishing to become more involved with the organization may become an Active Member if he or she meets the following requirements:
A. All Active Members must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and have a valid ID or driver's license prior to joining.
B. He/she must fill out an Application For Active Research and provide a recent color photograph.
C. He/she must pass the interview process with one of our Founding members.
D. He/she must attend ALL Bi-weekly meetings.
E. He/she must have their own form of transportation to and from meetings and field outings.

Section 3. No person shall be eligible for membership if:
A. He/she refuses to obligate themselves to some type of participation in scheduled SLAAPI events, be it a scheduled web chat or just a yes or no answer to e-mails.
B. There is reason to believe that he/she may not adhere to and abide by the By-Laws and our rules and regulations.
C. He/she advocates race, religious or class hatred.
D. His/her attendance to bi-weekly meetings, chats and investigations falls below par in any given six (6) month period.

Section 4. Your Active Membership can be permanently revoked if:
A. Attendance to SLAAPI sponsored events falls below average.
B. Divulging privileged or confidential information gathered on Investigations with anyone outside SLAAPI.
C. Attempting to undermine the credibility of the organization in anyway.
D. Simple dishonesty or other bad traits which reflect unfavorably against SLAAPI.
E. Use of recreational drugs of any kind while at a SLAAPI event.

Section 5. Other membership points:
A. The Founder has the exclusive right to deny Active or Regular Membership to anyone who does not meet the high standards set forth by SLAAPI.
B. All SLAAPI-related photo id's are the exclusive property of the SLAAPI and must be surrendered to the Founder upon request when dropped from the organization, or member resigns.
C. All Active Members are given a trial period of one year and evaluated at the end of that time. It is then up to the Founder whether or not the said member will be invited to renew as an Active Member. Renewal points taken into consideration are: attendance to meetings, Investigations, ability to learn and grow with SLAAPI, neatness of appearance, willingness to contribute to the team as a whole and other general membership practices.
E. The Founder is not obligated in anyway to retain any individual that doesn't meet with the above mentioned criteria and others deemed necessary.
F. SLAAPI is not obligated to accept members who already have their own paranormal research organization established at the time of their joining. This is a conflict of interest and there will be no exceptions. However, it is acceptable if the new member belongs to other organizations.

The SLAAPI Team is currently looking for members to join in the search for evidence that ghosts really exist. The goals of the group are to seek out that evidence through paranormal research and investigation. Are we looking for you?

We are looking for people who want to have fun but yet have a thirst for knowledge and an interest in the unknown and the unexplained. We only ask for members with an open mind and with the belief that anything is possible.

If ALL of this sounds acceptable to you please visit our contact us page to apply for membership.

                            RULES FOR INVESTIGATIONS

1. Do not show up for an investigation under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Do not bring any of that with you to have during hunt. If you or anyone shows up for an investigation intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, you will be asked to leave. If you choose not to leave, you will be removed.

2. No smoking during investigation. If you are a smoker, and feel the need to have a smoke, leave the investigation site. Smoke can and will ruin the process of investigation. It will show up on film.

3. If you have long hair, secure it back away from face and lens.

4. The founding members have the final say. We are not unreasonable and do value everyones input.

5. Must be legal age to attend.( some exceptions may be made on a case by case basis)

6. You agree to hold no member of SLAAPI liable for damages to your person, your property, or whatever mind you have.

7. The founding members will direct you at the location of the investigation. This is time for questions. It is up to you to follow directions. You might be asked to stay inside or set up on outside grounds if investigation is in a building.

8. We understand that you may want to investigate outside the area of SLAAPI. If you do, you cannot use SLAAPI to gain access to any area. The SLAAPI name and logo is the property of Founder Roxanna Rivard. In other words, don't use SLAAPI unless we have given you permission to do so. OK?

9. No untrained member is to be alone on investigation. If you have not been on an investigation, let founders know at the beginning of investigation at the site. They will place you with a trained member. You are then to follow direction of the founding members.

10. A protection prayer will be said at the beginning and end of the investigations. If you have any objections to this one, get with the founding members that have had experience and find out what happens if you don’t say a protection prayer.

11. NO transmitters, NO radios outside of ones we use for communications within investigation. No portable televisions outside ones used for investigations. This should be automatically understood ,but did have question asked about this.

12. NO practical joking. I have seen instances where people went around trying to scare others at an investigation. If this is done, the person doing the practical joke will be removed from site and group. Now I have a sense of humor, but during the investigation this applies. The investigation lasts until founding members end the session. And those people will let everyone know.

13. There will be investigations where we will limit how many to show up. And there will be investigations where we will have what we will call "Max effort" Max effort will mean, this is huge and important. So please try to come for this one. I know each and every site will be important, but if we have a small house that only holds 8 people and 20 show up to investigate then we have problem.

14. Everyone is going to be required to take notes, tape, or record data from the investigation. Copies of these notes are to be turned in to founding members or secretary of the group. Make sure your name is on the notes, dates, location.

15. Each individual will be responsible for their equipment even if it is loaned out to someone else on site to use.

16. You will be asked to sign a waiver before each investigation. If you haven't signed a waiver, don't go on the investigation.