| 1.)
Do we have an operational charter near you?
SGHA
has three operational charters. The home charter is based in Albuquerque, our Texas charter is based out of Austin and our Arizona Charter si based out of Sierra Vista. Members must be close enough
to attend meetings of one of the charters.
2.)
Do you have enough available time?
SGHA
predominately conducts ghost hunts, investigations and research on the
weekends. When we travel to locations outside of the metro-Albuquerque
(or Austin) areas, we will often stay at the location overnight. Generally
speaking, each charter performs at least one hunt or investigation every
month. In addition, SGHA members are required to attend at least 75% of
the monthly meetings. So half of your weekend time for the month could
easily be absorbed just to attend the meetings, hunts or investigations.
Often, it may require more time than this.
Being
involved with SGHA requires a considerable amount of your spare time,
especially on the weekends. Additionally, SGHA performs fundraiser's and
members are expected to participate in them.
3.)
Can you afford it?
SGHA
does not charge membership dues. However, when we travel, the expense
often comes out of our own pockets. The cost of hotels, meals and gas
are a major consideration. We do what we can to keep the costs low (car-pooling,
sharing hotel rooms, etc.) but it does require some cash (you have to
eat!).
There
are hunts and investigations performed locally but the frequency of these
activities vary. There have been times where we have gone 6 months without
a local investigation.
4.)
Do you have reliable internet access?
SGHA
coordinates and plans our activities through a member's only section of
our forum. Members need to check the forum at least three times a week
to keep track of what's going on and what is being planned. If you are
unable to do this, the odds are that you will fall to the wayside and
eventually have your membership revoked for nonparticipation.
5.)
Do you have initiative?
Being
in SGHA requires initiative. We do not know your schedule and what activities
you are able to participate in. It is a member's responsibility to check
the forum and activity participate in the group.
6.)
How well can you handle "science"?
SGHA
is a research association. As such we are hypothesis based, meaning that
we are attempting to prove or disprove various hypotheses that we have
developed about "ghosts". This requires that a member be knowledgeable
of the sciences involved in our research in order to understand what we
are looking for and why. If science bores you, then you will probably
be confused and perhaps even frustrated after a while. If nothing else,
you must be able to learn and obtain at least a basic level of understanding
of the sciences involved (See question 9 for more information).
Also
be aware that SGHA does not employ the uses of psychics, mediums or sensitive's.
There is one catch to this in our by-laws (if the psychic is brought in
independently by a third party). Questionable methods, such as dowsing
rods and ouija boards are also forbidden by our by-laws.
7.)
Can you be objectionable?
Everyone
has belief systems. Whether you believe in ghosts and an afterlife or
not. Most often belief systems may surface due to religious belief (or
lack of thereof). Belief systems are confining and are a direct violation
of the Scientific method.
Researching
the paranormal in a true scientific context requires an individual to
step way from their belief system and look at things with an open mind.
Some incidents are explainable, others are not.
8.)
Do you work well with others?
You
have to be a team player.
9.)
Do you have the time and the willingness to learn?
Take a look at our training curriculum. Our training program is one of the hardest out there.
Still
interested?
If
after considering the above questions and reading the by-laws, you desire
to become a member of SGHA, there are two steps to accomplish.
1. Fill out this form. Do not include your social security number on the form. If it is needed we will ask you for it later. E-mail the form to ghost(at)sgha.net.
2. You need to go to our forum and register. (It may take up to 24 hours to activate your account. Sorry,
but this is done to prevent spammers from coming onto our board).
Find
the folder in the forum titled "Want to join" and post your
interest there. Our Operations Officer will get back to you concerning
the details of the next "New member's info meeting".
He will discuss other important considerations and give you a questionnaire
to fill out. Answer the questionnaire to the best of your ability because
your answers will matter in the final decision to grant
membership. |
