Commonly asked questions and answers

What is the Southwest Ghost Hunter’s Association?

The Southwest Ghost hunter’s Association was formed by Cody Polston in 1985 and is research organization which has an Limited Liability Corporation status. We are dedicated to the scientific research of the phenomena commonly called ghosts. Our goal is to gather and collate data that will lead to a better understanding of ghosts and hauntings in accordance with Scientific Method. Our organization is composed of both believers and skeptics.

How can someone become a member of the SGHA?

The first step in becoming a member is to go this page. It asks the important questions to aid you in deciding if SGHA is right for you. If you still want to join, follow the directions given on that page.

After following the first step, our Operations Officer will contact you and let you know when our next Interview Session will be held. These introductory meetings are held quarterly, so you may have awhile to wait, depending on your timing. During this waiting period, feel free to join in on the discussions on the forum and become acquainted with the information on our website.Just before the information session, our Operations Officer will give you a short questionnaire to fill out. Complete this carefully as it will be looked at by all of SGHA officers to determine what type of membership can can qualify for.

After the information session, you will be interviewed by the Operations Officer and at least one other SGHA officer. During our monthly Officer's meeting, the Operations Officer will discuss your application of membership with the other officers along with his impressions and recommendations. The other interviewing officer will do the same.

The Officers will then review your membership questionnaire and make a decision on whether you will be admitted to trainee status or not. While this is no way guarantees your acceptance into the SGHA, it will serve to help us come to a rational and informed decision on whether you can fit our needs and we can fit yours. However, if approved , you will be assigned to a team for training for a six month probationary period. When this period is over, a majority vote by the Officers will decide which type of membership you will be granted or not. Typically it will be either Active or Contributing membership.

What is the difference between Active and Contributing Members?

Active members belong to a team and are given first preference on ghost hunts and investigations. Contributing members typically go on investigations only when authorized by a team captain or when needed.

Is SGHA an exclusive organization?

From a certain point of view we are. We are selective when considering people for potential membership. Training new members requires time, money, and resources and since we do not charge membership dues, we have to consider trainees carefully. Generally we are looking for people that have a particular talent, knowledge or ability that would benefit our organization. While a degree in a disciple of science is great, there are other things that are potentially valuable such as charisma, leadership ability, technical expertise, and a willingness to learn.

Does SGHA use psychics?

We may not use psychics during ghost hunts unless they are brought in by a third party. They cannot be used during any other function. Something that is considered to be paranormal cannot prove another that is paranormal. This also means that we do not endorse the use of dowsing rods, demonologists, crystals or Ouija boards.This is a crucial part of the scientific method as the means that you use to collect data can be used to discredit your data.

How are your investigative teams organized?

Our teams are organized into groups of six investigators. The most crucial part when preparing for an investigation, and sometimes the hardest, is putting a team together. For an investigation the team should be set up like a military ranking system. At the top there should be a director or team leader. This person would be in charge of all the investigators at the site. They will be responsible to match up the participants into teams and designate their post. This person should also be able to answer any questions that might be presented to him from any of the team during the investigation or ghost hunt and act as a spokesperson for the team.

This leader is normally one of the directors, but in their absence a director will assign someone to be in charge in advance. This person must be certified in all aspects of SGHA procedures. Underneath the team leader there should be some assigned as assistant team leader. This person should be able to handle any of the problems or answer any of the questions on an investigation should the team leader be occupied or overwhelmed with tasks. The team leader and the assistant should have the same knowledge on the facts of the case and familiar with the persons who have brought them in. This person must be certified in most aspects of SGHA procedures.

The team leader will give each member of the team a special duty. There should be an interviewer, videographer, recorder (audio), and scanner (EMF, thermometer).

What is the difference between a ghost hunt and an investigation?

Many other organizations believe a ghost hunt and an investigation are the same thing, but SGHA does not support that view. SGHA feels ghost hunting and investigating are two separate elements, which are a part of a series of phases within the research process to perform a successful case. If the location has already been established and documented to be haunted then a ghost hunt is not required, you know they are there! But what if the locale has no reported history of a haunting and you have a gut feeling that it is, then what? This is the first phase of any case that you will perform, the ghost hunt.

Within this step you are going to try to find enough evidence that will support the theory of an active haunting and the need for further research. If the decision has been made to research further then you have now entered the second phase, the investigation. During this phase you will gather all the information needed to determine the nature and status of the haunting. You will need to know and witness the phenomena itself, what brought about the activity, the type of entity you are dealing with and what actions and precautions should be taken to approach the situation.

In general, ghost hunts are used to see if there is any activity taking place at a particular location, while investigations are conducted to collect data and determine locations to conduct research.

Do I have a picture of a ghost?

Sorry, we are not interested in viewing photographs taken outside of our investigations/projects.