Joined: Jan 14, 2004 Posts: 1895 Location: Georgia
Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:12 pm Post subject: Investigation sign ups - please read
I'm drafting a set of by laws concerning our investigation protocol. Its on its first draft right now, but you can look forward to it soon.
In the mean time, a couple quick points to reiterate off the top of my head...
Re: who is and is not eligible... only Hounds that have attended a meeting in person in the last four months are eligible to participate on our investigations.
Please note that eligibility is "retroactive" not "proactive" I.E. if an investigation is scheduled for the end of March and is posted before our March meeting, you must have attended a meeting within 4 months PRIOR to the date the investigations are posted. I.E. you cant sign on to investigate and just show up to the March meeting to become eligible for that investigation. That's not fair to those who are eligible to go to be placed on a waiting list.
For future reference, please ONLY post in the investigation sign up threads if you are putting your name in the hat as an investigator. I'm going to start pruning out the threads leaving only responses of eligible investigators. This just makes it much easier for me when I go to do the team assignments as I need only look at the names of the responders. All other replies will be deleted.
Also I'd like to request that people only sign up for one investigation at a time when we have more than one listed. Since eligible Hounds names rotate to the bottom of the list after they have done an investigation, its highly unlikely you will get to do back-to-back investigations anyways.
Every ones cooperation is appreciated. Thanks! _________________ Patrick Burns
Founder and Director, Ghost Hounds
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." - Albert Einstein
Joined: Sep 19, 2005 Posts: 127 Location: Lilburn, Ga
Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:15 pm Post subject: Investigation sign ups
Sorry GG. I just get excited when investigations come along, as do most of the hounds. Good call on protocal for the sign ups. Only issue with it (as in my case), I signed up for multiple investigations on the thread in the event that my name did not rotate in for a certain one , you would see I was available for the others.
Regardless of location, participating in an investigation is of utmost importance.
Not sure of a solid solution to it, but some Hounds will go only if the investigation is geographically practical for them. Some will go anywhere. Schedules can conflict. Just food for thought.
Joined: Jun 04, 2006 Posts: 154 Location: Adairsville, Georgia
Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:44 pm Post subject:
I would like to make a suggestion. How about putting a list on here so we can see who has already been on an investigation recently so we can kind of have an idea of who is next on the list. I know I just recently went to the Nora mill one but in all honesty, I would not call it an investigation since we only got about 1hour 1 1/2 hours there. But I am willing to wait my turn again. I signed up for this Friday’s since I know a lot of people work and some might not be able to make it and I was just volunteering if you do need anyone. Anyways, just a suggestion about a list.
I'm going to have to agree with longrifle on the point he made. Those of us who put our names in the hat for multiple investigations are not generally expecting to be chosen for every one, but to let you know that we are available for others, should we not be chosen to go on a specific one. I can see how this can cause extra work on the end of the person doing the team assignments, because you then have to check and see if these people have attended the investigations recently, etc, but I think if you limit it to one choice per person, you're going to find your self running short of back-ups in case one is needed.
just my .02 _________________ The opinions and ideas stated in the above post by ponyboy do not necessarily reflect the opinions and ideas of the Ghost Hounds organization, it's members, or it's founder. Please take them with a grain of salt.
www.historicghost.com www.Ryan-Eldridge.com
I would like to make a suggestion. How about putting a list on here so we can see who has already been on an investigation recently so we can kind of have an idea of who is next on the list. I know I just recently went to the Nora mill one but in all honesty, I would not call it an investigation since we only got about 1hour 1 1/2 hours there. But I am willing to wait my turn again. I signed up for this Friday’s since I know a lot of people work and some might not be able to make it and I was just volunteering if you do need anyone. Anyways, just a suggestion about a list.
About the Mill, I realize that the time constraint was a bit awkward as the owner obviously made other plans. However, we DID have some interesting results. It was an investigation, none the less.
I would encourage you and the other Hounds to take the time and effort to set up investigations. Please let Patrick know where you are thinking about contacting though, so we are not doubling up on anyone.
Joined: Nov 29, 2005 Posts: 142 Location: Lithia Springs,GA
Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:53 am Post subject:
To go along with what Dianna is saying, I think it would be good for GH's who are trying to set up investigation locations to be cognizant of teams who are in existance and are routinely contacting folks in certain geographical locations for their own teams. If someone wants to pursue something in a locale that is in an area that a known team already does investigations around, it might be a good idea to contact a team member beforehand.
This is a free country and I'm not suggesting that any group owns any particular area, we just do not want to start overwhelming owners with multiple requests and ruin everyone's chances at getting locations.........
"Be silent in that solitude, which is not loneliness - for then the spirits of the dead, who stood in life before thee, are again in death around thee, and their will shall overshadow you, be still" Edgar Allen Poe
Joined: Jan 14, 2004 Posts: 1895 Location: Georgia
Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 1:56 pm Post subject:
Debilee wrote:
To go along with what Dianna is saying, I think it would be good for GH's who are trying to set up investigation locations to be cognizant of teams who are in existance and are routinely contacting folks in certain geographical locations for their own teams. If someone wants to pursue something in a locale that is in an area that a known team already does investigations around, it might be a good idea to contact a team member beforehand.
This is a free country and I'm not suggesting that any group owns any particular area, we just do not want to start overwhelming owners with multiple requests and ruin everyone's chances at getting locations.........
I don't know if there is any way around this though.........
I unfortunately see numerous problems with this proposal...
With the ever growing number of groups out there, how do we possibly contact every group in a particular area?
What if said group in X area is not on friendly terms with persons affiliated with Ghost Hounds?
What if they view this as an invitation to participate on said investigation? That limits the number from Ghost Hounds that can go.
Who is "in charge" of the investigation if another team is involved?
This may set the precedent that certain groups have "turf" rights over their respective geographical areas. I've never once been contacted by another Georgia group doing an investigation in my home town here in Gwinnett. Nor do I expect them to.
We can never know for sure what groups have contacted whom. I think the only thing we need to make sure of is that multiple people from Ghost Hounds are not contacting the same locations and dropping our name. That could be viewed as harassment if they have given us a "no" answer in the past. _________________ Patrick Burns
Founder and Director, Ghost Hounds
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." - Albert Einstein
"Be silent in that solitude, which is not loneliness - for then the spirits of the dead, who stood in life before thee, are again in death around thee, and their will shall overshadow you, be still" Edgar Allen Poe
Joined: Jan 14, 2004 Posts: 1895 Location: Georgia
Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 8:57 pm Post subject:
Thanks everyone for your invaluable feedback!
I see an error I made in the initial proposal that was pointed out by several people. If you are available for multiple dates, but all means put your name in the hat for all the dates you can make.
Because in the instance we have "light" interest in a particular date, or someone cancels, we DO need backup. For dates that don't have many interested (like tomorrow nights investigation) there will be people going that were on the last investigation as they were the only ones that signed up as being available.
Note that being assigned for multiple investigations will not count against you, other than your name will be rotated to the bottom of the list after each investigation. What I'm trying to say is that if someone by chance gets to go on 5 investigations in a row because of lack of interest or availability from others, they will not be required to sit out for 5 investigations that they would otherwise be eligible for.
SO PLEASE DO put your name "in the hat" for ALL dates you are available for. My bad.
Thoroughly confused yet? Good - me too! LOL I need a computer to help me with this!!
Anyone versed in database programming that could help me write a small MySQL database and query in PHPNuke to manage team assignments online??? Seriously - PM me if your up to the task! _________________ Patrick Burns
Founder and Director, Ghost Hounds
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." - Albert Einstein
Joined: Feb 08, 2006 Posts: 375 Location: The TARDIS
Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 9:39 pm Post subject:
If I have available transportation, I should be free to be a backup. _________________ Oh, no, of course. You went all hands-free didn't you? Like, "Hey, I'm the Doctor. I can save the universe with a kettle and some string. And look at me, I'm wearing a vegetable!"
~Doctor Who~
Time Crash
Joined: Feb 08, 2006 Posts: 375 Location: The TARDIS
Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 9:54 pm Post subject:
Oh...and if there is anything I can do to help...feel free to ask. _________________ Oh, no, of course. You went all hands-free didn't you? Like, "Hey, I'm the Doctor. I can save the universe with a kettle and some string. And look at me, I'm wearing a vegetable!"
~Doctor Who~
Time Crash
Patrick: I'm not too well versed in MySQL or with PHPnuke, but i'll definitely look into the matter. _________________ The opinions and ideas stated in the above post by ponyboy do not necessarily reflect the opinions and ideas of the Ghost Hounds organization, it's members, or it's founder. Please take them with a grain of salt.
www.historicghost.com www.Ryan-Eldridge.com
Joined: Sep 19, 2005 Posts: 127 Location: Lilburn, Ga
Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 2:26 pm Post subject: Sign Ups
Ditto Patrick. Not really up on SQL, but have a contact that is. I will see if he is available, and then go over the parameters required. Thanks for adding to the already established mass confusion. It takes a whole lot of really intelligent people to confuse things to this extent.haha. We'll get it done, no worries.
Joined: Oct 28, 2004 Posts: 728 Location: Snellville, Ga
Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:23 pm Post subject: Re: Investigation sign ups - please read
ghostgeek wrote:
I'm drafting a set of by laws concerning our investigation protocol. Its on its first draft right now, but you can look forward to it soon.
In the mean time, a couple quick points to reiterate off the top of my head...
Re: who is and is not eligible... only Hounds that have attended a meeting in person in the last four months are eligible to participate on our investigations.
Please note that eligibility is "retroactive" not "proactive" I.E. if an investigation is scheduled for the end of March and is posted before our March meeting, you must have attended a meeting within 4 months PRIOR to the date the investigations are posted. I.E. you cant sign on to investigate and just show up to the March meeting to become eligible for that investigation. That's not fair to those who are eligible to go to be placed on a waiting list.
I need to bring another thing to point. the chosen night of the meetings -
some of us work businesses which do a majority of their "customer service" and "client relations" on Friday and Saturday nights. this is largely a result of people wanting their in-home consultation when it is most convenient for them to be there! go figure!
although I love being with you guys, and I have enjoyed being called last minute to cover a "missing" flank, my particular circumstance is that I rely upon these client meetings to pay my bills. if I know I am going to be able to do an investigation, I can postpone the appointment or try to do it earlier. and in some cases -I miss out on the money I might have made on that night.
I can't always justify this for dinner. many times I don't finish my business until nearly nine, so it is then unfeasible to try to rush to a location.
maybe we can consider another opportunity ocassionally which might meet the needs of those like me. like -Tuesday morning! 9am!
or maybe a lunch meeting every once in a while.
how 'bout it Neese? I have had lunch with you and Spoof in the last few months. does that count as a meeting?!
just so y'all know. I gotta pay my bills! really -I DO love you guys!! _________________ "just because you can't SEE them, doesn't mean they're not there!"
I think we've talked about lunch meetings before, but there wasn't much interest.
I guess the question is, would anyone else be interested in lunch meetings?
But ya know WG, it IS only 1 dinner a month - a couple hours. I understand everything you are saying - and yes, a dinner on one Saturday and then the hopes of investigating on another weekend night - that's 2 of the 8 possible weekend nights a month. A fourth of your scheduled work time. I got it. But still.... Let's see if there's any interest in lunch meetings, and maybe Geek could revisit the idea.....and we love you too!
Joined: Jun 02, 2006 Posts: 416 Location: Douglasville, GA
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:46 pm Post subject:
I'm so confused people.
I still haven't gone out and got my feet wet, so to speak.
Maybe next time, eh? _________________ http://www.myspace.com/taylorsgapeach
"There is no death. It is only a transition to a different sphere of consciousness."
I'm getting a lot of questions from newbies and ........er.......returnies.
So, I thought I'd bump this up.
In summary:
When you see an investigation posted that you would like to attend, please reply in the thread. Please DO NOT reply unless you are "putting your name in the hat" for that particular investigation. Please feel free to "put your name in the hat" for as many investigations as you like.
Eligibility to investigate is retroactive, not proactive. In other words, if you see an investigation posted that you would like to attend, but you haven't been to a meeting (or Ghostock) in 4 months, you cannot attend the meeting the week (or two) before the investigation in hopes of being chosen. You MUST attend a meeting (or Ghostock) within 4 months before the investigation is posted to the site.
Are ya with me?
OK - now.........
Geek chooses the teams! I realize that I am currently seemingly the only investigation coordinator. I remain hopeful that this will not always be the case. But, as an IC I do not choose the teams to investigate. Therefore, your offers of cookies will not help you make it onto an investigation team. Please contact Geek to see what you can bribe him with.
We have some great investigations coming up! I'm looking forward to April....and May.....and June..............
Joined: Jun 02, 2006 Posts: 416 Location: Douglasville, GA
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:49 pm Post subject:
Denisee wrote:
In other words, if you see an investigation posted that you would like to attend, but you haven't been to a meeting (or Ghostock) in 4 months, you cannot attend the meeting the week (or two) before the investigation in hopes of being chosen. You MUST attend a meeting (or Ghostock) within 4 months before the investigation is posted to the site.
Are ya with me?
It's clear as crystal, hun. I'll just keep hanging out on the boards with a watchful eye. My time will come... someday.
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But I am willing to wait my turn again. 
I signed up for this Friday’s since I know a lot of people work and some might not be able to make it and I was just volunteering if you do need anyone. Anyways, just a suggestion about a list. 
