Occasionally we open the group membership for targeted new members to replace those valued members that have moved out of the area or have career obligations that no longer allow for the time our endeavors require.  The only thing T.R.I.P.R.G. requires of its members is their time and dedication; this we insist upon.  We do not offer t-shirts or other gimmicks for sale to non-members.  These are reserved for the exclusive few that become members of this organization.

We do not tolerate immaturity, verbal abuse or sexual harassment, alcohol or drug abuse in any form whatsoever.  Although what we do is exciting and quite fun, it is not a game we're playing and its not a business we're running . . . it is serious research we are involved in.  Please know this before contacting us with regard to membership.

As a general rule, we do not allow the use or possession of Ouija Boards on or near field investigation sites.  This is because of the overwhelming evidence concerning the extreme danger involved with those ignorant of their potential and proper use.  Especially within the investigative settings we are often exposed to in the field.

Although we do have an active Junior Membership program, it is open to minors who are members of an active Senior Member's family over which they hold legal guardianship.  Their acceptance to the group is at the sole discretion of the Group Director.

 Members of The Rhode Island Paranormal Research Group are required to have (at a minimum):

- Maturity and be at least eighteen (18) years of age or older.  We do have  a Junior Membership, but this is exclusive to the teenage boys and girls of Senior Members. 

- Attended no less than one investigation and evidence meeting as an invited Observer. 

- Completed their mandatory training in our techniques and procedure as well as in proper use of all of our electronic monitoring and detection equipment; some of which is very expensive.  

- Dedication to our client's] safety and mental well being as well as to the absolute integrity of all of our investigations.

- Good people (social) skills and good common sense. 

- A valid driver's license or some other valid form of identification.

- A good sense of humor.

- The ability to commit  and maintain that commitment to the time our in-demand group requires of all of its members.

- The ability to work closely with others as part of a team in highly stressful situations.

- The ability to put aside prejudice and pre-conclusion.

- Successfully competed their six month probationary period to the satisfaction of the voting membership and especially the Director.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS A MEMBER OF T.R.I.P.R.G. ?

To us, this is the most important question a person wanting to join our group can ask.  I shows you think before you act and you realize there are good and bad consequences involved with this decision you are contemplating.  In a nutshell, we expect a lot!

Here are some PROs and CONs to consider:

Pro- I get to actively participate in real paranormal research.

Con- Before you can participate in any part of an investigation, you must be trained.

Pro- I get to enjoy the company of others with the same interests as I have.

Con- Time put into an investigation is sometimes inconvenient, long, monotonous and sleep depriving.

Pro- I get to face and defeat one of the most basic human fears; that of the unknown.

Con- There can be times when paranormal research gets very frightening as well as spiritually and mentally stressful.

Pro- I get to help real people with real problems.

Con- Sometimes the cause of these problems are not cooperative and are quick to rise to the challenge.

Pro- It's a lot of fun and 100% intoxicating.

Con- It's also a 100% unpredictable enterprise that can be potentially dangerous at times.

Of course, these are but a few of the many good and not so good points about doing this research that will become more apparent as time goes on.  But lets assume you've thought about all of this and have made the decision to join our group.  Now what?

Before getting into our rules of conduct, you must first realize that we deal with real people with real problems that have invited us into their most private place, their home or property, to bring answers to some pretty scary questions.   This requires technical training as well.

People skills are a must in this field.  We all have to be able to assure our client of our training, our knowledge and our abilities to bring some resolution to their problem.  Many, about 90%, are seriously afraid they are either losing their minds or their children are in danger or both.  Their fear of public ridicule and embarrassment is at an all time high.  So it comes as no wonder that they feel such relief when they hear someone can relate to their problem and that their sanity is very much intact.  Compassion, patience and the ability to appear to be keeping your head while they are losing theirs is very important and comes with experience. Some people are "naturals" at this, but most need to learn this skill.  Also, people skills include your ability to get along with the rest of the group and have the ability to resolve the occasional conflict of opinion in a mature way.

Each T.R.I.P.R.G. investigator must go through a training and probationary period where they are taught the use of the different instruments we use and how to properly take information using them.  Some people learn quickly, others take longer depending on their background.  The average is one training session to get down the basics and three sessions to complete the training that will allow you into the field.  A session lasts from anywhere from two to five hours. It depends on how fast the class is advancing.  It is not uncommon for applicants to get their training over with in one session.  If it looks like you need to sit back and rethink your decision to become an investigator we will tell you that you need to wait and ask that you become a support person in the meantime.

During this training period the applicant is expected to ask a lot of questions.  Questions about everything as he or she learns about as well as the people they'll be working closely with.  This develops the teamwork and trust needed to do our job. Its ALSO during this time that he or she also learns our code of conduct and general rules.  A set of proven rules forged from over two decades of experience that are strictly adhered to insure that our endeavors are done in nothing less than the mature and responsible manner that has become synonymous with this organization.

Code of Conduct & General Rules

* All members are required to have successfully completed their required training before being allowed to attend a field investigation.

* Blatant personal verbal attacks on another member in the presence of other person, especially at any investigation or meeting, shall not be tolerated.

* At no time shall any member of  the investigative or preliminary survey team discuss their findings with the client prior to the evidence supporting those claims being scrutinized by the group at an evidence meeting.  

*The collection of evidence will be performed in a professional and responsible manner and in such a way as never to alarm a client. All evidence and copyrights attached there to become the sole the property of The Rhode Island Paranormal Research Group upon submission to the group for any reason whatsoever.

* All group property including clothing by virtue of the registered logo being printed or otherwise applied to that clothing become the property of the group upon a member’s termination and shall be turned into the Group Secretary within seven working days.

* All members are required to notify the Director of any changes whatsoever in their ability or intentions to attend meetings and remain involved with the group’s activities as discussed at their interview.   

* All members attending a publicly viewable field investigation or media event shall be required to wear their official group picture ID in plain sight. Clothing with the insignia and logo are not acceptable substitutions.

* All observers will be required to sign a liability waiver and client confidentiality agreement before being allowed on any active investigation site.

* The approval of Observer status shall be as a result of no less than a 3/4 membership vote based on the information provided within that person’s application.

* Client and property owner's privacy and confidentiality shall be fully protected by all members at all times, even after the investigation has been completed.  No member shall abuse or take advantage of any client's hospitality in any way whatsoever.

* All Safety restrictions and precautions shall be obeyed.

* All members are required to provide the group with up-to-date medical information and contact information (kept strictly confidential in a sealed envelope/for EMS eyes only) before being allowed on any  investigations.

* No member will be allowed into a restricted area without both the Safety and Lead’s knowledge and permission. No Exceptions.

* The Lead investigator has full authority and responsibility over an investigation including expulsion of an investigator from the investigation site. Appropriate disciplinary action, if any, will be at the discretion of the Director and or the membership . 

* At no time shall the conduct of any member compromise or threaten to compromise the safety, comfort or well being of any client.

* At no time shall the conduct of any member compromise or threaten to compromise the safety of any member of this group or the group as a whole. 

* A business meeting will be held each month and attendance shall be mandatory.

* Absence from any mandatory meeting or emergency meeting specifically called to held to review the events of an on-going investigation negates that member’s right to attend that investigation.

* Smoking is not allowed in the vicinity of any investigation area, no exceptions.

* Members who repeatedly fail to participate in posted investigations or events will be terminated for lack of participation.  

* All members will refrain from using foul language on investigations.

* Long hair, past shoulder length, shall be tied back or placed under a hat to secure it.

* At the sounding of a CODE RED, all investigators shall evacuate the investigation area immediately and meet at the pre-designated place. Something has gone wrong...GET OUT! 

* Once a Code Red is sounded that investigation site shall remain closed until proven safe by qualified investigators. 

* Suspect phenomena is to be reported via radio or in person to the designated SAFETY at once.

* The possession or being under the influence of an illegal or unreported prescriptive substance and or alcohol while on a T.R.I.P.R.G. investigations is strictly prohibited and will be cause for mandatory and immediate termination from the group. 

* Members required by a doctor to take prescription drugs or develops a psychological or physical condition that is being treated by a physician must inform the Director of this immediately.  The Director shall insure that the member's medical profile envelope has been updated.  No member will participate in any investigation without their medical profile being updated as needed.

* Any member caught stealing anything from or vandalizing a client=s home or other property shall be immediately placed under citizen=s arrest, retained and handed over to the police. NO EXCEPTIONS!

* All members will be aware of what they say and how they act at all times insure that nothing they say may be interpreted as a challenge or threat by any present entity.

* Behavior at investigation sites shall be nothing less than professional at all times while said investigation is in progress. This does NOT include sanctioned breaks.

* At the conclusion of every investigative session, every member will perform a spiritual cleansing of their choice.

* No member by word or deed shall impose their religion or beliefs upon others.

* Know and learn when you have found something, and when something has found you!

* Be respectful of the dead and those beings that you are investigating or might be in the vicinity.

* Members who are pregnant or suspect that they might be must say so, so that precautionary measures can be taken for both the mother and unborn child's safety.

* When interviewing people during the preliminary investigation the investigator shall use the approved question worksheet as a guide.

* Where possible, the initial client interview will be recorded via audio or video tape.

* Members will refrain from idle radio chatter; keep frequencies clear and stay on assigned frequencies.

* All conduct will be so as not to endanger the integrity of an investigation or the reputation of The RI Paranormal Research Group or any of its members. Immaturity will not be tolerated.

* Harassment or abuse (Physical, Verbal, Racial, Sexual or otherwise) on the part of any T.R.I.P.R.G. member on any level whatsoever will not be tolerated and can result in   immediate dismissal upon review. 

* Group business is confidential and is to remain within the group.  For this reason no member shall form or become a member of any other paranormal research or investigative group while a member of this organization.  Although members are conditionally allowed to join supportive organizations such as AA-EVP or The Rhine Institute, any discussion of group business with non-members or threat of doing so is NOT allowed and WILL result in the offender’s immediate dismissal.

*Probationary members are required to successfully complete a six month probationary period during which, at the membership's discretion and with a majority vote, they can be dismissed for failure to successfully complete their training or fulfill their membership obligations.  

While we acknowledge the fact that in some way, large or small, we are all gifted at some level with psychic ability, having such ability and being able to use it does not automatically make a member a candidate for our Sensitive Team.  Our sensitives have proven themselves through exceeding our  expectations and actively participating in group activities both as paranormal investigators and researchers first before going on to be Sensitives.  Even then, they not only assume the sometimes overwhelming responsibilities of being a T.R.I.P.R.G. Case Sensitive, but, first and foremost, these men and women also fulfill their responsibilities as being among the field's most seasoned and  proven-through-experience paranormal investigators and researchers the field can offer today.  Sensitives-In-Training are recruited from the most dedicated among our member ranks.  Please keep this in mind before you apply for membership.

This pretty much answers the question of what is expected of you.  Examine the facts carefully and don't rush into doing something your gut feelings might be warning you against. This is one time that pride can be a dangerous thing, not only to you but to others as well.  This field of study is not for everyone, so please be honest with us and yourself!  

If you live in Rhode Island, Eastern Massachusetts or Eastern Connecticut and feel you have the time to commit plus a genuine interest in actively participating in serious on-going paranormal research, follow the link below to the application. You will be contacted with further information regarding an interview with the group membership once we have received your application.  Be certain to fill out your application completely to insure we know whom it is we are being contacted by.  Applications received incomplete will be discarded without notification.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR MAIL-IN APPLICATION