|
We are a group of paranormal investigators that take what we do seriously. We are devoted to documenting, researching
and helping clients anyway we can. The cost for our service is nothing more than a Thank You. All research and investigation
costs are covered by our members. None of the members are paid for what they do, they all volunteer because they want
to understand the paranormal. We are an inclusive group that tries to build bridges between paranormal and historical groups.
TEPS Members enjoy working with their community by helping with:
The Cascade Geographic Society: Setting up
Booths at fairs or conferences (see link to left).
Training, giving presentations (see link to left).
Assisting
the Spirit Walks in Oregon City (see link to left).
Cemetery Cleanup and classes for safety as well as researching
the cemetery.
Our most enjoyable projects is Sanders Cemetery. Sanders Cemetery is an old family cemetery that has
been abandoned. Many of the headstones are missing or broken. Fences have fallen and rusted. There are an estimated 12-15
graves that are currently unaccounted for. One of the burial sites is a Civil War veteran. Members spend hours during the
spring, summer and fall working on Sanders. As you can guess weeds, ivy and other vegetation continue to grow year around.
During the winter many will continue researching Sanders by going to the library or anywhere else they can to find what they
can. Talk to any who have spent any time out at Sanders and you will see a sense of pride. Because of our relentless pursuit
to keep Sanders as nice as we possibly can, we were featured in an article in the October 2006 issue of Portland Monthly Magazine.
Click on the link on the left for more information on the Sanders Cemetery Project.
Members of TEPS are constantly
building bridges between groups that are trying to preserve history, like Cascade Geographic Society, or do research on the
paranormal. We enjoy working with other groups. We have been known to help a new team get started. Cost for this service is
again free. We are not in this to make money, but establish groups and teams anyone can count on. We also help to develop
teams we can rely on to help with investigations out of our area.
Members have co-hosted the Rose City Paranormal
Conference for the last 2 years. This year we teamed with West Coast Paranormal Investigations. At this conference we have
a wonderful group of speakers for everyone. Workshops are available for everyone and we have been trying to keep this free
to the public. Speakers have been donating their time. Displays and venders rent their table to help cover the cost of this
conference. All the groups who participate seem to really enjoy sharing experiences and working towards understanding the
paranormal together. This is also another way we can find groups who we can trust to handle investigations out of our area.
TEPS members have traveled long distances to help clients. We are happy to provide the service. We will, however, refer
an investigation to another group that may be closer. We have found that contacting groups in the area involved may be more
helpful to our clients. Local groups often know more about the local history and have local contacts for information. Our
number one goal is assisting the client. If that means giving an investigation to another group that is what we will do.
In
the same vane, if we find someone that is interested in the paranormal we will find out where they live and refer them to
the closest paranormal group. Although we are always looking for good people to work with, we know that travel time and gas
expenses often keep people form being involved. We want to have connections with other groups and helping them grow is one
way to do it.
Members enjoy helping other groups get established in the TEPS family, but TEPS does have strong protocols.
No New Chapter of TEPS is established without their understanding of our by-laws, rules and expectations. We have a very strict
code of conduct. Privacy is a very big issue with TEPS. We do not ask our clients to sign contracts prohibiting other groups
from investigating. At times we will call in another groups to verify our findings independently.
All of our members
are interviewed before becoming a member of TEPS. This will take time as we do take allot of time training new members. Through
this process we are able to find members who will be an asset to TEPS and become part of the TEPS Family. New Officers of
New Chapters also go through this process and we won’t open a new chapter unless their officers have spent several
months involved in TEPS and usually longer. Monthly reports must be sent to our HQ each month letting us know how each group
is doing. These reports include investigations. Our Executive Board decides when interested individuals are ready to establish
a TEPS Chapter, if a request is made.
Chapter Presidents meet with the executive board at least 4 times a year. The
Executive Board members are made up of the Founding Members and Officers of TEPS. This is where we will update forms, enlist
new by-laws or address issues from the membership. Members of TEPS know they are welcome to go to any Chapter Meeting.
All
Investigations require a final report to the Client & Home office. The president of each chapter will review these reports
before they are sent on. We double check these reports to make sure our clients are happy with the job TEPS members have done
for them. We also want to make sure that something wasn't missed during an investigation.
All Chapters do charge minimal
member dues. This helps cover the cost of supplies & the website.
All of the TEPS Members have a strong sense
of pride. The TEPS reputation is very important to them. Members have found that the longer they are involved in TEPS the
more they learn and develop.
|
