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Code of Conduct and Bylaws Revised: 12/20/2009. Subject to change without notice.
1.
During investigations, members are expected to conduct
themselves in a professional manner which including being respectful of
your
fellow investigators, being mindful of using profane language, and not
engaging
in practical jokes or horseplay at any time during an investigation. 2. Alcohol or Illegal
drug usage before or during an
investigation is grounds for immediate dismissal. 3. Members may not use their own equipment unless
authorized by the Director. Cameras will use WCSS flash memory cards and all
evidence gathered including used memory cards will be returned to the Director
at the end of every investigation. 4. WCSS members are
required to read, understand, and sign
the Release from Liability and Confidentiality forms before
participating in
any investigations. 5.
During an investigation, members will respect the
property of our client. It is each individual’s responsibility to
replace or
repair any item they damage on an investigation. Cemeteries, buildings,
houses,
or any other location that we investigate will be treated with respect
and left
undisturbed
6. WCSS prohibits all
members from performing freelance
investigations, either as a WCSS representative or as an individual
without
authorization from the Director.
7.
No WCSS member is permitted to bring guests to an
investigation unless there is prior approval from the Director or
. If a guest is permitted to attend, they will be expected to
comply
fully with our by-laws, rules, and procedures or they will not be
permitted to
attend. Any guests must be 18 years old or older.
8. Only smoke in
designated areas and always away from the
investigation area and only on designated break periods or
down-time. Be mindful of non-smoking team member’s
rights. 9.
Any member who does not attend meetings, assigned investigations,
or assigned evidence review at least 65% (cumulative) of the time
without a
valid waiver from the Director or will be placed on
probation or dismissed.
10. Members who are
absent from any pre-investigation
briefings (if deemed necessary and scheduled) will not be permitted to
participate in that investigation. 12. WCSS members are
required to keep all client
information and locations confidential, unless the client has signed a
release
form and permission has been granted by the Director to disseminate
this
information outside of the group. Members are not allowed to speak with
the
press or media about WCSS activities, clients, members, or
investigations or
otherwise represent WCSS without authorization from the Director. 13.
Each member will be required to follow proper
pre-investigation, investigation, and post-investigation procedures and
take
direction from the Lead Investigator while on an investigation. If the
Lead
Investigator is unavailable, the Senior Investigator or designated lead
member
will provide direction. 14. All evidence
collected as a result of WCSS investigations
becomes property of the WCSS. Evidence may not be posted, transmitted,
or
reproduced in any form except on the official website without
authorization
from the Director. Usage of the logo or group name for any commercial
or public
ventures is strictly prohibited unless authorized by the Director. The
group
name and logo may be used by the members for their own personal use for
t-shirts, business cards, hats, etc. 15.
WCSS only investigates paranormal activity. At no time
shall any member of the team make promises to a client to remove or
otherwise
excise entities from a location. If a blessing is requested by the
client and
we have trained staff available to do so, the lead investigator will
make a
determination based on the situation and circumstances.
Members will not refer clients or make
suggestions on how to remove entities. If a recommendation is to be
made, it
will be made by the Director at the
post-investigation
client briefing. 16. Safety is the number
one concern. If you acting in an
unsafe manner, you may be asked to leave the investigation area.
Repeated
infractions or willful endangerment of others may lead to dismissal
from the
group. 17. The initiation fee and first monthly dues are required
upon acceptance into the group. Monthly dues are to be paid no later than the
1st of each month. Dues paid after
the 5th of the month unless otherwise excused will incur a $5.00 late fee. Dues
more than 5 days late will result in the member being placed on pre-dismissal
status. After the 15th of the month, the member will be dismissed. Leaves of
absence or hardship concessions may be granted on a case-by-case basis by the
Director. Dues and fees are non-refundable. If a member leaves the group for any
reason and is allowed to return to the group at a later date then the member
must repay the initiation fee at the current rate and any outstanding dues that
are owed in order rejoin the group. Any members rejoining will be placed on
probation for 90 days after their rejoin date. 18. Unless required by
the investigation, members should
keep contact with the client to an absolute minimum. Members are not
allowed to
comment to the client about any aspect of the investigation until the
investigation is complete and the client is officially briefed on the
findings by the Director or designated personnel. 19.
No firearms or weapons of any kind are allowed to be
brought into an investigation. Leatherman tools or pocket knives are
allowed as
long as they are safely secured.
20. Cell phones or other
non-authorized electronics such as
MP3 players or radios must be shut off during an investigation. These
items may
only be used during designated breaks and away from the investigation
area. A
cel phone number will be a provided to members during the
pre-investigation
briefing for emergencies use only. 21.
Members will take direction from their respective
section managers except during an investigation when all personnel
report
directly to the Lead Investigator.
22. WCSS does not charge
a fee for investigations it
performs. No WCSS members may accept money from a client or other
source for
their work on an investigation or with the group. The group does accept
voluntary, unsolicited donations. 23.
Members are required to respond within 24 hours to
emails sent to them by WCSS members and management which require a
reply. Members
are required to adhere to this requirement 100% of the time. 24. Members are required
to care for and properly maintain
the equipment belonging to the group. If an item is broken or damaged
from
misuse, carelessness, or abuse the member will be expected to repair or
replace
the item. Each case involving a broken piece of equipment, it will be
carefully
reviewed and investigated to ensure fairness to the member. The
Technical
Manager is responsible for the accountability of all equipment on an
investigation. |
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The West Coast Spectre Society is a paranormal investigation group located in Portland, Oregon.
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