I also want to make sure that my paragraph was clear. I’m not trying to say that someone without a degree can’t make a great investigator. I don’t want to see ANYONE left behind. Everyone with the right intentions and a passion for the field can be great at some role within a group, but the role should be based upon experience (both within the paranormal field and outside of it), not on who you know. So, if we’re going to talk about regulations and creating a group to oversee them, then perhaps we could also set up a group to aid people who are trying to get into this field.

I hope that I didn’t offend anyone. That was most certainly not my intention!

Respectfully,
Robin

I like the idea of a “Good Housekeeping” seal and Terri is right. Let everyone participate in the field, but if real research or client cases are conducted, experienced teams should be the first considered. Back to my first paragraph, experienced teams should also make efforts to mentor new folks, as well. We don’t want a glass ceiling in the field, do we?

TAPS network is impressive in its idea and global in its expansion. It intends to provide the “Good House Keeping” seal. It could be more effective in regulating its own family teams once they get status and creating networks with non-TAPS teams in their area. Some do that, but others don’t. So the idea of “paranormal families” are great and that may be on way to work.

Tj

I also hardly think that the paranormal field is at risk of becoming “elitist”. I have a Master’s degree in Physics, with all of the coursework for a Ph.D. and have been unsuccessfully trying to join a reputable group for 2 years. I also have 10 years of experience in R & D, as well as abundant experience in dealing with customers who expect the utmost in professionalism, quality and perfection of the product (the US NAVY). Since I have used some of the equipment on previous projects, including an infrared camera, I am already one step ahead of someone who has never had any experience. I have a lot that I could offer this field in general, and a group in particular. Yet 2 years later, I’m still trying to find a way in. It seems as though this field, at the moment, is less about WHAT you know, and more about WHO you know. Being a scientist, I’m very familiar with creating a hypothesis, doing research, writing scientific papers, and giving presentations to my peers and customers. Why is it so much harder to imagine giving me a shot at this field than it is someone who barely made it through high school? Perhaps we should aim the regulation towards hiring practices, as well. Discrimination is frowned upon in every other field. Why not this one?

So perhaps an open meeting that anyone is allowed to attend is the PLACE to discuss regulations.