Everything you'd want to know about us!

P.R.I.S.M. stands for: Paranormal Research and Investigation Society of Manitoba.

Q) What is the motto or mission statement of the group (ie why was it
started, what does it hope to achieve?

A). Our motto is: Expect the Unexpected. We can't promise to show you a ghost, but we track anything from the realm of the unknown; ghosts, UFO's, even bigfoot, or the Lake Manitoba monster. If you've experienced something paranormal, or just want to learn about local ghosts and hauntings, this is Manitoba's group for you."

As to who we are, why it started, and what we hope to achieve: We are friendly normal every day people just like you, who love the unexplained, and the mystery of 'the other side'. Some people confuse "ghost hunters" as cultish, - that honestly isn't the case. We are the same people who sit beside you at work, we could be your homeroom teacher, your aerobics instructor, members on the PTA committee at school, your boss, your friend from church - and so on.

Getting together as a group to go on ghost hunts, tours, and investigations to supossed haunted locations who want to find proof one way or the other of "the other side" and experiencing it is also not only life changing and educational, but it's entertaining as well.

We meet up every third Tuesday of each month year round for our debate/discussion night at the University of Winnipeg. Set topics include things like "Are ghosts real, or do we invent them - create them in our minds?" "Past life hypnosis, is it possible?" "Are all orbs spirits?" etc...

As to the EVENTS, tours, places to visit, ghost hunts.. and so on; they are planned one month prior to each event; and we usually go to an average of aprox 3 places per month (on top of our monthly meet up at the U of W). depending on the weather, and season. Summer time is weekly events. Fall and Winter a bit less. We go on investigations, tours, and ghost walks..etc. All locations, times and and any extra info on it are posted on the message board on our website at the end of each month for the following month - which can be accessed by our members.

Q) How do you get those sites mostly - word of mouth?

A) Our event plannning committee consists of 3 of us; Joanne, and Bonnie and myself. Through research on haunted Manitoba places, and through members interests/input - we plan accordingly so that members get a chance to visit the haunted places they seem interested in, but also places that will WOW them paranormally whether it be it's haunted history, or through the location itself. Sometimes we go places that are interesting that we aren't even sure is haunted, and then come out of their with actual paranormal proof!!! We also have gone on just 'fun' outings, to places such as the Riel House, and corn roast. His coffin layed in the home for 2 days prior to his burrial, and it's interesting to see a historical home like that, and enjoy the corn roast, and bannok samples - and learn how to weave metis style. Sometimes the causual fun events turn up paranormal happenings too!


Q) Is your web site the only way people can get involved, is there
an organization email? What is the best way?

A) Our website address is: http://www.theprism.ca/

Our website is the best place to contact us, discuss with us, and to get the future events and plans from. If we're going to be doing it, it'll be on here.

We currently also post and email each other through our private personal emails which we can do from our website, or personal email accounts, and we discuss many different ideas and topics of interest on the forum board as well.

Many who become 'regulars' in the group, have also become close friends; and so many of us also daily communicate through 'group' emails on facebook. Yes... I said facebook. *chuckle* When someone wants to talk privately amongst themselves in matters they don't want to share on the message board (or have a question personally about an idea or question about the group, they usually email me privately), or who ever it is they want to talk with.. But lots is done through the message board as well, and we have great conversations going. The best way to get involved in our discussions and outings is to attend our monthly discussion topics. TONS is shared in those settings, and it's the best way to meet everyone and to feel a part of what it happening, and also for future planning of events, and ideas. It is a lot of fun!

We used to use meetup as our message board, but thanks to a wonderful software developer, Ken, he created this new website and message board for us - with our needs and interests in mind. Please note: this website is still being tweaked and worked on, and isn't in it's final launch yet. We are using what has been done thus far for communication and contact purposes. December of 2008 is when this website will be fully completed, and it's final product seen. We are really excited and proud of how far we've come!

Q) Who is the organizer of this group? I've started my column and said you are the coordinator, is that true?

A) Yes, it's true. But I couldn't do this all alone. I have amazing support and help from the event planning committee members, Joanne S. and Bonnie G. They have been so fabulous and have been so much help and have done so much for the group. I couldn't do it without them!

I'm blessed to have so many wonderful people in this group so willing to give of their time. We also have a committee of 9 members who vote on ideas and changes at private committee meetings (aprox once every 2 months) - so that no one feels like only one person is making the final decissions. It also helps when changes are put in place and announced that people know it was discussed with their committee and that decissions were made with the whole groups interest in mind, not just my own as organizer. This is a group effort, and we have a great group of people here, and we each all do our part in making this group what it is. Without them, this group wouldn't be what it is today.

Q

Q) What are some tips for ghost hunting newbies ie equipment?

A) There are some great devices out there... with hoity toity ghost tracking names attached to them... but we have found that over all it's the normal every day devices that are great too! Some ideas of things one can easily obtain that are found useful to bring along on a ghost hunt are:

* Common sense! ;) (don't leave it at home!)
* Paper and Pen - as written documentation is much easier to go back to figure out your findings and thoughts ...etc - then just your memory. :)
* Chalk to mark objects that seem to have 'activity'. (by drawing a circle around a 'set' object... if it moves when not looking... the location of the circle is a sure sign!)
* EMF reader (an awesome piece of equipment)
* More than one digital voice recorder
* More than one camcorder or video device
* Thermometer, to measure temp changes
* Infrared thermometer (for more accurate sudden changes.. if your able to be more expensive)
* Cameras
* Extra film if not using digital
* Extra batteries; for all equipment that requires them, (as spirits drain even the new batteries dry in equipment)
* Compass not only shows dirrection, but if a spirit or energy is present... the compass needle moves towards it!!
* Flash lights
* Candles... if all batteries end up drained (rare)
* First Aid Kit - if in the dark, one doesn't always stay on path... LOL
* Night vision equipment (again, if your able to go more expensive)

And above all: Respect for the place and area we are investigating.

Also an open mind. :) I think our mind and soul is the most important. Learn to listen to your spirit, as it can feel and sense so much more. People who go in expecting something to happen often look to hard, and miss so much, even all of it, or invent things that aren't really paranormal to begin with. On the other hand, people who go in all skeptical, usually experience nothing also, as they don't believe to begin with - OR when something does happen (perhaps a noise, or bang) - because they were so skeptical, they write it off instantly... instead of further examination to the cause. You can have all the best equipment, but if you have a closed mind - all the equipment in the world will do you no good. :)

It's also important to note.. that it's best in a group 10 or less per area, as a large group can cause confussion, or ruin the chance of a proper investigation and conclusions/findings.

Q) Warnings, protection?

A) Regardless of ones religion.. a prayer of protection before and after an investigation is important. As a group we've done a prayer of protection both before and after. Some of us do it personally on our own, but we've slowly been getting into the habit of doing it together as a group AFTER our event, before we leave. (also known as the Circle Prayer of Protection).

The other side is real... whether people have experienced it or not. People have had instances where spirits have tagged along back home with them.(and they didn't even believe to begin with... then voila!) It's also important to say a 'thank you' to any spirits that may be listening or present for allowing us in 'their space' before we leave our investigation behind. I personally also feel it important to let whatever may be around to know that they are to STAY where they are. As silly as that sounds... until you experience the other side first hand... you'll understand why thats important.

As to experiencing the other side on an investigation... you don't need to be a sensitive to feel them or experience the spirits. They are all around us... everyone of us. When going to a supossedly "known" haunted spot (where more than a few people have reported seeing or experiencing something) - that means that there is possibly a spirit(s) who stay in that area - where as others move around. When going to these places, stay alert, focused, but don't try too hard or become overly skeptical. By doing either of those two things you most likely will not know if or when a true paranormal experience is happening. Just remember that spirits do not have to make themselves known. Using scientific means usually captures something of them, rather than only hearing or seeing them with our earthly eyes. And if you can tune into your soul, and allow your soul to speak as well, you may know and feel they are there without even trying or using equipment (many call it the sixth sense) - regardless of the scientific equipment being used. But for documented proof, yes, equipment is needed. Just be possitive and keep your mind open, with the realization that you may or may not experience anything.

It's not like on TV... not every investigation turns up paranormal proof or something happens. :)

Q). What are the membership requirements if any?

A) 18 or older, (or with their parent(s) if they are atleast 16).

Because of the topics and nature of this group, I don't want minors tagging along to events. I don't want to get any phone calls from angry parents as to why I allowed their minor to go ghost hunting. *chuckle* I also don't want to be responsable for a minor, should they get hurt. (it's not dangerous - but life happens) :)

Other than that; Friendly and respectful people are always welcome. Our group is diverse with many different members. We have some sensitives who always feel the other side, and know when 'they' are close or around. We also have 2 mediums in the group, as well as spiritualist minister. We have people who have experienced the paranormal a lot, to others who perhaps experienced something only once. We also have members who believe but have never experienced anything, and others yet who don't believe at all, and just want to see if there really is more 'out there' than meets the eye. And lastly, some are part of this group as it's only just a topic they are interested in, and are in it for the knowledge they can take away from it.

As long as we all respect eachother... regardless of our abilities, or none at all... or whether we believe in 'ghosts' or not... we ALL have opinions and ideas on this subject that matter, and all are just as valuable and important as the next person.

Q) Are there membership fees?

A) We have a $10.00 a year membership due - (Payable each September), which pays for the website hosting fee. We are a non-profit group. That means no one in this group makes a dime, or pockets any money. Any extra monies given above the cost of the website through the membership fee goes strait back into the group for the Christmas party or an event paid for within the year, etc. That way all funds paid go back to the members! :) The money is payable only to our treasurer.

In closing, I think this group is blessed by each one of us here - as we all learn together and share our thoughts and suggestions, and as we venture out as a group with the knowledge that we all are valuable in this group, and really - we do all have a great time together!