College Paranormal Society

Urizen

Hey guys. I'm in the process of setting up a Paranormal society in my university. I was wondering, does anyone have any ideas on events we could do, or any guest speakers that would be interested?

Any suggestions will be hugely appreciated. I have ideas of my own, but nothing compares to an informed public opinion.

Ruth KPS

PM sent:D

Riamfada

What university are you in? If it is UCD I will most certainly be able to help you. Firstly however your going to need a few hundred signatures to get it before the societies council in any of the universities in Ireland.

Urizen

It's DCU. We don't need hundreds, the actual requirement is 20. I'm working on getting 40 though, just to show the interest. We have a sci-fi society already, the main issue seems to be showing that we aren't the same as them. Though we obviously will be.

6th

Well myself, Grimes above and a few others (one a DCU alumni) orgaise the Dublin Paranormal Convention so if we can help at all just let us know. Getting speakers aint too hard depending on what you want but look at producing a podcast where you can get people on the phone. Events wise theres plenty to do from experiments to trips to locations with reputations for being haunted.

As for Paranormal and Sci-Fi being the same ...... I'll try to ignore that :pac:

Riamfada

Well if I were doing a parasoc personally id have a series of paranormal speakers in to deal with all topics of the paranormal, i'd show movies, two or three investigations with an established group (may I recommend the PIGS I hear they are good), a paranormal ball of some sort, a paranormal table quiz but make sure you have a decent committee and a committee to hand over at the end of the year or else you are boned.

I ran a couple of societies in UCD and the finance issue was the hardest, hence the table quiz fundraisers. Luckily I ran y society at a massive profit. Im just that good.

Urizen

I'm already running a society, so I have that experience. I won't be getting snowed under by work, basically. I was considering a table quiz myself. We'll be a fairly cheap society, as far as I can tell though. So finance shouldn't be a massive problem either.

Ha, I know they aren't the same. As did Sci-Fi's chair. It's getting those who aren't involved in either to realise the difference that's the problem.

The issue with screenings is that we have to remain firmly in supposed fact. So something like, for example, 'The X-Files' would be considered sci-fi and therefore not our area, while 'Beyond Belief' or something like that would probably be ok. It's a fine line. Luckily, I have the support of the Sci-fi chairperson, so that's all well and good, and we could probably do joint events.

I was considering trips, but being set up in the middle of the semester has drawbacks. We can't apply for a lot of money at this time. So trips would be very local, and cost low. I was considering something like the Ghost Bus to get people interested, moving on to experiments such as basic Kirlian photography or psychic workshops. Any other ideas, much appreciated.

6th, would it be ok if I mentioned the support of the Paranormal convention when I apply to have ParaSoc made official? I think that'd help us out.

6th

Well I'd have to talk to the rest of the team about mentioning our support.

That said on a personal level I'd be more than happy to help out in any way I can. I'd love to see a decent PAraSoc in every college in the country.

With regards to The X-Files etc I think they are very relevant to the area. Paranormal PopCulture is an area of massive interest to me, discussing elements of fiction and how they mirror real experiences and phenomenon.

I can think of a few speakers straight off who'd be interested is speaking. I had a taste of it a couple of weeks back in UCD and its something I'd be interested in trying out again.

I'll talk to the guys about stuff so drop me a mail and I'll get back to you.

Whats your timeline for this? i.e Deadline?

Urizen

I'd like to submit the petition and constitution by Wednesday. It'd be great if we were set up as soon as possible. That said, there's no real rush, that's just my excitement to get this off the ground talking.

If this goes ahead, we would be looking to do as much as possible. So pretty much everything we can do, we will do.

stormkeeper

I was going to once consider setting up a paranormal society at my university, but unfortunately, I'm no longer studying there, so I cannot do this. However, I do wish you luck with your society

Riamfada

My society spent a weekend in Ross Castle and it was very cheap. Dirty and cold, but cheap.

Ziycon

Grimes wrote: »

My society spent a weekend in Ross Castle and it was very cheap. Dirty and cold, but cheap.

Its much cleaner now!;)

DANNY22XX

what happens after you leave college do you continue researching if you need anything im sure we can all help here

Riamfada

Ziycon wrote: »

Its much cleaner now!;)

I still have scars from the fleas in the beds. Next time Im going down Im staying in a tent

Urizen

DANNY22XX wrote: »

what happens after you leave college do you continue researching if you need anything im sure we can all help here

Well, this has interested me for years, so obviously I'll keep it on. I just wrote up the society constitution last night, and made sure to keep a 'graduate membership' aspect to it.

Urizen

I ressurect this to announce that the DCU ParaSoc is officially go! So anyone who wants to run workshops, give talks or whatever just PM me.

Thanks to everyone who gave their support, it really helped.

DANNY22XX

any help dont be afraid to ask

6th

Congrats!

Dropped you a Pm, will do what I can.

Traze

Well done Urizen,
If The Paranormal Research Association Of Ireland can be of any help for you just drop us a pm.

Ziycon

Congrats Urizen, best of luck with it.

Urizen

Well, I'm in the middle of trying to find sponsorship atm. Doing the usual thing there, we put the organisation's name on all our posters and our e-mails in exchange for something else (concessions, prizes for competitions, etc.)

Our website is being built now, I'll be posting a link when it's complete. It'll give a rundown of what we hope to achieve, what events we'll be running and the like.

Also, just a thought. Are we the first Paranormal Society in an Irrish University? It was mentioned to me there today, wanted to verify.

Ruth KPS

Iv no idea, however you can rule ITT off the list...as Im sure they have never had one.

Ziycon

Ruth KPS wrote: »

Iv no idea, however you can rule ITT off the list...as Im sure they have never had one.

Nope they never have!

Riamfada

Ucd does not have one

6th

Grimes wrote: »

Ucd does not have one

But didnt we take them on an investigation before?

Riamfada

6th wrote: »

But didnt we take them on an investigation before?

Did we? When was this...

6th

Wicklow Gaol ... when we recruited the big guy?

Urizen

My only real interest is whether or not we can advertise that when we're recruiting, it's be nice to be groundbreaking.

Urizen

Man, I love resurrecting this thread!

Anyone want to offer expertise for some kind of talk on paranormal subjects? Whether it's debunking hoaxes, signs of hauntings or whatever, I'd love to bring someone in with experience.

PM me if you're interested. Hopefully you will be...

Urizen

Revived yet again to say that we now have 48 fully paid, active members and are looking to do stuff. PM me!

Riamfada

Urizen we are good to go

Urizen

Great stuff, PM me the full details and we'll start advertising it.

ScaryMary

Just to add me 2 cents, NUI Maynooth doesn't have one (although they have plenty of hauntings i.e. the room)

I think its a great idea, especially if you tap into popular things like readings and dreams etc.

Might be a cool idea to invite a good psychic to the campus to do readings for members, or organise a day trip to the 'mind body spirit' events.

Another spin could be to look at parapsychology and maybe contact the relevant organisations and see if you can get guest speaker.

Also you could tap into the 'twilight' crowd (if you wanted) and host events around mythologies like vampires/werewolves and have twilight included (sure that would attract a good few people)

maccored

Urizen wrote: »

Revived yet again to say that we now have 48 fully paid, active members and are looking to do stuff. PM me!

How much did they pay to join (just out of interest)?

Riamfada

maccored wrote: »

How much did they pay to join (just out of interest)?

College societies are usually about 2 euro per year.

Details of NUIM Societies Here

Urizen

It's €4 a year, but since we're only properly set up for 1 semester, it was €2. We've set associate lifetime membership at €20, but no takers yet...

stormkeeper

It'll take a while before people are going to consider committing for a long time.

Garseys

Urizen wrote: »

It's €4 a year, but since we're only properly set up for 1 semester, it was €2. We've set associate lifetime membership at €20, but no takers yet...

Oh I see what you did there.:pac:

I'm suprised how well the turnout for some of the events were so far. especially cold reading!

Riamfada

stormkeeper wrote: »

It'll take a while before people are going to consider committing for a long time.

Its a college society not a paranormal investigation group

Urizen

Exactly. Associate membership was just written in to our constitution. I don't think many societies get anyone at all...

Also, Garseys! About time you started plugging this, secretary boy.

stormkeeper

Grimes wrote: »

Its a college society not a paranormal investigation group

I know that but what I mean is that it still takes time before someone decides to commit to something for "life" People sometimes want to wait and see what happens before taking the plunge.

Riamfada

stormkeeper wrote: »

I know that but what I mean is that it still takes time before someone decides to commit to something for "life" People sometimes want to wait and see what happens before taking the plunge.

Take the plunge to what? There is no commitment Im not sure what your getting at

Urizen

Many thanks to Grimes and 6th for the epicness that was yesterday. You guys caused quite a stir, well done!

6th

Urizen wrote: »

Many thanks to Grimes and 6th for the epicness that was yesterday. You guys caused quite a stir, well done!

Was absolutely our pleasure and we'd be more than happy to get involved with yourselves at the drop of a hat. Heres hoping the other universities and colleges follow your example!

Riamfada

Yeah it was alot of fun and very enjoyable. Good bunch of people, looking forward to seeing you all again.

Urizen

Well. Semester over, new committee elected and next year's planning has begun. I've been re-elected as Chairperson, and am looking for interested parties to get involved.

We've got an introductory Reiki session, a trip to Prague, multiple paranormal related screenings and divination workshops 'on the cards' (sorry), among others. If anyone knows anyone interested in getting involved in the events of DCU Paranormal Society, or supporting us in any way, please PM me.

It'll be our first full year after the trial run of the past few months, we're looking to be HUGE and encourage more socs like this to set up. With the support of the Paranormal community we can get this subject back in the public eye, for all the right reasons.

So yeah. Our website is now up at www.dcuparanormal.com. Have a look. Comments, support, every little bit of help is appreciated.

DCU Paranormal Society - WE Are Out There

Riamfada

Any spare hoodies. Also I love your logo.

Urizen

Damn, if you had only asked 3 weeks ago... If you want one, we're anticipating putting another order in in October/November for the new members we'll get next semester. They turned out great.

Urizen

Ok, apparently there's a Paranormal soc in University of Ulster. Anyone have anything to back this up, links, info? I can't find anything, I want to know if DCUPS has been advertising falsely.

Garseys

Urizen wrote: »

Ok, apparently there's a Paranormal soc in University of Ulster. Anyone have anything to back this up, links, info? I can't find anything, I want to know if DCUPS has been advertising falsely.

Where did you hear this from?

Anyway we could always change it to "First of its kind in the Republic of Ireland"

anyway want to echo what Urizen said and say thanks to all who've supported us this year.

Urizen

A student in UU is friends with our new Ordinary Member, apparently he got a bit pissy. But I see no evidence for this, either from Google or my own people in UU. So I dunno. It could just be another Sci-Fi/Fantasy Society that got confused.