Hello Everyone!!!!Happy New Year to all of youThere has been a number of you that have expressed that you like it when I update you on what happened at the last meeting. I will do my best to get this out with in a week after the meeting each month.Want to start out by thanking all of you that came to the 1st meeting of the year! Looks like we are off to a good start!Want to wish a warm welcome to the new members this year as well. We are looking forward to 2007 with you!.1st order of business was to discuss membership for 2007.The fees have been lowered!! Yay!$40 for the 1st year members$25 for returning membersKeep in mind the following if you are wanting to be a paid member:ONLY paid members are invited to private investigations set up by WIPS.(teams are picked on a next in line rotational basis)ONLY paid members have access to the WIPS library-see the message board for a listing of book andmagazine titlesIF you are a paid member and have never been on an investigation ghost hunting 101 is required before you can attend one. (Our group is serious about investigations and this is not for thrill seekers)Participation is a requirement for this group. We expect to see you at meetings and to participate in the meetings as well. We understand that not everyone can make it toALL meetings but a sincere effort is required. We are trying to accomodate people by changing meeting days and times as well.All members are being asked to to 1 presentation during the year.A minimum of 10 minutes not more then 45 minutes. A list of topics willbe madeavaliable to allor you can use your own ideas are welcome!.You can talk about anything from equipment, types of hauntings,demons etc...Please contact me andlet me know what month you would like to schedule your topic.RSVP to all meetings,training and investigations please. This is for emergency and common courtesy purposes.For those of you that do not think you can do the above you are welcome to be a hobbyist member and attend meetings. You will be included in all open to the public outings and investigations.If any further questions regarding membership and what is expected please contact me.The future meeting dates so far are as follows:Wednesday 02/21/07at7-9pm at Panera Bread in Fox River Grove IL.Saturday 03/24/07at 5pm until? at my home in Harvard IL. (We hope to see more of theWisconsinmembers at this one since it is closer and week nights do not work for many of you due to the travel time) I will give my address and directions when you RSVP.The chat dates have been reduced to once per month due to a drop in interest.The next chat dates are scheduled on 01/25/07, 02/08/07 and 03/08/07 at 7pm until you are done chatting! Access thru the WIPS message board.Please utilize the message board to communicate with the rest of the group. This is a tool and something fun that your membership help pay for. We are always encouraging new threads and discussion!A special thanks to new member Dusting for his presentation on the equipment he uses on an investigation. We look forward to being a more educated and equipped group with his help!I am working on an open to the public paid investigation at the Rhode Center For the Arts in Kenosha WI. More details as they become avaliable.Their web site iswww.rhodeopera.comfor those interested.We discussed the upcoming private investigation on 02/03/07 inGreen Bay Wisconsin. The team has been selected and we will give a complete update in the February meeting. This one should be pretty interesting!One of our members Carol B will be attending Ghost Stock 4 in the beginning of Feb and will be giving us an update on that in the Feb meeting. Thanks Carol!Mark our group Medium will be holding a workshop on 02/24/07 please see the message board for complete details. This would be under chit chat on the board.I passed around information on a few Paranormal Conferences happening on theEast coast. See the message board for info on that if interested. Under news articles.I believe I covered the important things from the meeting. If not email meme and let me know. As new information pops up I will update you all!Thanks to all and lets have a great 2007!Hugs,Chris B and Ann BWIPS