Getting permission via email

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Vingamel

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I've been researching a lot of old schools and churches, and decided to try my hand at asking for permission via email. Most of these places have a website that provides a pastor or principal's email address, and I'm much better with the written word than the spoken word. Whaddaya know? I'm batting four for four, all yes, and a lot of interest in what I might find.

Now I say "I", but what I did was say that my young daughters will be helping me (true), and I assume this might help. Sort of like when a single man takes a puppy for a walk in a park--a great way to meet the ladies, I hear. Also, I have offered to take pictures of anything I might find so the pastor or principal can share it with the congregation or students. One principal of a school that's been around for almost 90 years sounds almost ready to run out and buy her own metal detector.

Anyway, I figured most of you have tried this, but wanted to share with you that it appears to work well, at for schools and churches.
 

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Just one question. You said the principal of a school that's been around for about 90 years. Are you referring to the principal or the school? LOL HH
 

Geez Stoney, can't you remember how old some of your principles were? I had one, she was in the low 150's for sure!

I like the idea of an e-mail to secure permission. Seems you could convey a positive message much better than the time it takes most people to hang up on the phone. If you can't meet someone for permission, I'd go along with the e-mail as the second choice as phone calls seem to garner as much or more a negative response than any other method with the possible exception of postal mail.
 

Yeah, the principal is 90 years old. I think the school is just 90 days old, brand new.

Hardy har har har, good grammar catch!
 

And....if anyone asks, you have the email to prove you have permission! I have found most people who say yes don't relly cotton to taking the time to sit down and give you written permission which is what I prefer. JIM
 

I like the email approach as an initial point of contact. The recipient has time to read the email carefully, and to think about it without somebody staring at them, waiting for an answer. If they want to ask questions, they can do so without feeling brash, because they aren't looking somebody dead in the face. Sort of like how people will be more blunt on internet bulletin boards than in person, eh? Anyway, since they can feel more blunt, instead of just saying no, they can ask what they really want to ask.
 

I think it's a great idea; I have begun this myself, and true, it's in writing.? I have done this with the small town's parks and such.? Great idea.? One town said no, and when they did, I e-mailed for a city ordinance or specific reulation against detecting.? They then replied that there were none on the books, and changed their minds.? I got to detect.? Again, great idea.
 

This is funny that you brought this up,i've e-mailed several city halls,schools,county parks and a chamber of commerce or two.I'm batting about .500,not bad if you ask me.I'm waiting on a couple of responses as we speak.I too have been rejected and asked for local or county ordinances prohibiting such activities.So far, none of the rejects have answered me back.What do you recommend in this case?Should I just e-mail them on a daily basis until I get a reply? ??? :-\
 

If they don't answer back after a week, give them a phone call.
 

You know, another nice thing about getting email permission is that you can just show a copy to anyone who might hassle you. That would shut them down pretty fast. I'm starting to warm up to this idea! Thanks, Vingamel!
 

I agree L-S , Face to Face, They have a harder time saying no. .? ? ? ? ? ?My preferred way is to, Wait till their outside, then walk up to them & ask who ownes the Adjorning Property. after they tell me, I tell them why I asked and then go from there. A SMILE while you ask about the history of the area, has never faild me yet. Letters have NEVER worked for me? :(? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?when it comes to schools, I go in & talk to the Principal. at Churches, I walk in when I see Cars & ask the first person I see. I'v been turned down twice by? Preachers. The First one said something about having a hard time "Winterizing" the Property ? so I figured that was his way of a Blow-Off, The Second, told Me he didn't think His Congrigation would want anything they lost Found ? .
 

Omni' , You havn't seen Me? ;D? My hair is half way down my back, & when I don't put it back, with a rubber band, the wind makes it look like Philis Diller, with long hair? :D It's in the "smile". just be friendly walk up & say " HI, I'm -------- from ........ I was wondering if you know...". , or, "? HI, I'm ...... & I'm from ....... I'm Into Metal Detecting and? .........." , or" HI, ................... I heard there used to be a ................ Here & I was Wondereing if, You know anything about it."
 

Same here with the long hair. ?Ain't lost any of my hair to speak of, and just found my first grey one last Monday. ?I have to keep it in a pony-tail if there's any wind to speak of, or I look like Cousin It.

Another advantage of email over face-to-face: Time. ?I've just secured permission of several places, all within a mile of each other, and I did it while I was at work. ?Now during the nice weather, I don't want to be "wasting time" knocking on doors. ?If I can be doing that, I could instead be out detecting. ?So, during hours when I can't be detecting, I can be securing those permissions. ?Print all the emails and stick them in one of your vest pockets. ?Plan your outting based on groups of permissions. ?So, if I've got a whole group of permissions from the Fairmount neighborhood, then I know that's my next outting. ?Inbetween outtings, I can be rounding up my permissions for the next target area. ?

So, while you're knocking on doors, or asking who you should speak with (he's not here today, come back tomorrow), I'm already out waving my detector around.
 

Generic email

Omnicognic, this isn't really all that generic, and I think you should tailor each email for both the site and the recipient. Including the code of ethics shows that you at least know right from wrong.

Dear Principal of St. Ann?s,

I am a local history buff and metal detector enthusiast. Recently, I have been doing a lot of research on the Fairmount area, and would like to ask your permission for my young daughters and I to metal detect on the school grounds of St.Ann?s during non-class hours. As a member of the Federation of Metal Detector & Archeological Clubs, I abide by the Code of Ethics for this hobby http://www.fmdac.com/

Since my daughters are both in school, it would have to be weekends, or during the summer. Normally when we detect on private property, we also pick up any small trash we find, just as a thank you to the property owner. We would do the same at your school?s grounds. Anything we find of interest, we can take pictures of and send to you if you?d like to share it with your students.

I look forward to your reply, and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Regards,

(your name, address and daytime phone number here)


Code of Ethics

I WILL respect private property and do no treasure hunting without the owner's permission.
I WILL NOT destroy property, buildings or what is left of ghost towns and deserted structures.
I WILL NOT litter.
I WILL leave gates as found.
I WILL NOT contaminate wells, creeks or other water supplies.
I WILL fill ALL excavations, including beaches and in water.
I WILL NOT tamper with signs, maintenance facilities or equipment.
I WILL appreciate and protect our heritage of natural resources, wildlife, and private property.
I WILL use thoughtfulness, consideration and courtesy at all times.
I WILL protect my hobby, and act as a good will ambassador at all times.
Before searching public sites, always check laws, ordinances or regulations, that may govern your search.
I WILL Never trespass. Always get permission.
I WILL Never leave open holes.
Report the discovery of items of significant historical value to a local historian or museum in accordance with the latest legislation.
If live ammunition or lethal objects are discovered, mark the site and inform authorities.
I WILL Be an ambassador for the metal detecting hobby.
 

Thanx Vin, while not generic, it is a great outline/example! The code of ethics is really helpful and great to have it spelled out that way!(I've always followed them, but never seen them written down!)Thanks again! :D
 

Loop swinger,

Nope, I didn't see anybody speak badly of permission via email. Right on, you can't get email permission for most places. One of these days, though, you'll be able to click on an online map and find out the owner of that piece of land, and their email address.
 

This is my generic example for e-mail. I'm sure person to person works well, and it has worked for me, but I like the email approach for city property,and it's working for me. Here it is, short and sweet:

My name is ____________and I participate in recreational metal detecting. I would like to know if there are any laws restricting this activity in the city park. I will not damage the ground, I will pick up any trash I come across, and the only thing I will leave behind will be my footsteps. With the possibility of nice weather this weekend, I hope to spend time in the park, but I do not want to break any laws. Thank you for your attention in this matter.
 

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