Heavy is the Head... An Example of Guild Politics

[livewire82]

Well Remi being a guild member i agree with most of this some 100% and some i don't agree with i really think the problems need to be dealt with just as they have been in the past weeks ending with " we'll miss them " plain and simple we are here to have fun not to listen to the kids making wedding dates and places for their characters, which i'm sure most people are laughing at by i've personally witnessed such convo's in our very our guild chat. But i also believe us guild officers you hand picked need a little more say when your not around, the only thing we are able to do is sit back watch this happen and act as nark's when you come on online to swing in and save the day with your lvl 40 toon. In the end your the only one that can remove members i completely understand this but as we respect you i think you need to do the same for us. as for the new guidelines i spoke with you about this 1 week ago and basically felt like i was brushed off with my idea's which drove me to speak with other officers during a online meeting about leaving if things didn't soon change for the better.

[RemiBoncoeur]

Originally Posted by livewire82

Well Remi being a guild member i agree with most of this some 100% and some i don't agree with i really think the problems need to be dealt with just as they have been in the past weeks ending with " we'll miss them " plain and simple we are here to have fun not to listen to the kids making wedding dates and places for their characters, which i'm sure most people are laughing at by i've personally witnessed such convo's in our very our guild chat. But i also believe us guild officers you hand picked need a little more say when your not around, the only thing we are able to do is sit back watch this happen and act as nark's when you come on online to swing in and save the day with your lvl 40 toon. In the end your the only one that can remove members i completely understand this but as we respect you i think you need to do the same for us. as for the new guidelines i spoke with you about this 1 week ago and basically felt like i was brushed off with my idea's which drove me to speak with other officers during a online meeting about leaving if things didn't soon change for the better.

Well, a response to this is likely required, and not just optional...



Let's start with... some wisdom, and then use it as a springboard.



"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

While the previous conflicts within this guild have ended with warnings or ejections, this reactionary way of keeping things balanced cannot hope to withstand growth. While this is a game, and the primary issue is to have fun,
there must be a sense of fair play and order. As such, a new way of conducting guild affairs is required.



"You can only be young once. But you can always be immature."

Back in the day... kids played house. They had tea parties and dolls and... then the electronic age came through and dispatched all that. Now they play MMORPGS designed for their demographic. AND... They play house. Who am I, as an adult sitting in on their game in their designated space, to tell them "grow up and kill undead pirates or something?"

At the same time, I understand that a balance needs to be reached in regards to flooding guild chats with unnecessary info. The plans currently underway to overhaul the administration of this guild should effectively make this a moot point.



"Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate."

I apologize if you felt "brushed off" after our two meetings where I listened to your concerns. That certainly was not my intent. At the time, however, I really wasn't in a position to make the changes you suggested. In the VERY near future, you'll once again get a chance to give your opinion along with all of the officers in the guild, on behalf of the guild.



"He who does not fear death cares naught for threats."

One last thing... you're always welcome to leave if you feel I don't do a good job leading this guild. Just don't expect threats of it to faze me. I respect you, the other officers, and every member in this guild... and I expect as much in return - and not followed by "BUT..."



ALSO, thank you to the guild members who have read this post, but chose to comment to me personally rather than post - your feedback has also been appreciated!

[Chris]

this is really cool

[Kaionai]

Originally Posted by Chris

this is really cool

what's so cool about it? i feel like im reading a book.....


As i can see, Remi's rule is "my way or the highway" either good or bad, depends how abusive it gets.

[DarthChaosSky]

I agree with your idea of an "Iron Fist". It is time to pull the reigns which you hold in your hands. There is no time to be wasted. If you do not act soon, the Faction leaders will most likely try to influence the others in the guild toward their own devious purposes. A strong leader; it is what a guild desires. They want to be separate? So be it. You hold the power in your hands. Use it wisely.

[Whitedog]

If you're not privy to the Charter he says he's is going to implement, how in the world can you know if it is 'his way or the highway?'

All he's said is that he's going to introduce a statutory system so that the desired order of things is visible to all of his members. If a Guildmaster of a growing guild does not implement order, his guild will fall apart. Don't know how you can fault someone for trying to take responsible steps towards a reasonable amount of order, and subsequently, stability.

[nikki sonador]

Originally Posted by Kaionai

what's so cool about it? i feel like im reading a book.....


As i can see, Remi's rule is "my way or the highway" either good or bad, depends how abusive it gets.

I have stood quietly and read the posts but after reading Kaionai's opinion I feel I must give mine on a few of their points. - takes out the soapbox -

1. I must disagree with the 1st statement. I enjoyed reading Remi's post immensely. The eloquency, grammar and punctuation of the text was a breath of fresh air in the "kewl ima guna go" era. Still waiting for that great American Novel Remi!

2. You make your conclusions based on what? Obviously the post explains the endeavour to deal with the dissent amongst the guild by implementing a charter. Rules are a part of life sometimes you may not agree with them but that is certainly no reason to assume someone is abusive. Imagine the chaos without law and order. For the record I have never been treated with abuse or disrespect from Remi. I also enjoyed Remi's reference to the kids. A harsh heavy handed "Adult Dictator"? I think not
- steps off soap box-

[Davy]

I completely agree. I have had this happen recently and it is RIDICULOUSLY annoying. Especially when one of my top officers left. They didn't tell me, and they were, supposedly, lied to. This is what peeves me about this game - if you aren't online 24/7, there is no telling what your guild members might do.

[Maximvs]

Remi - this is a very good read for ALL growing guilds.

I believe there comes a time in all guilds, where fractions begin to happen - when it becomees the mature vs. immature and the independant vs. the needy. A young player can act mature and an old act like a crybaby. There are players in a guild you may hear from once a week, and others clinging to you with evey move you make.

This is an online game which you do not see other people (in real life or otherwise) and some guild members may never be seen (due to time zones and commitments). Full Democracy is a good thing in the real world - but not in a game world (especially in this one where the Chat System is of poor design at best, and Rank Levels are limited to only three levels of Master, Officer or Member - possibly in a more multi-tiered system could more Voting / Decision process take place among more members).

So, all Guilds should read this thread - Young Guilds who currently are a collection of just mature persons, or even a collection of just clingers, should read carefully and the guildmaster make the rules before it issues become 'out of hand'.

Best of luck to you and your Guild Remi *nods*

And take note eveyone, like Rome, any major power can topple... it is the williness to act to save an empire that makes the difference before it is too late.

[DarthChaosSky]

Speaking of grammar, spelling, and punctuation...

Originally Posted by nikki sonador

I have stood quietly and read the posts but after reading Kaionai's opinion I feel I must give mine on a few of their points. - takes out the soapbox -

1. I must disagree with the 1st statement. I enjoyed reading Remi's post immensely. The eloquency (Not a word), grammar and punctuation (Comma missing) of the text was a breath of fresh air in the "kewl ima guna go" era. Still waiting for that great American Novel Remi!

2. You make your conclusions based on what? Obviously the post explains the endeavour (Possible misspelling unless you live in the U.K. If you live in the U.S., it should be endeavor.) to deal with the dissent amongst the guild by implementing a charter. Rules are a part of life sometimes you may not agree with them but that is certainly no reason to assume someone is abusive (Run-on sentence). Imagine the chaos without law and order. For the record I have never been treated with abuse or disrespect from Remi. I also enjoyed Remi's reference to the kids. A harsh heavy handed "Adult Dictator"? (Fragment.) I think not (Punctuation.)
- steps off soap box-

Returning to the subject at hand, I still do agree with the creator if this thread.