So I wanted to say a lot more than what the message of the day could allow so I wrote up this quick little webpage to say it with.
Without vision the people perish. In communicating with you I have discerned and thusly established a few values which will outline the purpose and structure of our guild.
To provide all guild members with a friends network which will provide them with help and support as they adventure in the world of Azeroth. Nobody likes to play with someone who is greedy, dishonest, and sometimes adventures require a certain skill level. This guild will allow you to quickly connect with such individuals and to help others develop the skill to participate as well.
So how are we going to do this?
Characters will be established in the guild (move up ranks) by exhibiting the following characteristics:
The primary reason for creating this guild was to connect each of us with those that we have each played with and enjoy playing with because they are a good friendly character who participates, is honest, kind, etc. Hence character is the primary value of this guild. In order to even advance past the rank of Initiate you will need to prove your mettle and show that you will practice these qualities while playing
Now nobody likes to play with people who are incompetent and nobody wants to be incompetent either. Skill then becomes our second value. Eveyone is encourage to help others develop this because there was once a time where you didn't know either :)
Seeing as how many people who play also have real lives I felt it would be best to make allowance for those who lack availability to still be able to participate, advance, and have a word in. Never-the-less availabilty is a neccessity to run any organization which is why it is listed as a value.
Finally, knowledge was something else that will be valued. This is mostly because in order to help others, exhibiting altruism and kindness, you will need to have a fairly good understanding of the game, both the system/interface as well as the general ingame elements (how to use the auction house or feed a pet).
To reflect these qualities to all guild members I have established the following ranking system:
| Proposed Rank Title | Alternative Rank Titles | Character | Availability | Skill | Knowledge |
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| Guild Master | Guild Administrator |
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| Overseer | Adjutant, Aide-de-Camp |
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| Pillar |
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| Officer |
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| Serviceman |
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| Veteran |
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| Regular |
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| Reservist |
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| Initiate | Tiro, Novice, Entrant, Neophyte, Fledgling, Recruit |
Because of the way World of Warcraft allows you to structure your guild ranks it appears to be a simple top-to-bottom setup. This is not the case. Effectively the ranks of Reservist and Regular, Veteran and Serviceman, and Officer and Pillar are the same. Each one carries with it roughly the same responsibilities, prestige, and power (save maybe Officers and Pillars which I will discuss later). The difference comes in that other guild members can use this to recognize who has the freedom of time to be around and help them more often.
Starting at the bottom is the Initiate. The Initiate would be somebody who has been allowed into the guild to 'test their mettle'. Help them out in anyway you can, make equipement they can use, etc, but try to regrain from giving them money. It seems to becoming more prevalent that people will join a guild to get as much as they can and then run. Alternatively people may try to worm their ways up the ranks just to feel good about having some power. For the Initiate to no longer be an Initiate they must exhibit a degree of selflessness, honesty, and integrity. Any one who witnesses this particular behavior should note it and send a message of it to an Officer/Pillar.
The next level up is the Reservist/Regular. Having shown that they carry with them some merit of character the Reservist/Regular is given full guild priviledges. These people are to be trusted and trained. Help them as they grow. Everyone from the Reservist/Regular ranking upwards also has the priviledge to invite people to the guild and are encouraged to do so. They're opinions and perspectives are to be valued, but regarding promoting Initiates the voucher of two or three Reservist/Regular's is required minimum. Once again the only difference between these two is simply how much the person plays. Advancement for the Regular/Reservist involves developing and exhibiting aptitude and skill in their ability to play the game.
Having shown that they are capable of handling their character well in party situations means that you know when forming a crucial raid or party that you can rely on Veterans/Servicemen. To advance any further requires them to develop and consistently exhibit a superb degree of character, and to show they have the ability to teach and show others the general functions and methods of playing the game. Examples being show hunter's how to feed their pets, or how to pick up their professions, etcetera.
Officer and Pillar have the same authority to invite as well as promote guild members. Their witness is accetable grounds to terminate membership of anyone ranked below them or to elevate them appropriately. Weight will be given to their words. We must also briefly discuss each separately as there is some distinction to be made here.
First off the title of Officer is bestowed upon one by merited of the exhibition of superior character. In plain english, someone who is kind, honest, trustworthy, reliable, skilled, and knowledgeable apply. Officers are appointed by the Overseer and Guild Master at the recommendation of Pillar's and Overseer's or by extended in game contact.
The Pillar has been aptly named as it is their duty to hold the guild structure together. They are the enforcers and the engine. They will be the ones likely doing most of the recruiting, training, and event planning. This will be a highly respected position (even more than the Guild Master and Overseer).
Finally the Overseer's role is that of surrogate guildmaster(s) (allowance may be made for up to three such individuals). Their position is a little bit more free than the Pillar's and involves more administration and dispute handling. Character is of the utmost concern here (as usual). Overseer's will be appointed by democratic vote of the Pillar's and Officers.