ISO advice from veteran leaders: the Care and Feeding of a Guild - Guild Wars Forums

Tanith · Nov 15, 2006, 12:27 AM // 00:27

Hi, all. Before getting into what I'm looking for, I should explain my situation:

I was recently named leader of my small guild. This is a guild that has been around in one incarnation or another since Prophecies made its debut. But like all guilds, it has evolved. Nearly all of the original members and officers (including the previous leader) have gone on to WoW or other interests, but a handful of us remain perfectly happy with GW. We want to continue with the guild.

It so happens that the guild is part of a larger gaming community...I discussed this in the "introduce your guild" thread. Like the guild itself, the website/IRC community is something I've been a part of since the beginning, and I'd like to do all I can to help these communities grow.

So now we come to it. I'm reaching out to leaders of successful guilds to hopefully learn a few things about leadership. My wish is to build the guild up, increase activity on the website/IRC, perhaps even form our own alliance one day. But I know this takes work, patience, and perseverance, and nobody does it alone. I've got good officers and enough experience to know what works and what does not.

When I say "successful", I'm thinking of guilds where everyone is happy, active, and working together. Because when you have that, everything else follows. And I know those guilds are out there, because I've PUG'ed with your members (possibly even the leaders) many times. They're always calm, cool, collected, and having a great time. They're knowledgeable and helpful without being arrogant. They're courteous and friendly, even during PvP.

That's the sort of guild I'd like to nurture and help grow. I've got a good start with our officers and members, but there are too few of us who are active. I learned firsthand that you don't recklessly recruit every random guildless soul you see...and there's no need for that. There are plenty of good players out there that would be happy with us, and that we would enjoy having.

So...what do you all look for when recruiting? So far the best candidates I've seen are usually right here on these and other forums, searching for a guild to call home. I'm sure they're also out there in the gameworld, wandering through outposts and PUGging in hopes of finding the best fit for themselves.

We need to find them, and they need to find us. Any advice on how best to accomplish this would be very humbly welcomed...and thanks for taking the time to read this.

Tanith

Billiard · Nov 15, 2006, 07:50 AM // 07:50

I think this thread here is always a good starting point:

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=22222

Makkert · Nov 15, 2006, 08:31 AM // 08:31

Recruiting is imho the most important step to a succesful guild. Keeping your guild a group of people that have the same 'stance' is key. For a small guild as yours, playing with PUG's may be the best way to find quality people.

A lot of Maltare's tips seem quite hardcore. imho, it doesn't have to be, if the people are recruiting carefully.

Sofonisba · Nov 15, 2006, 03:56 PM // 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Makkert

Recruiting is imho the most important step to a succesful guild. Keeping your guild a group of people that have the same 'stance' is key. For a small guild as yours, playing with PUG's may be the best way to find quality people.

QFT.

I think you're already on the right track.

The best way to grow a guild the way you want, is to make officers those people who naturally and instinctually feel the same way you do (as opposed to, those who tailor their behavior/attitude simply in order to be promoted to officer).

In this way you will be able to trust your officers to make recruiting decisions when you're not there.

Be inclusive but not impulsive when recruiting. When people who join you in a PUG see that you all play together, that you work well together, and they conduct themselves with courtesy, and they ask to join? That's the kind of person you will not regret inviting. Because they can already see that they will fit well with you, and chances are they're right.

We've also found some really great people thanks to guru. Keep that guild forum updated and as active as you can!

When you've grown to a comfortable size, then it would be time to look for an alliance.

Tanith · Nov 18, 2006, 05:48 PM // 17:48

My thanks to all who replied...as I expected, I've gotten the levelheaded advice I sought. And sorry for the delay in replying...been battling a case of bronchitis this week, but maybe I can put the downtime to good use.

Tanith

Nov 15, 2006, 12:27 AM // 00:27	#1
Tanith Academy Page Join Date: Jul 2005 Guild: Guardians of the Vault [GotV] Profession: Me/E	ISO advice from veteran leaders: the Care and Feeding of a Guild Hi, all. Before getting into what I'm looking for, I should explain my situation: I was recently named leader of my small guild. This is a guild that has been around in one incarnation or another since Prophecies made its debut. But like all guilds, it has evolved. Nearly all of the original members and officers (including the previous leader) have gone on to WoW or other interests, but a handful of us remain perfectly happy with GW. We want to continue with the guild. It so happens that the guild is part of a larger gaming community...I discussed this in the "introduce your guild" thread. Like the guild itself, the website/IRC community is something I've been a part of since the beginning, and I'd like to do all I can to help these communities grow. So now we come to it. I'm reaching out to leaders of successful guilds to hopefully learn a few things about leadership. My wish is to build the guild up, increase activity on the website/IRC, perhaps even form our own alliance one day. But I know this takes work, patience, and perseverance, and nobody does it alone. I've got good officers and enough experience to know what works and what does not. When I say "successful", I'm thinking of guilds where everyone is happy, active, and working together. Because when you have that, everything else follows. And I know those guilds are out there, because I've PUG'ed with your members (possibly even the leaders) many times. They're always calm, cool, collected, and having a great time. They're knowledgeable and helpful without being arrogant. They're courteous and friendly, even during PvP. That's the sort of guild I'd like to nurture and help grow. I've got a good start with our officers and members, but there are too few of us who are active. I learned firsthand that you don't recklessly recruit every random guildless soul you see...and there's no need for that. There are plenty of good players out there that would be happy with us, and that we would enjoy having. So...what do you all look for when recruiting? So far the best candidates I've seen are usually right here on these and other forums, searching for a guild to call home. I'm sure they're also out there in the gameworld, wandering through outposts and PUGging in hopes of finding the best fit for themselves. We need to find them, and they need to find us. Any advice on how best to accomplish this would be very humbly welcomed...and thanks for taking the time to read this. Tanith

Nov 15, 2006, 07:50 AM // 07:50	#2
Billiard Doctor of Philosophy Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pacific Northwest Guild: Team Love [kiSu] www.teamlove.us	I think this thread here is always a good starting point: http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=22222

Nov 15, 2006, 08:31 AM // 08:31	#3
Makkert Black Beast of Aarrrrgghh Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Netherlands Guild: The Biggyverse [PLEB] // Servants of Fortuna [SoF]	Recruiting is imho the most important step to a succesful guild. Keeping your guild a group of people that have the same 'stance' is key. For a small guild as yours, playing with PUG's may be the best way to find quality people. A lot of Maltare's tips seem quite hardcore. imho, it doesn't have to be, if the people are recruiting carefully.

Nov 18, 2006, 05:48 PM // 17:48	#5
Tanith Academy Page Join Date: Jul 2005 Guild: Guardians of the Vault [GotV] Profession: Me/E	My thanks to all who replied...as I expected, I've gotten the levelheaded advice I sought. And sorry for the delay in replying...been battling a case of bronchitis this week, but maybe I can put the downtime to good use. Tanith