Everyone is an officer - Guild Wars Forums

RcVan · Nov 20, 2006, 02:53 PM // 14:53

I am the leader of a 3 week old guild. I started off with officers and members. Becuase I have had the time I managed to attain a membership 0f 90 members to I have lots of people to get to know!! However on 2 occassions I have had disgruntled or malicious officers change the register turning everyone into an officer. I am quickly learning that its hard to know who to trust. At this point I have decided to leave everyone as an officer untll I can find a better alternative.

I would like to hear about experiences like this from other guild leaders. Is having everyone as an officer a workable arrangement?

Mythriel · Nov 20, 2006, 03:24 PM // 15:24

No it s not....u should make a website and there tell ppl to register and to tell more about them, to describe what they like in the game,guild.....what they don t like, party with clan members do some quests togheter, try to see what kind of ppl u have in the guild.Next time u should recruit more carefully members and not invite anyone in your clan.U don t need such a large clan u need one smaller that has members u can trust.

Opal Bridewood · Nov 20, 2006, 03:26 PM // 15:26

I wouldn't think so...then again, I think it's better to get to know someone first and *then* recruit, than the other way around. You won't have 90 members in three weeks, but also have better chances to last more than another three weeks.

But technically having everyone as an officer, is a safe thing if you worry about officers kicking people out, but don't worry about them inviting everyone and their dogs.

Opal Bridewood · Nov 20, 2006, 03:26 PM // 15:26

I wouldn't think so...then again, I think it's better to get to know someone first and *then* recruit, than the other way around. You won't have 90 members in three weeks, but also have better chances to last more than another three weeks.

But technically having everyone as an officer, is a safe thing if you worry about officers kicking people out, but don't worry about them inviting everyone and their dogs.

Edit: sorry, double post, delete this please!

Chicken Ftw · Nov 20, 2006, 03:28 PM // 15:28

3 weeks old and 90 people... o.o;; zerg recruiting or something? Usually end up with quite a few bad apples if you openly recruit everyone, without getting to know any of them first.

I'd find a core of people who're trustworthy, leave them officers and demote everyone else. Sure, some people might be mad about loss of status and leave - but they probably weren't going to be loyal anyway. Might work, might not... but if it doesn't, you could always start from scratch and be more selective and careful of who you recruit.

Mythriel · Nov 20, 2006, 03:30 PM // 15:30

No it s not....u should make a website and there tell ppl to register and to tell more about them, to describe what they like in the game,guild.....what they don t like, party with clan members do some quests togheter, try to see what kind of ppl u have in the guild.Next time u should recruit more carefully members and not invite anyone in your clan.U don t need such a large clan u need one smaller that has members u can trust.

Thomas.knbk · Nov 20, 2006, 03:52 PM // 15:52

Is it world double post day?
Making a website, or at least a forum, is a very good idea.
www.proboards.com provides them for free. Put in a guild announcement that members should register and kick anyone who doesn't within 2 weeks or so. A forum raises the community-feeling, and also you can tell pretty quick who's experienced and knows what he's talking about. You can make those people officers, and let them participate in GvG (don't know what kind of guild you have, if you intend to do GvG). So, making a forum/website is really the best advice I can give you.

Shanaeri Rynale · Nov 20, 2006, 04:48 PM // 16:48

Only make people officers that are doing the role without the title..

RcVan · Nov 20, 2006, 04:48 PM // 16:48

Yes I do have a proboard message board with lots of activity. Yes I need to get to know people before I can make a permanent and responsible officer group. At this early stage in our development I am becoming afraid of a renegade officer kicking everybody off.

My reason for having a large membership is that I want the guild to be active where there is always someone for others to "play" with. I left 3 or 4 giulds because very often there was no one online.

I have a lot to learn about running a guld. I have only been playing for 2 months. I dont want a small elite group of players. I am happy to have a cross section of people from GW in general. I will kick trouble makers and nuisance players. I dont have high ambitions for competetive activities. I want members to do what they want to do as long as they dont infringe on the rights or comfort of other players.

AS far as our current development goes we have all npcs and 9 allies. So I suspect this makes it easier to recruit.

Mythriel · Nov 20, 2006, 05:03 PM // 17:03

"AS far as our current development goes we have all npcs and 9 allies. So I suspect this makes it easier to recruit."
Wow dude u got to aspect to happen what just did happened if ppl just join your guild for what u said here!!!!Probably u have a 'cool cape' too.
U should make a website,stick with some players that are loyal,active and mature,make some rulz and if anyone breaks them kick him(for example no spamming in guild chat,no trading between guild members,no advertising,thingz like this...).Stick with less ppl u will see it s better....xD

Sofonisba · Nov 20, 2006, 06:19 PM // 18:19

RcVan, wow, 90 members in a 3-week period. I'm impressed! But you're asking for trouble making every single one of these people, none of whom you know very well, an officer.

Being leader is not always fun. You DO need to make decisions for the guild, including picking people who stand out, to be officers. Making everyone--90 people!!!!--officer means you have zero standards and stand for nothing.

(I'm not saying guilds can't work with everyone being officer, but not such huge indiscriminate random guilds! Holy cow.)

What happens when someone in your big alliance has a problem with one of your member-officers? Who deals with it? Officers are officers because they meet the higher standard, and can take care of issues in your stead while you're offline. Not in your guild, though. With everyone an officer, no one is responsible for anything.

*^^All statements out of my butt because I don't know your real situation, but it sounds like it could be disastrous in the future. IMHO.

Sol_Vie · Nov 20, 2006, 06:23 PM // 18:23

I highly recommend a forum. While our guild has remained small, having a forum for us to organize on is great. I bet it'd be even more useful with a guild that has a high number of members.

Sir Mad · Nov 20, 2006, 06:34 PM // 18:34

Quote:

But technically having everyone as an officer, is a safe thing if you worry about officers kicking people out, but don't worry about them inviting everyone and their dogs.

If there cap is still 100 members, he doesn't have to worry: the guild is almost full with 90 members

clawofcrimson · Nov 20, 2006, 07:19 PM // 19:19

I did the same thing...was a mistake... I got like 20 ppl in days and I was handing out money and items as gifts...after they joined...(not a tactic to get them to join...just good natured gifts) made everyone officers .... and then the problems started...

people started showing up im my guild who I didnt know and ended up causing problems.... officers would post messages that were inappropriate and etc... Im thinkin about scrappin the whole thing..

Mythriel · Nov 20, 2006, 07:40 PM // 19:40

Suggestion: kick everyone out and start over....recruit from sites,advertise u re guild on guru or other sites not in pre-searing

.

Ismoke · Nov 20, 2006, 07:45 PM // 19:45

we have levels that jusitfy officers!

1.overall attitude towards members!
2.overall contributions to guild and its members(help,advise,sharing,etc!!)
3.must be a 21 and over!
4.achieved gladiator title(not easy to get but show commitment)level 1.
5.protector of tyria,cantha and Elona.(shows they know whats going on)
6.mature,friendly,helpful, honest and above all a LEADER>
7.All officers are voted for by members and then by the officers.

We have 16 officers and 36 members, works like a charm.

valtonray · Dec 05, 2006, 10:15 PM // 22:15

my guilde has been using the officer system for a few months now and it's worked out great. we stay at maximum capacity, our guild doesn't ave inactive players and everyone seems to get along. we do keep a list of titled members on our web page, basically a list of the old officers showing which aspects of the game we specialize in.

Morgoth the dark · Dec 06, 2006, 04:20 PM // 16:20

kick those who made all of your guild officer and demote those who were promoted by your decision. simple and effective.

v8nutty · Dec 06, 2006, 04:37 PM // 16:37

Our guild has just 32 members, 25 of which are officers. Yes we get the odd idiot but no-one is promoted until they have met our premis - help always, hinder never.

I am our guild treasurer, i bought all the add ons for our hall (1.1M gold in total!!!), reward helpful members with hi spec weapons, give gold to officers needing help with getting armour. - all officers are required to contribute to the guild pot - gold, weapons they dont need etc. It works very well for us and a lot of us get togeather for AB or PvE quests. There are almost always 5-10 members online at a time and *any* one of us will help another member with quests or running to town free of charge - thats what we think a guild is about.

Making everyone an officer (although it helps with recruitment!) is a bad idea because you don't know what that person is like - this is why we have a period where we evaluate new members to determine there willingness to help.

Alleji · Dec 06, 2006, 05:37 PM // 17:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by RcVan

I am the leader of a 3 week old guild. I started off with officers and members. Becuase I have had the time I managed to attain a membership 0f 90 members to I have lots of people to get to know!! However on 2 occassions I have had disgruntled or malicious officers change the register turning everyone into an officer. I am quickly learning that its hard to know who to trust. At this point I have decided to leave everyone as an officer untll I can find a better alternative.

Meaning you promoted people whom you didn't know/trust? That's what you get I guess. Be happy that your officers weren't really "malicious" and kicked every nonofficer from the guild.

Quote:

I would like to hear about experiences like this from other guild leaders. Is having everyone as an officer a workable arrangement?

It is viable. Having either everyone as a member or everyone as an officer creates at least nominal equality in the guild. My guild is only 13 members and everyone is an officer simply for the convenience of leaving announcements and guesting friends.

Nov 20, 2006, 02:53 PM // 14:53	#1
RcVan Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Sep 2006 Profession: W/Mo	Everyone is an officer I am the leader of a 3 week old guild. I started off with officers and members. Becuase I have had the time I managed to attain a membership 0f 90 members to I have lots of people to get to know!! However on 2 occassions I have had disgruntled or malicious officers change the register turning everyone into an officer. I am quickly learning that its hard to know who to trust. At this point I have decided to leave everyone as an officer untll I can find a better alternative. I would like to hear about experiences like this from other guild leaders. Is having everyone as an officer a workable arrangement?

Nov 20, 2006, 03:24 PM // 15:24	#2
Mythriel Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Nov 2006 Profession: R/	No it s not....u should make a website and there tell ppl to register and to tell more about them, to describe what they like in the game,guild.....what they don t like, party with clan members do some quests togheter, try to see what kind of ppl u have in the guild.Next time u should recruit more carefully members and not invite anyone in your clan.U don t need such a large clan u need one smaller that has members u can trust.

Nov 20, 2006, 03:26 PM // 15:26	#3
Opal Bridewood Academy Page Join Date: May 2005 Guild: Guardians of the Stars - SoF alliance Profession: Mo/	I wouldn't think so...then again, I think it's better to get to know someone first and then recruit, than the other way around. You won't have 90 members in three weeks, but also have better chances to last more than another three weeks. But technically having everyone as an officer, is a safe thing if you worry about officers kicking people out, but don't worry about them inviting everyone and their dogs.

Nov 20, 2006, 03:28 PM // 15:28	#5
Chicken Ftw Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: May 2006	3 weeks old and 90 people... o.o;; zerg recruiting or something? Usually end up with quite a few bad apples if you openly recruit everyone, without getting to know any of them first. I'd find a core of people who're trustworthy, leave them officers and demote everyone else. Sure, some people might be mad about loss of status and leave - but they probably weren't going to be loyal anyway. Might work, might not... but if it doesn't, you could always start from scratch and be more selective and careful of who you recruit.

Nov 20, 2006, 03:30 PM // 15:30	#6
Mythriel Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Nov 2006 Profession: R/	No it s not....u should make a website and there tell ppl to register and to tell more about them, to describe what they like in the game,guild.....what they don t like, party with clan members do some quests togheter, try to see what kind of ppl u have in the guild.Next time u should recruit more carefully members and not invite anyone in your clan.U don t need such a large clan u need one smaller that has members u can trust.

Nov 20, 2006, 03:52 PM // 15:52	#7
Thomas.knbk Forge Runner Join Date: Jul 2006	Is it world double post day? Making a website, or at least a forum, is a very good idea. www.proboards.com provides them for free. Put in a guild announcement that members should register and kick anyone who doesn't within 2 weeks or so. A forum raises the community-feeling, and also you can tell pretty quick who's experienced and knows what he's talking about. You can make those people officers, and let them participate in GvG (don't know what kind of guild you have, if you intend to do GvG). So, making a forum/website is really the best advice I can give you.

Nov 20, 2006, 04:48 PM // 16:48	#8
Shanaeri Rynale Desert Nomad Join Date: Aug 2005 Guild: DVDF(Forums) Profession: Me/N	Only make people officers that are doing the role without the title..

Nov 20, 2006, 05:03 PM // 17:03	#10
Mythriel Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Nov 2006 Profession: R/	"AS far as our current development goes we have all npcs and 9 allies. So I suspect this makes it easier to recruit." Wow dude u got to aspect to happen what just did happened if ppl just join your guild for what u said here!!!!Probably u have a 'cool cape' too. U should make a website,stick with some players that are loyal,active and mature,make some rulz and if anyone breaks them kick him(for example no spamming in guild chat,no trading between guild members,no advertising,thingz like this...).Stick with less ppl u will see it s better....xD

Nov 20, 2006, 06:19 PM // 18:19	#11
Sofonisba Desert Nomad Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Guild: The Black Hand Gang [BHG] and The Black Helm Gang [BHeG]	RcVan, wow, 90 members in a 3-week period. I'm impressed! But you're asking for trouble making every single one of these people, none of whom you know very well, an officer. Being leader is not always fun. You DO need to make decisions for the guild, including picking people who stand out, to be officers. Making everyone--90 people!!!!--officer means you have zero standards and stand for nothing. (I'm not saying guilds can't work with everyone being officer, but not such huge indiscriminate random guilds! Holy cow.) What happens when someone in your big alliance has a problem with one of your member-officers? Who deals with it? Officers are officers because they meet the higher standard, and can take care of issues in your stead while you're offline. Not in your guild, though. With everyone an officer, no one is responsible for anything. *^^All statements out of my butt because I don't know your real situation, but it sounds like it could be disastrous in the future. IMHO.

Nov 20, 2006, 06:23 PM // 18:23	#12
Sol_Vie Desert Nomad Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston, MA Guild: Blood Of Orr [BoO]	I highly recommend a forum. While our guild has remained small, having a forum for us to organize on is great. I bet it'd be even more useful with a guild that has a high number of members.

Nov 20, 2006, 07:19 PM // 19:19	#14
clawofcrimson Desert Nomad Join Date: Sep 2006 Guild: Crimson Claw Profession: W/	I did the same thing...was a mistake... I got like 20 ppl in days and I was handing out money and items as gifts...after they joined...(not a tactic to get them to join...just good natured gifts) made everyone officers .... and then the problems started... people started showing up im my guild who I didnt know and ended up causing problems.... officers would post messages that were inappropriate and etc... Im thinkin about scrappin the whole thing..

Nov 20, 2006, 07:40 PM // 19:40	#15
Mythriel Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Nov 2006 Profession: R/	Suggestion: kick everyone out and start over....recruit from sites,advertise u re guild on guru or other sites not in pre-searing .

Nov 20, 2006, 07:45 PM // 19:45	#16
Ismoke Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fullerton, Ca. Guild: CDXX/THE420TH.COM Profession: Mo/Me	we have levels that jusitfy officers! 1.overall attitude towards members! 2.overall contributions to guild and its members(help,advise,sharing,etc!!) 3.must be a 21 and over! 4.achieved gladiator title(not easy to get but show commitment)level 1. 5.protector of tyria,cantha and Elona.(shows they know whats going on) 6.mature,friendly,helpful, honest and above all a LEADER> 7.All officers are voted for by members and then by the officers. We have 16 officers and 36 members, works like a charm.

Dec 05, 2006, 10:15 PM // 22:15	#17
valtonray Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Nashville TN Guild: LFG Profession: N/	my guilde has been using the officer system for a few months now and it's worked out great. we stay at maximum capacity, our guild doesn't ave inactive players and everyone seems to get along. we do keep a list of titled members on our web page, basically a list of the old officers showing which aspects of the game we specialize in.

Dec 06, 2006, 04:20 PM // 16:20	#18
Morgoth the dark Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Feb 2006 Guild: [CDEX] Profession: R/	kick those who made all of your guild officer and demote those who were promoted by your decision. simple and effective.

Dec 06, 2006, 04:37 PM // 16:37	#19
v8nutty Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Nov 2006 Guild: Swordmasters of Hoeth Profession: E/Me	Our guild has just 32 members, 25 of which are officers. Yes we get the odd idiot but no-one is promoted until they have met our premis - help always, hinder never. I am our guild treasurer, i bought all the add ons for our hall (1.1M gold in total!!!), reward helpful members with hi spec weapons, give gold to officers needing help with getting armour. - all officers are required to contribute to the guild pot - gold, weapons they dont need etc. It works very well for us and a lot of us get togeather for AB or PvE quests. There are almost always 5-10 members online at a time and any one of us will help another member with quests or running to town free of charge - thats what we think a guild is about. Making everyone an officer (although it helps with recruitment!) is a bad idea because you don't know what that person is like - this is why we have a period where we evaluate new members to determine there willingness to help.