Advice for a new leader please - Guild Wars Forums

master_ranger_matt · Nov 12, 2005, 11:20 PM // 23:20

Well, if u read this section alot u would no my guild had some problems. Well, they got sorted out. The leader quit a few days later, and now i am leader. I need some advice on how to run the guild because i have run two guilds, but none of them had more than 5 members or a hall. I need some advice on what to do and how to lead this thing. thank you in advance.

master_ranger_matt · Nov 13, 2005, 01:56 AM // 01:56

anyone?

Sol_Vie · Nov 13, 2005, 02:15 AM // 02:15

Well for one, it's good to keep it small, but 5 is too small. Try to recruit some people. Get to know your members early on and make friendships with them. Get some trust going... Something I regret doing is not keeping my guild quite as small as I'd like it. Go on UW or FoW trips. Get involved in guild activities. Do things together as a guild. Hope that helps some.

Tainted Poon · Nov 13, 2005, 02:17 AM // 02:17

all you need is loyal officers that recruit

Lysander Freeman · Nov 13, 2005, 02:58 AM // 02:58

Being a Guild Leader is just like being a leader or team captain of a pool league team, a volleyball team, or any other real life team. Those people behind the online aliases are real people too, and if you keep that in mind when you interact with them things will go a lot smoother.

If you aren't sure of what to do then small is the way to go. But not so small that you don't have enough people on at the same time to form an eight person team for Tombs or GvG - I'd reccomend 15 - 20 members, people you know well or at least have either gon through several PvE missions with or have teamed with successfully a lot in PvP.

My Guild had 20 members in it when I assumed the Guild Leader position. We currently have 55. And it take a lot of time and effort to keep things running smoothly and with some semblance of order. But I am spending that time and effort and have delegated responsibilities to Officers and that's what makes it work. Only grow to over 25 members if you are willing and ready to invest that much of your personal time and effort into an online community - because that's what it is.

Sentience · Nov 13, 2005, 04:30 PM // 16:30

Don't be afraid to kick people, if someone is causing problems in your guild do not hesitate to kick them if you can't get them to stop. If you don't want to make the guild great, or don't have the time to do so, disband it now. You need to be willing to put everything you have into making your guild the very best it can be, and be willing to work overtime for it. Get to know each and every member, people that feel welcomed and appreciated are more apt to stay then ones who just kinda log on and don't feel apart of anything at all.

Alone) · Nov 13, 2005, 05:26 PM // 17:26

Like what some above posts says, make friends.

Make sure you know the game pretty well. PvE and PvP. And try to have all the places on the map so you can go if guildies ask for your help. I suggest keeping officers from 3-5 people. And make sure you know them long enough so that they do not fool around and blindly kick people. I suggest talking to your officers about that you are the only one to demote/promote people.

When recruiting, make sure that person isn't in for a free ride. If he begs, don't give. If he asks for help, go for it. But if no one is available, and he or she keeps asking, tell it off politely. And if it consists, give a warning maybe?

Hold meetings with your officers once in awhile with your guild. Discuss what your goals are with the guild, and what you hope to accomplish for every week, month. etc.

Good luck to yah.

Ristaron · Nov 13, 2005, 09:04 PM // 21:04

If you lay down guild rules, stick to them no matter what.

I had an officer who thought the guild rules didn't apply to him after he was promoted.
Let's just say he's not an officer any longer.

I never ever go against the guild rules of my guild, and I'm leader.

master_ranger_matt · Nov 13, 2005, 11:12 PM // 23:12

The guild already has like 3o members, but more are leaving because the leader left. Another problem I've encountered is people begging to be officers. We already have neough officers (too many actually) and besides that they don't meet the requirements. The requirements are simple ones (ascended, forge armor, max weapon or close to), yet the 3 people who have asked have been flaming me for being a jerk and too picky. What should i do about this?

Nikki Moonlight · Nov 14, 2005, 07:02 PM // 19:02

tell them to stop..i guess, or kick em..if they persist to flame..put them on ignore

EDIT: also..shouldn't there be no -item- requirements to be an officer, but they should show that they're helpful, friendly etc otherwise you may get a whole load of jerks as officers, and overcrowding of officers..like you said..

Lysander Freeman · Nov 14, 2005, 11:42 PM // 23:42

Stick to your guns. as a GL you *should* be picky about who your Officers are. Some feedback is fine - "always good to listen to your members so you don't become a dictator" one person told me. But when it turns into more than a small difference of opinion and they start flaming you, go into Guild Leader authoritative mode and tell them where to shove it or be removed from the Guild.

if you want a "do whatever you want whenever you want, we don't really care" Guild then promote them. If you want your Guild to have some semblance of order and Members that respect you, then don't.

Midknight · Nov 26, 2005, 07:09 PM // 19:09

I think your criteria of Officers might be flawed, no offense.
An officer should be one who can organize a party or an event, recruit quality players, and set an example for what everyone in the guild should look to.
Having the drok armor, ascended/infused, and max weapons is nice and all, but if you have 5 officers on and none of them want to take the initiative to start a party to do something, then inactivity increases, and the happiness of memebers decreases.
From what I've found out, the best way to have good officers is to treat it like a paying job. Each offcer can be in charge of a certain task (recruiting, builds, partying, events) or make it one big team i charge of all of it and they can pick and choose. Also, good guild leaders tend to be ones who start at the bottom and work their way up. Althogh if you recruit an experienced leader already, you can make an exception or expediate his ascension in the ranks.

As for the happiness of you guild mates, it sounds like you are forming a pve type guild. So to have a good active pve guild you need to set up a system of:
FoW/Underworld trips, and who will lead them
A point of contact for coming through the game (primary quests, mission, ascesion)
A map guru that can lead a party anywhere without getting lost
Fun events with prizes: (One of my favorites is to hold a scavenger hunt, where everyone starts in a certain district, is given a list of drop items to collect and must race to solo/hench their way to getting the drops first)
A chat server: talking is key to bonding, and typing gets old after awhile
Forums: keep logs of certain things, builds, drop rates, activity, profiles, etc.

This should get you on your way.
good luck

Shen Xi · Nov 27, 2005, 01:09 AM // 01:09

might not be the best requirements for an officer but ome one, if you are gonna know much about the game you're gonna hve at least one charcter with drok's armour and a max weapon (e.g. collector's items).

if you don't even have that in a largish guild then how expereinced can you be? not very is the answer.

imanixon2 · Nov 27, 2005, 02:10 AM // 02:10

Let them know that you are the leader, you were put in that position for whatever reason the previous one had. They can either accept it or leave. I also hate kicking people, but sometimes it has to be done. My advice, if you have a website, post your new officer requirements. If some of your current officers dont reach them, demote them. You didnt make them officers and you dont have to keep them officers. Its your guild now, run it that way. Post the new reqs, that way they all understand that the leader isnt the only thing being changed. Constantly getting complained to is part of being a leader. I would either get used to that, or if it isnt worth it, promote someone else or just leave and join another guild as a member and just enjoy being in a guild.

unamed player · Nov 27, 2005, 02:27 AM // 02:27

Here is the best tips you will ever get.

Morale is everything

Dont ever try a concept build if everyone doesnt know what they're doing. If you lose and people utterly fail it will make you look bad and make your guild look like a pile of poo.

Dont call it quits if you havent won yet. Losing 4 straight matches and calling it quits will inevitably land your guild in the bottomless pit of wash outs.

Be firm but also be a friend. You are the leader but not a slave driver. Feel what your guild mates want and give it to them.

Dont spoil new members with gold or items. A helping hand is ok but doing someone elses work will just turn him into a lazy beggar. The minute you stop buttering the toast they will leave.

Give everyone the chance to GVG and if your rank is too high to risk than just go to tombs.

Thats about the only problems i had to deal with when i ran my guild. Make sure you have officers you KNOW you can trust and make sure new members arent forgotten under the pile.

Oh yeah and dont ever be "unsure". Whether you make the right or wrong move ALWAYS BE SURE.

Maltare · Nov 30, 2005, 07:54 AM // 07:54

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

Nov 12, 2005, 11:20 PM // 23:20	#1
master_ranger_matt Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah.... no im not mormon Guild: Radicals Against Tyrants [RAT] Profession: R/Me	Advice for a new leader please Well, if u read this section alot u would no my guild had some problems. Well, they got sorted out. The leader quit a few days later, and now i am leader. I need some advice on how to run the guild because i have run two guilds, but none of them had more than 5 members or a hall. I need some advice on what to do and how to lead this thing. thank you in advance.

Nov 26, 2005, 07:09 PM // 19:09	#12
Midknight Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Oct 2005 Guild: The Second Foundation/ RFE Profession: Mo/Me	I think your criteria of Officers might be flawed, no offense. An officer should be one who can organize a party or an event, recruit quality players, and set an example for what everyone in the guild should look to. Having the drok armor, ascended/infused, and max weapons is nice and all, but if you have 5 officers on and none of them want to take the initiative to start a party to do something, then inactivity increases, and the happiness of memebers decreases. From what I've found out, the best way to have good officers is to treat it like a paying job. Each offcer can be in charge of a certain task (recruiting, builds, partying, events) or make it one big team i charge of all of it and they can pick and choose. Also, good guild leaders tend to be ones who start at the bottom and work their way up. Althogh if you recruit an experienced leader already, you can make an exception or expediate his ascension in the ranks. As for the happiness of you guild mates, it sounds like you are forming a pve type guild. So to have a good active pve guild you need to set up a system of: FoW/Underworld trips, and who will lead them A point of contact for coming through the game (primary quests, mission, ascesion) A map guru that can lead a party anywhere without getting lost Fun events with prizes: (One of my favorites is to hold a scavenger hunt, where everyone starts in a certain district, is given a list of drop items to collect and must race to solo/hench their way to getting the drops first) A chat server: talking is key to bonding, and typing gets old after awhile Forums: keep logs of certain things, builds, drop rates, activity, profiles, etc. This should get you on your way. good luck Last edited by Midknight; Nov 26, 2005 at 07:14 PM // 19:14..

Nov 27, 2005, 02:27 AM // 02:27	#15
unamed player Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Nov 2005 Guild: Im a merc.	Here is the best tips you will ever get. Morale is everything Dont ever try a concept build if everyone doesnt know what they're doing. If you lose and people utterly fail it will make you look bad and make your guild look like a pile of poo. Dont call it quits if you havent won yet. Losing 4 straight matches and calling it quits will inevitably land your guild in the bottomless pit of wash outs. Be firm but also be a friend. You are the leader but not a slave driver. Feel what your guild mates want and give it to them. Dont spoil new members with gold or items. A helping hand is ok but doing someone elses work will just turn him into a lazy beggar. The minute you stop buttering the toast they will leave. Give everyone the chance to GVG and if your rank is too high to risk than just go to tombs. Thats about the only problems i had to deal with when i ran my guild. Make sure you have officers you KNOW you can trust and make sure new members arent forgotten under the pile. Oh yeah and dont ever be "unsure". Whether you make the right or wrong move ALWAYS BE SURE. Last edited by unamed player; Nov 27, 2005 at 02:31 AM // 02:31..

Nov 13, 2005, 01:56 AM // 01:56	#2
master_ranger_matt Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah.... no im not mormon Guild: Radicals Against Tyrants [RAT] Profession: R/Me	anyone?

Nov 13, 2005, 02:15 AM // 02:15	#3
Sol_Vie Desert Nomad Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston, MA Guild: Blood Of Orr [BoO]	Well for one, it's good to keep it small, but 5 is too small. Try to recruit some people. Get to know your members early on and make friendships with them. Get some trust going... Something I regret doing is not keeping my guild quite as small as I'd like it. Go on UW or FoW trips. Get involved in guild activities. Do things together as a guild. Hope that helps some.

Nov 13, 2005, 02:17 AM // 02:17	#4
Tainted Poon Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Oct 2005	all you need is loyal officers that recruit

Nov 13, 2005, 02:58 AM // 02:58	#5
Lysander Freeman Academy Page Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central PA, USA Guild: Gladiators of Light in Darkness Profession: R/E	Being a Guild Leader is just like being a leader or team captain of a pool league team, a volleyball team, or any other real life team. Those people behind the online aliases are real people too, and if you keep that in mind when you interact with them things will go a lot smoother. If you aren't sure of what to do then small is the way to go. But not so small that you don't have enough people on at the same time to form an eight person team for Tombs or GvG - I'd reccomend 15 - 20 members, people you know well or at least have either gon through several PvE missions with or have teamed with successfully a lot in PvP. My Guild had 20 members in it when I assumed the Guild Leader position. We currently have 55. And it take a lot of time and effort to keep things running smoothly and with some semblance of order. But I am spending that time and effort and have delegated responsibilities to Officers and that's what makes it work. Only grow to over 25 members if you are willing and ready to invest that much of your personal time and effort into an online community - because that's what it is.

Nov 13, 2005, 04:30 PM // 16:30	#6
Sentience Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: I hate ppl who put stupid locations here Guild: Jelly Toasts [jT], Team Love [kisu] Profession: W/	Don't be afraid to kick people, if someone is causing problems in your guild do not hesitate to kick them if you can't get them to stop. If you don't want to make the guild great, or don't have the time to do so, disband it now. You need to be willing to put everything you have into making your guild the very best it can be, and be willing to work overtime for it. Get to know each and every member, people that feel welcomed and appreciated are more apt to stay then ones who just kinda log on and don't feel apart of anything at all.

Nov 13, 2005, 05:26 PM // 17:26	#7
Alone) Krytan Explorer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Campbell, California Guild: Legio Imortalii Profession: W/Mo	Like what some above posts says, make friends. Make sure you know the game pretty well. PvE and PvP. And try to have all the places on the map so you can go if guildies ask for your help. I suggest keeping officers from 3-5 people. And make sure you know them long enough so that they do not fool around and blindly kick people. I suggest talking to your officers about that you are the only one to demote/promote people. When recruiting, make sure that person isn't in for a free ride. If he begs, don't give. If he asks for help, go for it. But if no one is available, and he or she keeps asking, tell it off politely. And if it consists, give a warning maybe? Hold meetings with your officers once in awhile with your guild. Discuss what your goals are with the guild, and what you hope to accomplish for every week, month. etc. Good luck to yah.

Nov 13, 2005, 09:04 PM // 21:04	#8
Ristaron Desert Nomad Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Canada, eh? Guild: Legion Of Valhalla Profession: E/	If you lay down guild rules, stick to them no matter what. I had an officer who thought the guild rules didn't apply to him after he was promoted. Let's just say he's not an officer any longer. I never ever go against the guild rules of my guild, and I'm leader.

Nov 13, 2005, 11:12 PM // 23:12	#9
master_ranger_matt Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah.... no im not mormon Guild: Radicals Against Tyrants [RAT] Profession: R/Me	The guild already has like 3o members, but more are leaving because the leader left. Another problem I've encountered is people begging to be officers. We already have neough officers (too many actually) and besides that they don't meet the requirements. The requirements are simple ones (ascended, forge armor, max weapon or close to), yet the 3 people who have asked have been flaming me for being a jerk and too picky. What should i do about this?

Nov 14, 2005, 07:02 PM // 19:02	#10
Nikki Moonlight Krytan Explorer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brighton, England Guild: Ice Cold Elements [ICE] Profession: Mo/	tell them to stop..i guess, or kick em..if they persist to flame..put them on ignore EDIT: also..shouldn't there be no -item- requirements to be an officer, but they should show that they're helpful, friendly etc otherwise you may get a whole load of jerks as officers, and overcrowding of officers..like you said..

Nov 14, 2005, 11:42 PM // 23:42	#11
Lysander Freeman Academy Page Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central PA, USA Guild: Gladiators of Light in Darkness Profession: R/E	Stick to your guns. as a GL you should be picky about who your Officers are. Some feedback is fine - "always good to listen to your members so you don't become a dictator" one person told me. But when it turns into more than a small difference of opinion and they start flaming you, go into Guild Leader authoritative mode and tell them where to shove it or be removed from the Guild. if you want a "do whatever you want whenever you want, we don't really care" Guild then promote them. If you want your Guild to have some semblance of order and Members that respect you, then don't.

Nov 27, 2005, 01:09 AM // 01:09	#13
Shen Xi Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London, UK Guild: Laziness Appreciation Society [LaZy] Profession: Mo/	might not be the best requirements for an officer but ome one, if you are gonna know much about the game you're gonna hve at least one charcter with drok's armour and a max weapon (e.g. collector's items). if you don't even have that in a largish guild then how expereinced can you be? not very is the answer.

Nov 27, 2005, 02:10 AM // 02:10	#14
imanixon2 Academy Page Join Date: Oct 2005 Guild: Credendo Vides	Let them know that you are the leader, you were put in that position for whatever reason the previous one had. They can either accept it or leave. I also hate kicking people, but sometimes it has to be done. My advice, if you have a website, post your new officer requirements. If some of your current officers dont reach them, demote them. You didnt make them officers and you dont have to keep them officers. Its your guild now, run it that way. Post the new reqs, that way they all understand that the leader isnt the only thing being changed. Constantly getting complained to is part of being a leader. I would either get used to that, or if it isnt worth it, promote someone else or just leave and join another guild as a member and just enjoy being in a guild.

Nov 30, 2005, 07:54 AM // 07:54	#16
Maltare Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jun 2005 Guild: The Last Horadrim Profession: E/Me	http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=22222