My Guild (and I use "MY" only because I founded it) was started by a few like minded people who migrated from another Pirate game Seafight. We were guild mates over there so it seemed sensible for us to join together here to and help each other out while we found our footings.
We were always about helping each other out, and we were always helping out others along the way. The guild just grew organically from there. Guildmates introduced their friends and so on. We too have had our falling outs, but I am pleased to say they are few.
I have not been as active as I would like recently, but the guild officers are more than capable of taking over in my absence. That is the reason I promoted them, and they are now proposing people to promote. I do not agree with making everyone an officer. I feel that people earn that status. When we think that a member has showed the loyalty, helpfulness, patience and friendliness that we require, then they usually gain that promotion. The other officers like to make a big deal of this. so that a new officer knows how they have gained this promotion.
On our website we have a hints and tips on how to get an officer promotion, but the main reason can be fairly vague. It is a "feel" that this one pirate will make a good officer. Anyone can be helpful and friendly, but that one little thing - maybe maturity, maybe going that one step further than someone else - will be the thing that makes the officers say "Yes - promotion".
A good guild tends to run itself is what I am trying to say. Get the right people as officers, and it makes the guildmasters job relatively easy.
A guild forum is great for airing views, and allows the other members to have their say. Our forum has been updated and amended many times thanks to feedback from the members.
Just my 2 cents worth on this subject, and a little waffling
