Creating Your Own Guild

[Eliza Creststeel]

Understand this - If you want to run a guild, be prepared to spend more time on, but less time actually playing. This is NOT a bad thing, if you're expecting to spend a little more time answering questions, making announcements, settling disputes etc.

My own philosophy for the ETC has been - as FEW rules as possible. That's not to say no guidelines. At some point, a charter was set down and agreed to by the officers. It simply stated our recruiting requirements, which are minimal and the method to promote.

For officers, as you grow - they will be come critical. You should NEVER promise a recruit an instant promotion (NO MATTER WHAT LEVEL THEY ARE!). I have several 20-30 level officers who run rings around some 35+ level members as far as getting the job done. The job IS earned because it does involve extra effort.

Officers are your reputation, your recruitment force, your mentors and teachers and the first members to respond to a member in need - CHOOSE THEM WISELY. You do NOT need 50% of your guild to be officers. The ETC runs at 10% (Around 30 for 300 pirates), but they are guys and gals I trust implicitly.

To stem the tide of players wanting promotion - we created a virtual promotion for active members by granting them invite codes. Who they bring to the guild and how they manage their recruits will determine if they become an officer. And we vote - I don't declare. Though I do nudge.

You can't be a dictator. But, you have to be the guiding force. If you just say, 'I don't know what do you guys want to do?' - you will get dozens of conflicting answers and nothing gets done. Give options, but you have the last say.

And think about WHY you want the extra headaches? Just like being a boss? Like having a support system? Like being social? For me - I truly love watching a crew work together to accomplish something big. Taking down bosses or plundering ships enmasse is something I still find thrilling about this game.

Lastly - just a suggestion to ease stress on you and your officers. We had a problem with members crying for help but only a handful officers were responding and feeling burdened. We created an Officer of the Watch system. Like being on patrol duty, officers rotate being the first response for help or recruiting. They only do it for a short while, but it frees up others to actually be able to play - guilt-free and no one gets overworked.