to all guild leaders..... I need help!!!

[baylensman]

I recently had the leadership of my guild fall on my unprepared head. My guild has a long and proud tradition in DDO. However do to some recent IRL problems a lot of the leadership has abandoned the game or had their playing time seriously reduced, so the guild has kind of fallen on hard times since Festivus.
I wish to do the best job I can. I need some serious advice or suggestion from those of you who are in sucessful guilds.

Please PM me are contact me in game so I can pick your brains.

[In_Like_Flynn]

Disband it. It's over.

[Beherit_Baphomar]

Disband it. It's over.

LOL. Flynn, what would we do without ya?

[amysrevenge]

Just be fair to everyone, and don't be afraid to expel someone if they won't be reasonable. Not much more to it than that, really.

[Citymorg]

I recently had the leadership of my guild fall on my unprepared head. My guild has a long and proud tradition in DDO. However do to some recent IRL problems a lot of the leadership has abandoned the game or had their playing time seriously reduced, so the guild has kind of fallen on hard times since Festivus.
I wish to do the best job I can. I need some serious advice or suggestion from those of you who are in sucessful guilds.

Please PM me are contact me in game so I can pick your brains.

I found myself in the a similar situation, almost a year ago. Me and 3 other people started a new guild out of the remains of an old one. The first thing I would recommend is recruit, recruit, recruit. You will need enough people to get regular parties (or most of parties) together. Even if you can only get 4 people on at a time that will be enough to get started. If people log on, and see no one in the guild for them to group with, they will not stay for very long. This is because people join guilds to have regular and reliable people to run with.

Secondly, I would recommend find out what you do well and what you like to do. Our guild focused on providing a playing space for people who did not have one. Therefore, we took everyone who was in the same position as were, from all over the server, and put together a guild. Then we took it a step further and started offering things that were not present on the server, like roleplaying and permadeath.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[Citymorg]

Just be fair to everyone, and don't be afraid to expel someone if they won't be reasonable. Not much more to it than that, really.

I would second this as well. Nobody wants to kick someone out of a guild. However, there are instances where keeping someone will cause more damage than asking them to leave.

[BlueLightBandit]

If a guild absolutely requires that it's leaders take an active role then there's probably something wrong with the guild.

Leadership is not necessarily an assigned role but rather it is an unspoken one. Just let the guild be for a while. Let the members do the things the members want to do, and let the leaders emerge. If you have to force it, it's probably not worth it.

[Killbilly]

I inherited leadership of my guild in a similar fashion quite a while back (a few months before mod 4). PM me if you have any questions or anything.

[Cupcake]

I inherited leadership of my guild in a similar fashion quite a while back (a few months before mod 4). PM me if you have any questions or anything.

Mynd. Duh LOL.

Was like why do I recognize that name LOL.

Hands you yer cupcake oh fearless leader sir.

[CrimsonEagle]

A guild is started with some goal in mind. What type of guild are you in?

Are you in a guild that adheres to a strict leadership structure? Rolplaying? Need before greed? A gathering of friends? Warforged only, or any race or build only for that matter?

I really think that the "best" guilds, for me at least, are the ones that have a common goal. What is the goal of your guild?

What type of people are in your guild?

I tend to gravitate towards selfless unity and friendship. Encourage, (but never force) people to help out.

Example.

Player 1 is creating a new build. He does not have the required equipment. Player 2 has some pretty good stuff in the bank, realizing that this is a guildy/friend, and though this stuff is "uber", he is willing to part with it in order to make Player 1, and the guild, stronger as a whole.

Or, Player one needs x quest, and you know it. Take em. There are more quests out there than just raids, and some of em are quite fun.

Never try to force someone though. This leads to resentment which leads to instability. Instead, encourage, and lead by example. If no one else helps, then you know what type of people you are working with.

Also. Don't try to take everything upon your shoulders alone. If you do this, then you will become the one to resent your position.

Another suggestion. Before anyone is invited into the guild, run with them a few times. Are they like minded individuals with the same goals or are they selfish, arrogant, demeaning towards others. In other words, will they make your guild look bad.

Most guilds, (I would think) would like to have a good image. They not only want the ability to do guild runs, but realizing that this is not always possible, they would also like others to desire people from their guild and recognize that if they get a person from such and such a guild, they will be getting a quality player.

I take pride when I join a pug and someone says "Hey, I've ran with some of your guild before. They were solid players". They are solid players, and they are good people to boot and I'm glad that I am with them.

Some are willing to invite anyone, for any reason. More power to em, but I've found that this brings more hassle than it is worth.

Talk to those in the guild. See what they think. It may be in your best interest to let the guild dissolve, but if there is any form of bond/friendship there, I would say you will be fine.

Good luck.

Crimson.

[HumanJHawkins]

I recently had the leadership of my guild fall on my unprepared head. <CUT>I wish to do the best job I can. I need some serious advice or suggestion from those of you who are in sucessful guilds.

I've run with Foecleaver... You're a good guy if I remember right. Being a good guy is half the battle. And, remember what the chief said in the movie The Emerald Forest,

Developer Guy: You're the Chief, why don't you tell him to do it?
Chief: If I tell a person to do something he does not wish to do, I will no longer be chief.
Also, do you know why the people in your guild want to be in your guild? Maybe because you have similar game philosophies? Maybe because you are all anti-social and don't want to have to PUG? Maybe because you like to accomplish similar goals like defeating new raids, etc.

Well, whatever it is that is the reason people are in your guild instead of someone elses, or on their own: Figure it out. Support it. Enhance it.

Anyway, I hope you and your guildies will run with Black Mantis some time... We might end up hating eachother, or we might end up forming some cross-guild ties and helping eachother out. Either way, we will both know more than when we started. Lol.

Good luck!

[Dexxaan]

Not an uncommon situation. I myself was officer in a Hardcore yet Fun Loving Guild on Aerenal called Grimstone. December of 2006 a crown was dropped on my lap....due to Leader (The Server-Wide Famous Darkcaster...Long live Dark!) dropping game.

As you can imagine or yo will experience....the first effect is dissention in the ranks, let those who should....leave, and try to promote the loyal and valuable ones. Then define what YOU as leader want to lead. Do you want Powergamers, Role-Players, Loose or defined rules, etc....

Once you have determined your goal, then it`s time to establish how. New blood, open recruitment, you and trusted officers scouting for highly talented players?

Continuing with my tale (and to sustain my advice) I had to keep guild together as much as possible, yet at the time it appeared the core issue causing instability was the DKP system many in favor, many against.

Bottom line was it was implemented, many players (good ones also) dropped and many stayed, I had the help of a couple of great friends/players (Annahita-Kixaahl and Drake) until we formed a merger with a superb yet very small group of players from another guild (Mithras - with Smacks / Orimus their leader) and our super recruiter Magnicallis to form Gravis Negotium. Smacks and the Mithras folks dropped Guild and Game pretty much, but with clear set simple rules, a 3 man Goverment Council system (1 Leader is asking for trouble IMO) we have grown from 20-23 members to almost 55-60 members (40 or more Highly Active to this date).

Again my advice, define who and what you are and want, then see what you have in Inventory...(your not gonna turn ez going happy go lucky types into power-loot mongers IMO) then keep your cool through thick and thin and get ready to pull the trigger on those who obstruct your views without any reasonable elements to do so.

Almost forgot, if you aren`t commited to hard work and loads of babysitting.....disband and let your friends find their best fts elsewhere.......end the pain now.


Best of luck to you, & hope it helps.

[suitepotato]

I note that the OP didn't mention difficult people he might wish to kick, but only that RL issues made his guild population low. Nevertheless, people jumped to that idea. Hmmm...

Anyhow, speaking as a guild leader...

Speak softly, friendly, warmly, non-seriously, humorously, and semi-insincerely.
Carry no stick as anyone with more than two brain cells knows the leader has all the dangerous buttons. Anyone with less plays WoW.
The President does not recruit for the Army at a card table at your local college. There's someone else doing that. Be not afraid therefore to give the recruiting backing to whoever does better at it than you. One of my guildies is very good at this. I am not.
Recruit guild member noobs to your quests when you run them. Make them non-noobs. This eliminates 98% of bad players from the game. One of my guildies does this fairly constantly. I don't need to be involved every time. I trust my people with doing what comes best to them.
Promote to officer those looking to recruit, and who you've seen play well at least in one group with you. Also, those who stuck with the guild through thick and thin without asking for a promotion ever.
Listen little to gossip, much to your heart.
Bite your tongue no matter how insane a guildie makes you if it is innocent, keeping in mind your own odd affectations which might be annoying. I tend to space randomly with the television on, but the ga-ga over BSG on SciFi is kind of shocking for such a sad pathetically written show.
Take it easy and don't stress over it for that will make people nuts and want to leave more than simply being there to speak with when needed. Even just to be seen playing semi-regularly is less frightening to people than a guild leader not being on for a time measured in weeks. Rotate your toons as necessary to keep them fresh in the list.
Above all else DO NOT BE CLIQUISH AND ENGAGE IN CRONYISM. When a guild is more for its leader and officers to have a ready-made pug first check population than being inclusive, it is very off putting. Don't put up MoTDs therefore exhorting to get dragon ready when you have no intention of inviting more than a few people and kissing off the rest no matter how good they are.Don't feel a need to run big guild events* or to play dad with everyone and rotate your time with every guildie. Sometimes your playing will intersect, other times not. Just be there when you can, and be open and approachable.

*Tempest Spine for loot, favor, and just plain butt kicking fun is always a better choice than those needing pre-reqs.

[parvo]

I recently had the leadership of my guild fall on my unprepared head. My guild has a long and proud tradition in DDO. However do to some recent IRL problems a lot of the leadership has abandoned the game or had their playing time seriously reduced, so the guild has kind of fallen on hard times since Festivus.
I wish to do the best job I can. I need some serious advice or suggestion from those of you who are in sucessful guilds.

Please PM me are contact me in game so I can pick your brains.

1) Give your guild a mission statement
2) Decide on what type of permadeath rules you want
3) Post the permadeath rules
4) Gain feedback
5) Adjust if necessary
6) Hope you get some help from others that are capable of leading
7) Enjoy!

[Daerius of the Blessed Blades]

(1) Define your guild's purpose. Agreed 100% with a few of the original posters. Determine who you want to be and do NOT deviate. It is important that you recruit for that purpose. Then make sure EVERYONE knows it.
(2) Be sure your guild has a presence outside the game as well - GuildPortal or GuildUniverse give you free places to host your website. Even if all you have is a mail list, Yahoo group, whatever - doesn't have to be fancy, but it REALLY helps to build your community.
(3) Delegate, Delegate, Delegate! Pick people you trust and entrust them with upholding the guild rules, recruiting, etc. If they are active on your guild "presence" (above), then all the better!

Beyond that, a few tips:
- If your population is low, try setting special nights. Static groups, play your "8-11 level characters", raid night, etc, will help ensure that everyone is on the same page. I know we had people with trouble in levels 7-10, so we created "Middler Monday" for playing your mid level characters. We have been able to get lots of characters over the hump in a shorter period of time and built a night when all our guildees can come together.
- Don't "freak" when people leave. It is a game, and people are here to have fun. I they dont find it in your guild, wish them well and send them on their way. In our guild past, we have had guildees go cray worrying that the sky was falling. Stay true to your principles and you'll be fine :)
- If you have a problem with a guildee, PLEASE meet with them in person and let them know that their behavior is not reflecting the guild mission statement. Remind them that they are valuable, but so is the integrity if the guild. And I follow it up with a nice note thanking them for their cooperation. Then , if you have to take action, you know that there were no misunderstanding and you can have a clear conscience.

This is rambling (because I have so much to say, but can't WAIT to get to the game and play...it's been 4 days :eek: However, this is one of my FAVORITE subjects, so ask me if you have any specific questions.

[captain1z]

Dont take it all to seriously.

DDO is meant to be fun, not a job ....... dont turn it into a job.

Think of the guild as all of your friends and you guys just wanna get together and have fun.

- find out how many are coming (whos active and who is not)
- decide what activities you guys wanna do (raids once a week, farm items, level lowbies, permadeath...whatever you all think is fun)
- set up places and times to meet (commincate the best way to contact everyone, message of the day, mail, tells while online, guild chat)
- if friends cant agree decide on a way to settle disagreements, that most people are ok with
- remember you are all friends here to have fun, respect everyones opinion, no man is a king unto himself

also some things to think about:

If you've ever driven a car before, then you know that the passengers dont panic until you do; even if you almost had an accident.
Guilds and leadership are the same way.

Some of the greatest leaders in history were not great because of who they were personally, but because of the people who supported them and gave them good advice. Good officers can make or break a guild as quickly as a bad decision by the leader.

Act in a way you would like people to remember you ... always. Ask everyone you call your friend/guildmate to do the same.



Ive been a leader / manager for the last 15 years and half the time I really dont know what Im doing, but people say I sound like I know what Im doing and they have faith in that. Sometimes the Illusion is more powerful than reality.


Dont take it all so seriously .................... best advice I can give.

[Mockduck]

Hey, I've run with Ten Ton Hammer folks before and always had a good time with 'em, so at least you're getting started with your rebuilding campaign on solid ground there (at least in my experience). I'd say figure out how serious your guild is - is it just a group of folks getting together for casual, good times or a more organized "share the loot - kill the raids" kind of thing?

I'd also maybe say something guild-wide, sort of like: "Hey, we're under new management. Any ideas? Also, no hard feelings if you want to drop." That way you start off with a good group of players who - want - to be there and will not have to deal with as much drama. Good players and fun times will naturally attract guild members, I think.

Anyway, good luck with it all!

[baylensman]

Let me say there are no problems in the guild that i'm aware of. It's just that the leadership (leader and guild second as well as One past leader) all seemed to have RL issues at once. then the holidays hit, then the new mod and content. All of sudden we were all over the place and not together. So my job or role before I turn it over to the next victim um oh ahh I mean hero, is to get us running together again once or twice every 10 days or so. Then build from there.

[Ghoste]

Went through the same thing myself (not with The Mithril Hand, this was a while ago). I took a leave from DDO for about 3 months. When I came back, I found I had been promoted to leader. Before I took the leave, the previous leader had put the idea up in the air, but I had declined. After I had been gone for about 2 months, with them not having any word when or whether I'd be back, I got promoted to guild leader, and the previous guild leader stopped playing. A month later, I came back to a guild with myself and only one other active guild member left.