Question about Guild Member Policy

[Eisengrad]

In the past it's been OK for someone we all know pretty well (in RL or in-game or both) to invite friends in. Having someone who just joined start to invite a bunch of people might be pushing the limits a little bit. How about we let things lie for a little while, see how things go, and then revisit this question? Does that seem fair? Maybe Andy could jump in on this conversation too.

I can dig that (wow that makes me sound old). Schadenfreude does not face the impending flood of a guild implosion. There are just two remaining uninvited long time friends of mine (and Albert, Harvey, Keith's as well) whom I'd say fit the criteria given here.

I was asking partly out of intellectual curiousity, and partly to know where we stood. Sorry if I gave a different impression.

[Werehamster]

Maybe Andy could jump in on this conversation too.

Oh ho, I've been called out!

My number one priority is the issue of accountability that was brought up earlier. For most of the people who are in the guild now, if they do something bad in the game, there are repercussions in real life. Also, in some ways, people with whom you've only interacted online can seem less human and you may be less likely to be nice and do things like step out of a run or pass on gear than someone you know in real life. (This is the hypothetical "you", I'm not pointing at anyone.)

On the other hand, there are a lot of people that I met playing my previous MMO that I personally would trust, only because I've interacted with them long enough online to know they are worthy of that trust. (Ignoring the fact that I've met some of them in real life since then.) But trust is a hard thing to transfer. As was also previously mentioned, people who come into this guild who only know one person are in some senses "sponsored" by that person, and anything that person does reflects on the sponsor. It hasn't been an issue yet, but the chain of accountability does introduce some fragility. For example, when Flo's friend got hacked, we had no way of contacting this person directly, because we only knew him through Flo.

I know it could be a slippery slope, but if it's only two people and you've known them for a long time, and have contact information for them and encourage them to use the forums and actually interact with the people in the guild outside of raiding, then I don't have a problem...

[Pocky]

Just to drop my two cents in, as far as I knew, the rule was simply:

"If you invite someone to the guild, you must know them in real life."

I never checked, because I've only ever brought in real life friends (Katy and Kevin2/Twistgibber, and Josh, who doesn't play anymore ^^; ).

It seems like a safe way to keep issues down, but like some other folks, if you truly trust someone, even if you haven't met them in real life, then I think it's okay to invite them.

I will admit, it's nice knowing that everyone has a real connection, be it friend, spouse, or relative, to someone else in the guild. ^_^

[Logos]

There are just two remaining uninvited long time friends of mine (and Albert, Harvey, Keith's as well) whom I'd say fit the criteria given here.

Yeah - if that's the case, and like Andy said - they are encouraged to participate, be nice, "don't be a dick", spread the wealth, chill out, etc., etc., I'm thinking that won't be a problem. And if there is, we'll just chop off your head

[koshan]

OFFFFF WITH HIS HEAD!!!

[Eisengrad]

And if there is, we'll just chop off your head

I could stand to lose some weight...

[koshan]

And if there is, we'll just chop off your head

I could stand to lose some weight...

Yeah .. not like you use your head for much.

Its just dead weight.

[Camyu]

In case anyone's wondering, other than the five previously mentioned by jeremy, I've recently invited Scott (Chayin) and Maria (I forgot what's her toons names cuz there were quite a few already). They are married to each other, and I've known them in person since 1998. They also know various guildies here, new or old. But yes, I agree that because I "sponsor" them here, I'm vouching for them fitting into the "friends and family guild" model.

[Oldcrow]

In case anyone's wondering, other than the five previously mentioned by jeremy, I've recently invited Scott (Chayin) and Maria (I forgot what's her toons names cuz there were quite a few already). They are married to each other, and I've known them in person since 1998. They also know various guildies here, new or old. But yes, I agree that because I "sponsor" them here, I'm vouching for them fitting into the "friends and family guild" model.

Never mind we were also once of Stormscale I left SS in the spring of 2007 because nerfing of shaman got so bad it was pointless to play in a pvp setting anymore. That left my characters on Argent Dawn, where I still raid, and the then-new horde side realm, Arygos. It is a shame RL folks are split across multiple realms, which is one reason I moved a dormant character from Doomhammer (Parfait and Conty's server, when they were playing once upon a time) to here. Maria is the social one, she loves being in the company of friends as often as possible. She'll doubtless have 10 toons on here by the end of the year. While I am the more of the hermit type, I like to help folks out. Loot means nothing to me except that it makes me a better raid participant. As far as 5-mans and raids go, I know all instances and raids such that they can pretty much be done by rote. Most people knew me as OldCrow long before this WoW thing even existed. I'm still here.

Crow
/**/

[Akane]

I wanted to say Hi to everyone! Yes, I've known Wynne for quite a while and I am fine and helpful when needed by other guildlies. I am not in here for the loots, but for the social aspect of it. Playing together with nice people(most of whom I know either via IRC or AX(worked AX96 & AX97). Also, knowing Pocky from his east coast days and working with him a lot too. And Andy and his hamster interest. I would hope that Scott and I have enough connections to be considered friends. Plus, I love to make new friends who also share my "addiction".

Thanks for inviting me in, Wynne and everyone else for welcoming me.