July 20, 1997
Hail Dragons!
Topics discussed:
Heckler noted that the membership would like more responsibility and that our roles should be very specific. We should give them more of an opportunity to be part of the decision making process. All present agreed that Dragons' Reborn members should have more responsibilities. To that end, it was decided that Dragon Leaders are not people to whom the membership "report". Their responsibilities are rather:
a. To help coordinate recruiting but not shoulder the responsibility for it.
b. To coordinate and recommend promotions, demotions and inductions based on membership consensus.
c. To help explain the guild bylaws to members and prospective members and to act as a conduit to dispel rumors or questions which may circulate.
Our ultimate goal is to make the guild and the Realm a fun place to be for the members.
1. Regarding the recruitment of new members:
It was decided that recruiting and meeting new members is the responsibility and fun of all guild members and that the Dragon Leaders should not be the only ones to meet and evaluate new prospective members. In order to make it easy for all, Heckler suggested the following:
a. Using Dragon Bytes to discuss topics (any Realm related topics such as possible Alliances, questions regarding the lifting of the Mists) and so forth.
b. Prospective members would be asked to use the form on the web page to declare their interest in joining the guild. This would go to the appropriate DL, who would then post the message on the message board for all to read. It is the responsibility of the membership to check the message board regularly for updates and to try to get to know the prospective members.
Prospective members would also be asked to spend time on channel and to hunt with those in their class, the Dragon Leaders if possible and other guild members.
c. Establishing a voting board to discuss the candidacy of and cast votes regarding new members. Members could voice their feelings about this person's candidacy here.
d. After sufficient time has passed (partly up to the DL's discretion based on messages on the voting board and general guild membership feedback, or the clamoring from guild membership), the DL of that class would call for a vote. Each vote would allow one weeks' time to respond.
e. In addition, this voting board would be accessible by password and would be confidential. Votes cast would be viewable by all members, but would be expected to be kept confidential from the new or prospective member. Such a board is being set up and will be active, with password, by midnight Sunday July 27.
f. The DL would be responsible for communicating with the prospective via email, whether the vote is for or against. Socrates asked a question regarding what would happen if a member were not invited to join the guild, whether they would have an opportunity to declare their candidacy again at a later time. It was agreed that they could do so at a later time.
g. If the prospective member is inducted, the Dragon Leader is responsible for educating the new member on the ways of the guild. Other guild members also share in this responsibility.
A motion to implement the above was made, seconded and carried by unanimous vote.
Related to this discussion, we also wish to emphasize that those who have been lurking but not yet inducted, enjoy all of the privileges of members with the exception of passwords to the houses and vote board. We agreed that taking time to know the prospective member is good for them and for the guild ultimately, as it does give a sense of one's loyalty to the guild.
All prospective members are welcome to come to meetings, talk with members, speak at meetings, hunt with members and spend time with us on the channel.
2. List of Ex-Members
It was discussed and decided that a list of former Dragons Reborn members be added as a link to our roster of current members. This would help eliminate the confusion of those who may see some players with "DR" at the end of their names who are no longer members, acting in a way not sanctioned by our charter and bylaws.
It would also be a handy reference tool for new members to see who was in the guild in the past, should anyone have the need or interest. We should also post this list on the message board. The current list of ex-members includes:
PolgaraDR, DurnikDR, BarakDR, KeldarDR, Shogie, NiteMysts, Grimm, BelgarionDR, Arithon, MystaraDR, IceCreamTruck, Dragonslaier, Theragon, GemDR, TheDragonReborn, XelconR, LadyKaren, LadyJ, RedFire and Elderon.
If anyone can think of someone we have forgotten, please let us know.
3. Demotions
We discussed how the return of an ex-member should be handled, should that person wish to return to our guild. It was suggested and decided that there would be established one rank below the current entry level rank of each class. The former member could return to the guild, but would not resume their former rank from the time they left. They would instead be re-inducted at this new rank, on probationary status.
Because the guild values loyalty, this rank would be in part to allow that member to have an opportunity to show renewed loyalty to the guild. In addition, this probationary rank could be used as a tool for demotion if a member chose to engage in behavior which would constitute a serious infraction. The manner in which this would occur was tabled for discussion at a later time. But, for a returning member, the rank would be automatic.
4. Promotions
The Dragon Council noted that the criteria for promotion has perhaps not been very clear in the past. Promotion criteria does not include length of service in the guild or level. The criteria does include the following:
a. Representation of self, i.e., on channel, in relations with others, reflection of those recruited by the members and that potential or new member's behavior, how much and well the member helps others, demeanor and attitude (boasting and humility).
b. Representation of class, i.e., on channel, answering questions or offering help specific to class.
c. Representation of Guild, i.e., to other guilds (ambassadorship or forging new relationships) on other channels, to other guild members such as reminding them of etiquette or guild bylaws, wearing uniform to official functions and use of channel leader abilities.
It was noted that in all cases, the associations made by guild members reflected upon them personally as well as their class and the guild as a whole. A member may recruit many members, but if those members do not represent us well or leave, it reflects not only on the new member, but also upon the person who sponsored them. The idea is that if we are doing our jobs by representing the guild well to others, people who do not share our ideals will self-select out. The same is true for alliances.
Guild representation means more than passively being on channel if others are not following the spirit of our beliefs. The Dragon Leaders are here for leadership and to intervene if needed. But, all members have the right, responsibility and ability to communicate our values and to help others as well.
Therefore, promotions are based on more than being around on channel and on Realm. Also, more than quantity of recruits or alliances suggested or forged. Other activities may constitute representation of the guild as well, for instance maintaining a web page.
Candidates for promotions in various classes were discussed and hopefully some will be coming in the near future.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:40p Eastern