Questions from a new Guild Leader

[Hartharquiss Jube]

I just started a new guild on the Guk server. Our name is: Black Dragons My question is: Is there any place on the internet that has resources for new guild leaders? I don't know anything about how to manage a guild. I know how to play, I knew how to create a new guild and chat in guildchat, but as far as giving permissions to members, officers, and guildbanks, I have no idea. I would really appreciate any help or suggestions! I am really hoping there are some how-to websites out there or something like a guild leader forum. Please Help!  Thanks!  - Daermon N'a'shezbaernon    - Black Dragons

[Jal]

Reading what it says in game and trying stuff is the best thing i can recommend, i started a guild in my first month or so of EQ2 and had no clue as to most of the tickboxes or bank settings.  The rank options are generally self explanatory when you read them, as are the bank options (although sometimes buggy).

[Guy De Alsace]

<p>I had the same "in at the deep end" experience when I became leader of a guild. Just remember to be fair, dont use favouritism, keep the guild informed and weed out undesired players or use a trial period to make sure new members arent idiots or there to steal your bank contents.</p><p>Always keep a leader and officer only bank for the rare/expensive items. Make one bank open to all and the other two use as you see fit. <b>Never</b> have all four banks open for all as you will be ripped off by players emptying your bank on joining then leaving immediately.</p><p>Enjoy the ride and dont let the power go to your head <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Jai1]

Just press U.  All can be managed through the interface.  I think bank permissions were the hardest but it's all there.

[Lornick]

<p>Most of the guild commands are self explanatory if you look in the guild window ("U" button default).  Just go through all the permissions with ranks and stuff.  Check the abilities that you want different ranks to have.  Adjust the message of the day (motd) at the main screen clicking the edit button.  It really is pretty self explanatory if you look at it.  </p><p>Here is some more practical advice though.  Recruit, recruit, recruit.  For a guild to be successful this is an absolutely never-ending process.  No matter what you do as guild leader it is inevitable that you will lose members.  Players will leave for a myriad of reasons.  Don't take it personally.  Just realize that the recruitment process never ends.</p><p>Treat members equally when it comes to the guild.  It's easy to have favorites or friends and to want to either forgive their mistakes or grant extra favors.  This can only cause problems for you as a guild leader.  Everyone should be treated equally in regards to guild resources or rules.  Your personal affairs are just that... personal.  I also live by the rule "praise in public, punish in private".  There is no reason a players mistake needs to be a public issue.  This will work out better for both you and the punished players.  The goal of punishing another player is to correct their behavior, not to humiliate them.  Also by keeping it private it will prevent players who have nothing to do with the incident from inflaming the situation.  I would also say the more important part of that saying is to "praise in public".  It's very important that players realize their contributions to the guild are noticed and appreciated.</p><p>One other thing to think about is your guild's website.  SOE provides free websites to guilds, but it's kind of bad.  There are many bugs with the forums and you have to be a registered EQ2 player with a character in the guild to even post on the forums.  The website is pretty limited too, but at least it is free.  I would recommend getting an account with guildportal.com.  The basic service is free, but they put many limits on the guild website unless you pay a 30 dollar per 6 month fee.  That's a really reasonable rate anyway, but it is something to keep in mind.</p>

[Lariu]

Lornick wrote: <blockquote><p>Here is some more practical advice though.  Recruit, recruit, recruit.  For a guild to be successful this is an absolutely never-ending process.  No matter what you do as guild leader it is inevitable that you will lose members.  Players will leave for a myriad of reasons.  Don't take it personally.  Just realize that the recruitment process never ends.</p></blockquote><p> The sad truth.</p><p>Welcome to a world of blood, sweat and tears - probably in that order.</p>

[Hartharquiss Jube]

Thanks to you all for your great suggestions! I really appreciate good points like treating everyone equal, private punishment, public praise and recruiting! I did use the U window and figured out the bank settings and how to promote/demote people as well as how to make someone a guild recruiter. You all had some great suggestions! Thanks Very Much!  - Daermon

[MikesterBrau]

   Well I hope to make a guide and post it on <a href="http://everquest2.gameamp.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://everquest2.gameamp.com</a> before the end of the summer but until then I will start a conversation in our forums that will be viewable from our front page without having an account.  If  you get a free account on GameAmp not only can you respond in the forums but you also have some nice tools that I have not seen anywhere else for chronicling some of your guild achievements and they do not require any kind of software down load but are very rudimentary.  Anyhow I will post the topic here as soon as I can if things stay quite here at my day job.  Congratulations on taking the step up of becoming a guild leader as many have suggested here it has some ups and downs to be sure.

[Tyrlien]

<p>Although it's not a resource for guild leaders only, GameAmp has a list of <a href="http://everquest2.gameamp.com/command/viewCommands" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">EQ2 Commands</a> that you may find helpful.  And as well there is an </p><p><a href="http://everquest2.gameamp.com/team/viewTeams" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">EQ2 Guilds</a> section where you can register your guild and be supplied with basic private and public forums.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Zard]

You might want to take a look at GuildPortal (<a href="http://www.guildportal.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.guildportal.com/</a>) if you are interested in creating a web presence for your guild. I believe you can (still) use it for free or pay something like $30/3 months if you want more features and want to get rid of the ads.

[MikesterBrau]

<p>   Yes and actually we have all 3 per se.   We use the free provided SOE guild site, a Guild Portal site as our main page because our guild plays multiple games the Guild Portal one acts as our hub site, and then we use GameAmp as a supplement because it allows tons of screenshot uploads and some extras that I have not found on other sites.  It is mostly another tool on my belt as I see it and yes as the site admin at GameAmp I am a bit biased but started as a guild leader and user just looking for some eq2 advice and fell in love with the extra goodies.   If you want to view my profile and see a slice of it all here it is.</p><p><a href="http://www.gameamp.com/mikesterbrau" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.gameamp.com/mikesterbrau</a></p><p>   Anyhow I managed to start the conversation regarding Guild Leadership advice and welcome any additional input and really it was just a few things that came to mind that should be considered before you even start your guild and I am sure we could all add volumes.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  Good luck with your respective guilds.</p>