Current mood:	blah
Current music:	none

"Lemme tell you about my character"
OK, no, not me. But in that same vein is "lemme tell you about my guild" - and if you'll indulge me for a moment, there's a bit more value in what I'm pondering than the usual crappy "lemme tell you about" stories.

So, we're a pure democracy and to the best of our knowledge that is unique in online gaming groups. All matters of consequence to the guild are voted on, with a supermajority required to do anything that would change the status quo. All matters not of consequence to the guild are expected to be handled by the involved parties as adults. As a nod to the real world, we've realized that certain circumstances require a "guild voice" and to that end we created a Council of members that are elected to a 3 month term. These members have no power beyond any other, but their voice is used in those circumstances when people expect to deal with us as a group rather than a group of like-minded individuals. Thusly, we tend to try and elect members who are good with people, or are socially adept at handling conflict. A side duty of this Council is to mediate disputes between members of the guild when said members ask for intervention to figure out a difficult situation. Like I said, in theory the Council are members who are skilled in this sort of thing, so it seemed like a natural growth of the duties.

Boy did being a Council member used to SUCK. It sucked HARD. Who wants to be involved in nonstop crap - even if you're good at slogging through said crap?

So what happened? As games became better designed, the opportunities for conflict decreased. Council became a secretarial position more than anything, but it still had that stigma of sucking hard. Eventually, that stigma kind of sloughed off and now it's almost completely drudge-work, but that work is so little and so widely spread that being Council isn't a big deal at all. As such, members started to be elected for availability and general amiability - because when you want something annoying and administrative done, you want it done quickly and you don't want to have to deal with a grouch to get it finished.

I'm sure you, fast-minded reader, see where this is going?

And you are correct. We have an old-school problem going, and no old-scool Council to take care of it. The potential for drama is hyoooooooge, involved personages don't shy from it, and the whole thing is fairly stupid. I'm not saying there isn't a problem - in fact there most certainly IS. I'm just saying that what hints I catch of the situation's handling? Oh God, it leaves a lot to be desired. I'd go so far as to wonder if it could be handled worse - but I'll refer to my statement of mere moments ago and note that I'm only getting hints and shadows of "The Deal". This puts me in a position of ignorance, and I make no firm statements until I'm de-ignorantized.

What the hell is your point, dude? My point the hell is that being in this guild is unique and has pushed me to deal with people and situations that I'd not have bothered with. This is enlightening. I have seen and enjoyed people I'd not have met or experienced if it weren't for the unique nature of this group - and I have several cherished relationships that I owe directly to my participation in this guild. It's a really cool thing.

But damn, talk about a pain in the ass, sometimes. Lemme TELL you.