War Machine: Warlords and Beyond

[Dakhan]

Hi all,

Those of you that were present on Mumble the other night will have already heard much of what this post is about, but for those that missed it, those that prefer the written form, and for future reference, here's the plan.

With my move to Auckland and into a real, honest, proper job, my availability in-game has decreased somewhat. It's been something that's been okay for the last little while because there's been not a lot going on in the pre-expansion lull, but now that we're into Warlords of Draenor things are going to start ramping up again, and indeed we're seeing a high number of members online every night since the expansion started. We're also a large guild and having just one person doing it all isn't feasible in any sense, not that I feel like it's been all me at any time - lots of you have helped out in various ways to keep the guild humming along. But I think it's time I put some more "formal" arrangements in place with regard to hierarchy and responsibility.

To that end, I'm looking at implementing "department heads" - people in the guild that will be in charge of certain areas. The idea is to spread the workload between a few more people so that we have a lot more going on in a more efficient manner, and no one person feels overloaded with everything they have to take care of. The kinds of departments I'm considering include:

• Dungeoneering
• Raiding
• Challenge Modes
• Professions
• Pets
• Recruitment
• Events
• etc

This is not a definitive list, and I'm looking for suggestions as to other roles that need to be covered. There are some that will be bigger than others, and I'll have no issue with one person taking on a couple of roles as long as they feel they can handle it. I also have a few people in mind for certain roles, but people have to want to do the job and I'm not going to force anyone into a role just because I think they'd be a good fit for it. I'll still retain oversight over all the departments, and likely take on a role or two myself, but I'll be trusting the department heads to be able to run their own department fairly autonomously.

So, this is the plan. Thoughts?

[sophdog]

Well I'm definitely up for the role of pet er... person. Not necessarily to the exclusion of other roles, but of course, pets jumped out at me.

[eiellith]

Welcome to the real world Dak

I'd like to put my hand up to help with Raiding, however I think this area requires more than a single person, maybe a sheriff with a deputy or two due to the volume of runs and you can't expect a single person to be available one-two (or three) nights per week every week. In this respect I see myself as more a deputy to ensure things keep moving while whoever is in charge is unavailable or wants/needs a break. Happy to discuss further if you'd like.

With respect to Events we might need an "Event Co-ordinator" that can take event suggestions (e.g. a thrown out one liner about a possible event someone could organise) and organise for an Event Committee to expand and follow through with the idea. This way it doesn't always have to be the same people organising something for everyone to enjoy. I see Events being a future requirement anyway as none of us will have time to organise and run events for a number of months (or more) with the new content. At least have someone who can capture the suggestions though.

A couple you didn't mention is:
1. PVP (which may interest some)
2. Old Raids/Acheivement runs

Eie

[Boomtree]

I'd like to put my hand up for guild supplies, which would probably fall across a few of your listed departments (not sure if they are the final version). Basically mats for stuff, buff food, pots, flasks, even gear later on in the expansion when mats are no longer in short supply.

In my mind, this could supply raids, dungeons, challenge modes, events etc. Hence falling across more than one department.

Food for thought.

[leonidas]

Nice call, Boom. I can see you putting together a list of required mats, put together from your own observations and maybe requests from raiders. On the other side of the equation, you requesting certain supplies which are needed or in short supply.

I can also put my hand up for this role (owing to my farming focus). I would also be a good fit for the professions role, and Old Raid Event leader, something I was doing in the lead up to WoD's release.

[Vashyron]

Unfortunately, I am unable to raid on Thursday nights due to other commitments. As such, I am happy to work with the Raid Supplies team to make sure the guild is good to go on Raid nights.

As a side, are there any plans to raid on other nights. Being unemployed, I have nowhere to be most nights.

[Vashyron]

I'd also like to put my hand up as Guild Banker Keeper.

[Bannox]

Hi all,
I know I've taken my sweet time in replying however there are so many things to get done. Ensuring we have some stability in organisation, especially at this early stage, is paramount. As such I am completely behind this setup from Dak and think some organisation is not only critical to the existing members but the new recruits as well. I feel there are five critical roles with functional roles in between to run smoothly

1. Recruitment (GM) – As Dak mentioned he’s likely to pick this one up and I think that’s fair. Ultimately the success of our little band of friends comes back to who the people are and one or two bad apples can spoil the barrel. Very critical to get right in my opinion.

2. Events – I would see this person as someone organising anything that is not considered business as usual for the guild. Old raids, fun events, PVP nights, whatever. Anything that is not current content or simply stuff we don’t normally do.

3. Supplies and Support – Essentially this is more the crafting, guild bank, supplies, and money management of the guild. I would imagine those who love sorting out their banks would appreciate this one. I can imagine them funnelling mats through to specific crafting arranging for people to provide returns for the GB, essentially a giant community work order system. I would also expect them to manage prizes for events and support for teams.

4. Raiding – As you can imagine this is a fairly large piece of work so I suggest we break this down into two areas.

a. Progression – Anything that is deemed new or seriously challenging content. This would include both the progression raiding events and challenge modes. Needless to say this person would be responsible for organising the crazies who want to wipe for 3 hours in a row. They would also be reasonable for providing teams of raiders for help with harder challenges like the Leeroy or Croman followers.
b. Regular – This would be anything that is current tier and considered a regular raiding event. Pretty much our Thursday runs but may extend to additional runs. I foresee this portion being support by 2-3 raid leaders sharing the regular calendar events between them. This does not have to be exclusive to any other role if you wish to pursue both. These are the ‘fun’ run raid nights and as such these raid leaders would be reasonable for ensuring the teams enjoy themselves!

5. Specialists – As required we can add contact people for specialist roles such as Soph’s pets. I think this is more a case by case situation and doesn’t have to be exclusive. Access to certain things may be required and different from any other officer depending on needs. I would suggest this is more a list of people who guildies can contact to ask questions or get support.

Of course this is all just a suggestion, but I thought I had better get my two cents in.

For myself I think many of you will be expecting what I would like to put my hand up for…

Specialist in Pets! Clearly out of everyone in the guild I am the most qualified for supporting and developing people on their journey to pet-hood. Enough said. Where do I pick up my banner?

In all seriousness though, I would be happy to put my hand up for the progression content as bashing my head on the hard stuff is where I get my virtual jollies. Also, I am clearly indifferent to people’s fun times so everything else on the list is right out.

- Bannox

[treeline]

Not sure where my specialition falls, probably in whispers pointing out maybe you do it this way...

[choco]

I would like to nominate for the role of Death training. I am good at dying, I do it quite often, no matter which toon I am playing. I stand in the fire and die, fall off very very high cliffs, walk into bosses naked, and constantly ignore the alarms when GTFO goes off. Oh, yes, I am good!

[Dakhan]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. After reading over it all I've come up with the following departments, and their respective "heads":

• Current Tier Content Head - Bannox
  This covers all current level group content, including raids, challenge modes and dungeons. Bannox will be the head of this department but we will have group leaders underneath this so that all the load isn't on his shoulders.
• Old Content Head - Leonidas
  This will cover the same as Current Tier Content Head, but for previous expansions' content. Things like ICC runs, old school nights, that kind of thing.
• Guild Banker - Vashyron
  Vash will take charge of keeping the guild bank organised, figuring out what we need and what we have too much of. His job will involve interacting a lot with the Supply Coordinator and Profession Head.
• Supply Coordinator - Boomtree
  Not just raiding supplies, this will cover anything the guild and guildies might need. Includes liaising with the Guild Banker and Profession Head to fill the supply needs and the Content Heads for what is required.
• Profession Head - Leonidas
  In charge of professions, and making efficient use thereof. Will keep track of who in the guild can craft what, sorting out profession progression, and assisting the Guild Banker and Supply Coordinator with their roles.
• Pet Wrangler - Sophdog
  Anything and everything about battle pets - where to get them, how to level them, even organising in-guild battle pet-tournaments.
• Recruitment Officer - Dakhan
  Tasked with finding new people for the guild. In charge of interviews, advertising and other related policies.

We'll likely expand this list as time goes on, especially with an Event Coordinator role for those events that don't fall into the already-existing group content - things like the Naked Gnome Races, for example. At this point though with all the new content I don't see us needing that role filled immediately.

I'll be speaking with each of the department heads soon to detail their particular roles. All department heads will report directly to me, and I'm still the person to go to with any issues you might have.

Cheers!

[Hummer]

Happy to Help out in anyway. Bit busy these days with work and have lots of travel planned from Feb to Mar that will impede my continued contributions.

As Boom said, happy to be the addons man if there is a need.

Lux