A Change of Leadership

[Deleted]

I've been feeling more disconnected from the community for the past few months. It's on me really, as my play habits have changed over time. It's been on my mind for awhile that I'm not as social with the guild as I used to be. This is not a desirable trait for a GM to have. Recent events surrounding raiding have only made it painfully obvious how out of sync I am with the rest of the guild. Mirannah has also struggled to maintain any playtime for awhile with the demands of real life weighing heavily upon her. That only lends itself to being detached from the community as well. 

We've tried to maintain from the start that this guild belongs to the community and we as GM's are in more of a caretaker role. As the community grows and changes, there will come a point where we are no longer suited to the task of heading it. We feel that time is upon us. It is our hope that each of you understands our reasons and that what we do, we do for the good of the community. While we could wait for longer until the tension becomes more of a consistent issue, it is a risky thing to wait so long as members grow disaffected and the community suffers. 

It's been a good year and a hell of a run. We've all built so much and come so far during that time and we're proud of each of you and all we did. You all have built a strong community and a place people can call home. We believe it is essential to the long term health of the guild to handle its first peaceful transition of leadership and see it grow into its next stage.



This coming month will be a transition period as we look for a few people in the community to step up and take our place. We intend to make this transition happen swiftly but smoothly.

1) Anyone may reply here and nominate someone to take on the role. We believe no one person will be suited to the task and its diversity, so we're expecting a group of 2-3 to share the power. This nomination period will last for 1 week.

2) We will ask of those nominated who are willing to take on the role to speak up and offer their thoughts on the direction of the guild and how they intended to enact it. Those willing will have 2 weeks to accept the nomination and share their vision for the guild.

3) All members will be allowed to vote in support of as many candidates as they have faith in in an open poll (results will be visible). The highest votes will have your approval to take the reins of leadership and they will come to agreement amongst themselves as to the power structure going forward. This voting period will be for 1 week. 

[<3 :] Mirannah :] <3]

I'll try to keep this short and sweet.

The guild has already grown past what Ten and I feel we can do for it, and that's not a bad thing--it's completely flipping awesome, and all of you should be proud of what you've done to get it to this point.
Whether you've run events of your own, attended events for fun or good friends, even if you've never done anything with us but speak in guild chat, you've shaped the community and made it your own, helped it evolve into something that you and everybody else totally loves.
Every time I'm able to log in, I see someone talking about how much they love it here--with every new person I meet, they tell me how nice this guild is, that it's the best they've ever been a part of. It's true--we fucking rock, and it's because all of you kick major ass and stay constantly involved in keeping the guild awesome.

This is a really exciting opportunity for the guild to advance into something even more awesome, and we hope you guys continue to stay involved and supportive as we move through this phase.

With all that being said, I'd like to nominate two amazing people that have displayed phenomenal amounts of initiative as well as social and leadership skills:

Manila and Sal.

These two have been loyal members and friends to both the guild, and everyone in it. They've worked hard to get where they are in rank, and they deserve so much more praise than I could ever give them for all the help they've given us. Sal is always willing to put in extra work for everything he tries to do, and Manila is one of the most sociable and friendly people I've ever met. Both are skilled, hard-working, and determined to give the guild their best, and I think together they'd be great for the roles.

[Dugand]

I haven't been in the guild that long, but my first thoughts on individuals whom I see more often, active in the guild, and of it's growth are Manila, Moo and Sal.  There are others that are integral parts to the guild and community, yet my lack of time in the community leaves me at a loss for some names off the top of my head.

[Deleted]

I have no words right now.. I just need.. I don't know. In all honestly I'm in shock that this is happening, and I couldn't be more sad and disheartened.


I remember the good days. I wish they'd come back more than ever.

[Deleted]

I came across this browsing the forums a few moments ago:

Jan 5, 2014 at 11:06am QuoteEditlikePost Options Post by Manila on Jan 5, 2014 at 11:06am
I've been playing World of Warcraft since 2007 and I've been in my share of guilds. I have never, and I mean never, been in a guild quite like Voljins Vengeance. This guild family, has been like a second home for me. Ever since I lost my Mom, Cheryl, almost 3 years ago next month, my life has been turned upside down. I was very close with my Mom, and I was devastated when she passed. I've had problems with substance abuse, and sought help, and have been sober for 4 years come March 2014. My life has been up and down and has gone left to right. I have shared some of my darkest stories, my darkest times, in guild chat, because you guys are family to me. I know World of Warcraft is an online MMORPG, but to me (and I'm sure I'm not alone) it's much, much more. It's a place where people meet new people, and form new friendships, relationships, families, and more. To me, WoW is my escape, and Voljins Vengeance is my home in Azeroth.

I just wanted to make a thread to tell you guys that I am grateful every-single-day that I was invited into your family. I feel blessed to have been accepted by you, and honored to be trusted. I know I sometimes tend to become a little emotional, and have thin skin, and for that, I'm sorry. I forget that other people's negative opinions of me are none of my business, and that to every difficult situation, there is a silver lining. I'm still getting to know all of you, and I'm really excited to learn all that I can. I would love to have a real-life gathering at some point to meet and shake each and every one of your hands, and say "thank you for being my friend." In the short amount of time I've been apart of VV, I've never felt so welcomed, accepted, or appreciated.

The recent holidays were not easy for me, and I want and needed to let all of you know that your friendship, your efforts, your sympathies, your logging on vent and talking with me did not go unappreciated. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you for letting me be your friend, a guild member, a voice in your epic community. Thank you.



<3 Love,

Patrick (Manila)
with love,

Manila <3

With all the chaos that's been going on, I honestly have not been looking forward to logging onto World of Warcraft to play. Re-reading this post I made in January has given me a sliver of hope. I still feel the same way I do now, as I did when I wrote that post. We're a family, we go thru tough times. Please, don't let this stupid raiding bullshit destroy and separate our family. When I lost my Mom, I lost touch and disconnected with my blood related family. I don't want to lose this one, too.

[Deleted]

I will second Moo's, Sal's and Manila's nominations and put forth Zeenjan as well. All have deep roots in the community with strong views on how to maintain the atmosphere people want from it. All have also demonstrated a strong commitment as well doing things for others and also doing what they feel needs to be done.

Manila, I don't necessarily agree with mourning for the glory days as I feel it to be blinding to what we have now. Life is change and we have to change with it. My failure to change with it is why I don't feel right remaining as GM. I can wax all philosophically about how we are ever creating the present through our actions and that we must constantly reaffirm the atmosphere we pride ourselves on, but who has time to read all of that.

[Deleted]

I'm declining all nominations for co-gm of Voljins Vengeance.

I also nominate Sal, B, and Palan for co-gm.

[Deleted]

I nominate B, Sal, and Z. They are kind, helpful members of the guild and possess the qualities that are required of a leader. They genuinely care about the other members of the guild and have always gone out of the way to help others with whatever they may need. They have expansive knowledge of the game and each have individual qualities that complement each other.

[<3 :] Mirannah :] <3]

Thanks for the participation thus far, but tell other people as well----bump to put this topic back on top of the list.

[Deleted]

I nominate both Sal and Z, because both possess the quality, dedication, and socially friendly, and helpfulness that would make them good candidates for the role

[vivex]

I could ramble for a good bit for how i feel this is a very very silly idea that is going on, but i get the feeling this isn't debatable i'm assuming Ten and Mira are pretty set for this route? So instead of ranting about how this isnt an idea i agree with at all i will ask these questions. 

1. Will you two still be doing things in the guild? 

2.Will these new leaders be in charge of things like this site, world of logs, and ventrillo or will you two still be handling that? 

I'm am going to be holding off on nominating or voting for anyone in hopes that you two respond and tell me this is debatable so i can hopefully ramble to my hearts content. 

[Deleted]

I do not feel at this time that my vision for the guild is aligned with most peoples. We would not have gone so far as to post this if the decision was not already made.

I intend to stick around at current and continue to do things with the guild.

We will not be maintaining the forums any longer. Since Mira cannot hand over ownership, the new GM's will be made Admins and left to their own devices. I will likely not be uploading info to world of logs, though seeing as I'm the only one who looks at it, I doubt anyone will notice. I can hand over leadership rights there easily enough to anyone registered. Mira and I had not discussed Vent. Mira has been paying for it each month and with money being stretched thin atm, she may prefer if someone else took up the burden.

[Salanas]

Hating what I'm seeing:                                                           

    With this situation I'm honestly at a loss for words and the pain for this has just added to the pile that I already seemed to of had. When the first post was read to me and I was told that I was in the running for the next GM spot I was shocked. It took time for this to sink in and I decided to take time away from the game that day and talk it over with some friends. I then find out this morning that even more have put my name forth and I still can't grasp what I'm seeing. And after talking it over with Yon gave me the final reassurance that negated my fear. I love this guild and the people in it. Some may find that weird and have seen first hand that I am true to my feelings from my outbursts of "Mom!" and "Dad!" sometimes in guild and even calling Nogo Auntie. This guild has done a lot for me in my time of trying to get out of this state I've been in since last October. Without you guys I would have been a hell of a lot worse. So if you read this you've helped me in some way over these past months and I thank you. I told Yon I had few qualms against these votes towards this decision because I fear that taking this position I'll lose friends that I love and I don't know if I'd be able to take that loss and bounce back from it. But she alone gave me hope that if sometimes I make the wrong decision I won't lose her as a friend. And I hope that applies to others. I plead with people that what I've said isn't me being prideful and already accepting I've won this title I'm merely discussing my fear to the possible what-if. I want to help the guild and have stated to some in the past that I put the guild in front of myself at times and I can say I have no regret for that. But I plead with everyone who reads this PLEASE if you are voting for me for this position please consider all aspects before putting my name (If my name is even an option). I don't want this to be simply a popularity contest I want this to be a decision that is rather important and has had some thought. I had a lot of difficulty typing this post for this one hang heavy on my thought process. I thank you for taking the time to read this.


Considerations:
    For individuals that I feel are possibles for the position I put forth:
1. Manila
2. Devesh
3. Palan

I chose these people for the following:
Manila- Kind heart and Great interaction with others
Devesh- Currently been gone but has these qualities: A very kind heart and a nice man, great decision making, and always has great ideas
Palan- Not around quite as much but also has these qualities: Generous, kind, determined, And has crafty ideas

[deathmoo]

First off:

The drama is real!

secondly:

Ten, if the majority of this is due to raid things and people getting upset over that type of stuff, I don't feel it is necessary for you to step down. Put responsibility for that on someone else, and just stand back from it. Obviously this does not mean distancing yourself from raiding, just from the leadership role of it.

With that said, If you are set in this I hope both you and Mira do not plan on taking a huge step back. You are both still a big part of the community and very much needed. Your number crunching when it comes to raiding and your constant pestering when it comes to getting people to do the forums / things related. Also, Mira has a very unique way of recruiting new people, and I think that she should continue those efforts.

[Deleted]

First off i just wanna say that i don't usually post on forums but this guild is important to me and i just feel like i need to throw my two cents in. I have been in this guild since november last year and love this guild. It's one of the best if not the best guild that i have ever been in during my many years of playing wow. I have made a lot of new friends since i have joined. Anyways i could keep going on bout why i love this guild. Now to the discussion at hand...I will prob get some haters but i think that you ten are and have been a good leader but now saying that i think they are some area's or traits that a leader needs that you either don't have or need to work on. I'm not hating on you just speaking my opinion. I think the new leaders need to continue to do some of the things that you have been doing like workshops and such. Mira you seem like a really nice person i haven't gotten to know you like i have the others in the guild since i work a lot and you are busy in real life. Without you and ten leading the guild as long as you have i probably wouldn't have gotten to meet and know all these good people in this guild. I also think that the new leaders need to be able to be around more and need to be sociable. I hate to see y'all step down but respect your decision and agree that something needs to be done and mainly with the raiding aspect of the guild. I'm with moo most of what i am hearing and seeing is over Raiding and this is a very important part of our guild but we shouldn't let this destroy our guild the new leaders should work on this part the most in my opinion. Rest of the Guild Parts seems to be going smoothly. As for my nominations as y'all all know Pat aka Manila is my best friend as much i would like to and think he would make a great leader i respect his decision in not wanting to lead. So my nominations are B, Sal, Zee.