Last week I interviewed Kiwi, the leader of the .:VC:. Clan (www.vcclan.org). The clan is based on the game Wildenstein ET, an open source game available for download free. The clan is a well established clan, they’ve been around for over 4 years and they’re pushing 113 official members. This is what he said:
1.) How did you start you clan? What was essential to getting it going?
I started my clan after a few months of talking and planning as many facets of the operation that I could think of. Of course it’s impossible to know everything in advance but you can still make decent plans with the knowledge that you currently have. I think the most essential part of my plan was having a decent reason to bother. I think that having a reason that isn’t just ’stroking your own back’ works best. I knew that if I wanted a server that my fellow New Zealanders and Australians could play with decent ping and if I wanted a community that respected family values and was mindful of children then I would have to make it myself. It was worth my effort because so many people benefited from my plan, including me too of course. Your reasons impact your success.
I started my clan after a few months of talking and planning as many facets of the operation that I could think of. Of course it’s impossible to know everything in advance but you can still make decent plans with the knowledge that you currently have. I think the most essential part of my plan was having a decent reason to bother. I think that having a reason that isn’t just ’stroking your own back’ works best. I knew that if I wanted a server that my fellow New Zealanders and Australians could play with decent ping and if I wanted a community that respected family values and was mindful of children then I would have to make it myself. It was worth my effort because so many people benefited from my plan, including me too of course. Your reasons impact your success.
2.) What do you do to keep you clan active?
Lol, nothing
. I try to shirk most stuff if I can. Developing decent rules and boundaries attracts certain types of people who are more trustworthy and are able to help much more.
Lol, nothing
. I try to shirk most stuff if I can. Developing decent rules and boundaries attracts certain types of people who are more trustworthy and are able to help much more.3.) How do/would you go about arranging such things?
I delegate . People love activity. They love to help or they get bored. I try to teach skills that I’ve learned to other people who are interested. It gives them confidence and also gives me another helper. Everybody wins.
I delegate
. People love activity. They love to help or they get bored. I try to teach skills that I’ve learned to other people who are interested. It gives them confidence and also gives me another helper. Everybody wins. 4.) Now that you’re an established clan, how do you attract/recruit new members?
We don’t actually do any active recruiting. I’ve found that most of our applicants are from ex members who have decided to return.
We don’t actually do any active recruiting. I’ve found that most of our applicants are from ex members who have decided to return.
5.) Do you ever get tired of being a clan leader? What do you do to stay interested?
Yes . Sometimes I don’t play ET for months and then get the itch for it again. I’m very interested in web development and spend lots of time pondering new forum features. I’ve always had an interest in people and I think that is the main reason that keeps me interested.
Yes . Sometimes I don’t play ET for months and then get the itch for it again. I’m very interested in web development and spend lots of time pondering new forum features. I’ve always had an interest in people and I think that is the main reason that keeps me interested.
6.) I know you’ve had issues of sabotage/fights in your clan before, how did you deal with that/what are your views on promoting and giving you members power?
Having problems between individuals can be destructive, especially when they begin involving third parties, usually to score points against the other or to gather support against that other person. I would usually ask the higher ranked member to ‘lead by example’ while also considering our rules and procedures. If they fail to show maturity and prefer to foster negativity then I usually ask them to leave. It seems harsh when you have to ask a member to resign but I guess that is the price you pay when you involve other people in your disputes. If they can’t fix the problem then I have to. Sometimes people just need a forced break from each other before they come to their senses and get their priorities sorted out. Sabotage = !ban. If it’s illegal then it MUST be reported to the authorities. I make a habit of reporting any illegal activity against our servers, forum or whatever. Our Leaders manage our promotions up to Level 6 which are approved by an Owner before being published. Owners decide any new Leadership promotions (all levels 6+). That seems to work well for us. I usually prefer to promote older people to the higher ranks because the tend to be more mature although there are many exceptions. I’ll often allow a younger person an opportunity if they’re capable and keen. The best people to promote are those who are most active.
Having problems between individuals can be destructive, especially when they begin involving third parties, usually to score points against the other or to gather support against that other person. I would usually ask the higher ranked member to ‘lead by example’ while also considering our rules and procedures. If they fail to show maturity and prefer to foster negativity then I usually ask them to leave. It seems harsh when you have to ask a member to resign but I guess that is the price you pay when you involve other people in your disputes. If they can’t fix the problem then I have to. Sometimes people just need a forced break from each other before they come to their senses and get their priorities sorted out. Sabotage = !ban. If it’s illegal then it MUST be reported to the authorities. I make a habit of reporting any illegal activity against our servers, forum or whatever. Our Leaders manage our promotions up to Level 6 which are approved by an Owner before being published. Owners decide any new Leadership promotions (all levels 6+). That seems to work well for us. I usually prefer to promote older people to the higher ranks because the tend to be more mature although there are many exceptions. I’ll often allow a younger person an opportunity if they’re capable and keen. The best people to promote are those who are most active.
I hope that helps
cheers
Kiwi
cheers
Kiwi
