Civilian

It's worth reading D&T's self-eulogy.  I think Civilian has done an excellent job combatting the symptoms described in that rant, but it's a good reminder about how important it is to keep doing so.

but the new people never quite got it. In the end Death and Taxes turned into any other guild, a job for the mercenaries who came here. They logged in at 7, picked up their epics, and logged off until the next raid, and that was never what we were about. We were about having fun, and being irreverent, and being honest with ourselves and each other.

I hope everyone takes a few moments and reads that. As ardent as most of us have become about our guild and WoW, we are as vulnerable to a steady decline of interest as D + T was. Gurruk and Fettle have done an incredible job in providing us with an excellent framework from which to excel, but it is up to each of us who want to keep doing this to contribute to the collective effort. I think we do a great job of that btw, and as some recent departures indicate, those that do not find themselves out of place and ultimately looking for a way out.

WoW!  That was extreemly well written; and heart breaking to read.

It is sad, but I don't know a single person that has lasted in Civilian longer than 2 months if they were just after loot or w/e. This isht gets cut quick.  Civilian isn't about gear, its not about first world kills etc... Its strictly about progression, IMO. It has always been like that. I love Civilian. And if I were to have more time, you can guarantee I would be in there with you guys. I love Civilian. 

 I have only been in the guild for a little over a month, however I can say without a doubt Civilian is ran more like a family than anyother progression based guild.  What other guild's leadership puts forth as much effort to get to know each and every one of their members, and makes them feel as welcome as Civilian?  What other guilds has members as compassionate to help each other out when a guildie is need?  Sure loot is always nice, but the relationships built together while progressing is what is truly valuable.  If one plays a game to get loot they will eventually get bored, they will eventually "beat" the game; however when one plays the game for the comraderie that comes along with it ... Well there is no end to it!  Civilian is a great guild and I do not see what happened to DnT happening to Civlian in a long long time.  Keep it up guys!

When I first read that last week my first reaction was a healthy dose of humility and fear. 

It humbled me because I could relate to how XI was feeling and it scared me because I love what's been created here and I want to grow and nuture it and I don't want to lose sight of our spirit like Death and Taxes did.

Everytime I have to deal with someone harshly, everytime I have to make a tough choice about guild direction, everytime I tweak what we have here or invite someone to the guild I'm putting everything on the line again.  But in reading what XI wrote I realized something.  The fact that I do have fears, that I do approach every major decision with a caution, the fact that we try to make a home for new members and put expections on them to make this their home helps me deal with those healthy fears.  Its not rationization, its recogition that no one is immune, no one is holier than thou, and no one is so secure that they can treat each other with reckless abandon.   

We created the recognition program as a way to continue to grow the spirit of Civilian.  And just like that program, the spirit of Civilian is about you the member and not us the humble servants.  As long as we keep ourselves aligned in this way we will make it through.

Gurruk:

When I first read that last week my first reaction was a healthy dose of humility and fear. 

It humbled me because I could relate to how XI was feeling and it scared me because I love what's been created here and I want to grow and nuture it and I don't want to lose sight of our spirit like Death and Taxes did.

Everytime I have to deal with someone harshly, everytime I have to make a tough choice about guild direction, everytime I tweak what we have here or invite someone to the guild I'm putting everything on the line again.  But in reading what XI wrote I realized something.  The fact that I do have fears, that I do approach every major decision with a caution, the fact that we try to make a home for new members and put expections on them to make this their home helps me deal with those healthy fears.  Its not rationization, its recogition that no one is immune, no one is holier than thou, and no one is so secure that they can treat each other with reckless abandon.   

We created the recognition program as a way to continue to grow the spirit of Civilian.  And just like that program, the spirit of Civilian is about you the member and not us the humble servants.  As long as we keep ourselves aligned in this way we will make it through.

Amen!