Enthusiasm
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General Rules and Code of Conduct

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General Rules and Code of Conduct Empty General Rules and Code of Conduct

Post  Alquiel Fri 12 Feb 2010, 17:55

1. Definition

Enthusiasm is a raiding guild. While all members are actively encouraged to partake in any in-game activity they enjoy, our defining common goal is experiencing end-game content and having fun with it. Actions, attitudes and behaviours disturbing the process of raiding and/or (importantly) diminishing the fun derived from it will thus be viewed upon negatively. In simple words: do not sabotage the raid.

2. Hardcoreness, hardcoricity, hardcorination

Our understanding of raiding is the process of facing increasing challenges and overcoming them together, through a team effort. We hesitate to define ourselves as a "hard-mode guild", because there is no telling in advance what level of challenge will be appropriate for us at what point in time (and because it would be highly pretentious for a new and not very experienced guild). Just know, that we will not permanently settle for farm content when there is still a challenge out there. Also know that everyone will be expected to make an effort to contribute to defeating the challenge. We rise and fall as a team.

3. Core values

a) Respect - for fellow guildies, and for all those with whom we interact. Yes, they may be the biggest douchebag on this planet, but we don't need to lower ourselves to their level of namecalling. We want to keep the name Enthusiasm synonomous with respect and fair play.

b) Communication - if you feel that something's wrong, or you want to speak out about a loot drop, the way a raid went, or well, anything, please do. One of the most important things to us is your letting us know. If there is an issue, it means we can look at how we can work it out. Likewise, if we're doing something right, let us know so we keep doing it!

c) Reliability - during raids we ask for prompt and punctual turnout, fully repaired, flasked and prepared. Hanging around and pulling in more people generally leads to a bad start to the evening, and we'd like to minimise this as much as possible. We understand that real life may get in the way of your plans, it happens to us all. If you can, let us know beforehand.

d) Friendship - to be clear, you are not expected to be "best friends forever" with every member of the raid or the guild. However, we strongly believe that a friendly atmosphere in which you consider your fellow raiders friends in at least the broadest sense of the word, rather than "those other <insert random insult> who will roll against me", is an atmosphere in which both success and fun are much more likely to arise. If two members of Enthusiasm have a serious issue with each other, it is automatically top of the agenda - adversaries neither work well together, nor do they enjoy the process.

e) Teamwork - the ultimate goal.

4. Raid composition

Taking required roles and available players into account it is incumbent on the raid leader and the raid leader alone to fill the spots. The raid leader obligates her/himself to consider performance, team-contribution, attitude and dedication as well as a short-term, mid-term and long-term perspective in his decision. However, the raid leader's decision is final and not subject to objections (other than helpful suggestions), whining or bitching. Any resident complaints or frustrations are to be taken up with the leadership at a point in time that is NOT "during the raid". Voicing complaints at an appropriate time and in an appropriate fashion as such is explicitly encouraged, see 3.b.

5. Attendance

What do you expect to see here? You join us because you want to raid. If you don't, and we need to force you to through ridiculous attendance rules, something clearly went wrong. There is no "required attendance" to be found here, if you don't attend, you don't raid - your loss.

6. Activity

Most of us have day jobs and/or responsibilities. Most of us, however, also consider WoW as their favourite hobby. As such, we are naturally limited in how much time we can spend playing, but are on the other hand inclined to spend significant portions of our free time with it. What this means is that if you are someone who likes to play 12 hours a day you will find yourself out of sync with us just as much as the person who only logs on twice a week. How much of an issue this is for you is, ultimately, your decision, but you've been warned.

This also means that WoW is first and foremost a source of fun and joy for us, an activity to derive pleasure from. It just so happens that we derive lots of pleasure from tackling challenging group content together with a number of people we consider sympathetic (see 3.d). Still, remember (for your own sake) that pleasure is the overarching goal (as with any hobby).

7. Criticism

a) Expression

As our intention is to improve and progress, constructive criticism is welcome and to some degree even needed. We do not want to "just try harder", but instead to figure out what exactly it is we can do to perform better. As such, pointing out what one perceives as a suboptimal approach by another member of the guild is, in fact, encouraged. We all benefit from discussion and analysis. And herein lies the point: make sure it is a discussion, and not a mere "calling out". Whether the topic at hand are spec and gear choices or the way someone approaches their assigned task, give the person the benefit of a doubt and, more importantly, the opportunity to take part in solving what you may perceive as the problem. As a further benefit, the more restrained your criticism is worded, the better your odds at saving face should you be disproved.

Some times may be less appropriate for discussion than others. Typically, during a boss fight is not when you want to revisit your strategy, spec and rotation, save that for the analysis, and make sure you have something meaningful to say. Also, please remember that not every criticism absolutely has to have the form of a public announcement. Some topics bear importance or at least interest to everyone, but for example pointing out that someone has their fishing rod equipped could be handled with a whisper. Use your own judgement and always try to make your criticism a contribution, rather than an expression of superiority.

"It seems you were having trouble at <task>, what did you feel made it difficult to you?" is a lot better than "your <performance at task> sucks".
"May I suggest <alternative approach>?" is a lot better than "<previously selected approach> is dumb".
"As far as I understand, <spec / talent / glyph / item / stat / ability> is not very efficient [for <task> / since <patch version / mechanics change>], is there a particular reason you're using it?" is a lot better than "only morons use <spec / talent / glyph / item / stat / ability>".

Again, keep your eyes on the goal. The goal is for us all to improve and progress, not to show off how big yours is. Quite obviously, personal insults are strictly forbidden.

b) Reception

Keep your eyes on the goal. The goal is for us all to improve and progress, not for you to defend your ground. There is no ground to defend, only our common goals which we can achieve together, or fail to achieve together. The person who just asked you about your selection of spec, talent, glyph, item, stat, ability or approach of a certain task doesn't mean to say you are stupid, bad or worthless - at least they shouldn't! What they do mean is to help you find a solution to what they perceive as a problem. Their perception may be wrong, in which case you should calmly and constructively explain your view. This is the whole point: not playing the blame game, but sharing and exchanging views. Somewhere in-between, epiphany and enlightenment may be found.

Consider your reaction well, and first and most important of all, realise and internalise that you are not being blamed, but asked to contribute. Do not refuse to contribute just to protect your pride. As they say, humility doesn't remove the crown from your head - it shows why you deserve to wear one. You don't have to automatically always do what you're told, but if there's a reason for the way you see something - why not share it? We will all be winners when you do.

Again, we want to find out how we can do better without resorting to "let's just try again, only harder". Maybe the problem is not with you. Maybe the problem appears to surface with you, but originates through another factor. The more precise and objective you can state your case and view, the faster we can pinpoint the actual root of the problem. By contrast, playing upset means that there may or may not be a problem, but we won't know, because you won't tell.

We don't want to hear contrived excuses, off-topic diversions or passive-aggressive remarks. We want to hear your opinion, because we value it.

c) In the Heat of the Battle

We are passionate about things. We care about things. And in the heat of the battle, emotions may boil a little higher than usual. That's okay. The only person who is always, without fail, perfectly calm, is the person who doesn't care. We want you to care. Your adrenaline is pumping high during a raid, and we are not expecting you to be able to word the most polite and reserved way of saying something. By all means, we want to talk to each other, not tiptoe around on pillows of exaggerated politeness. You won't be /gkicked for raising your voice, letting off a snarky remark or generally not being all roses and flowers. Heck, we don't even want you to be all roses and flowers. Just remember that whatever you are intending to say should better be a contribution, rather than a detriment. Making people feel genuinely uncomfortable is a detriment, since it impacts both performance and enjoyment.

If you are, directly, indirectly or perceptively, addressed by criticism in a form you perceive as harsh, not carefully enough worded or generally uncomfortable, remember one thing first and foremost: getting defensive about it does not help the case at all, irrespective of whether the critic is actually right or wrong on a factual level or their choice of tone. Getting defensive means either a shouting match or a pouting match, neither of which is of any benefit to anyone involved. Remember that we all care and are passionate, and someone may just have gotten a little bit more emotional than would have been appropriate. Or maybe it is you who is being too emotional and interpreting a perfectly factual remark as a personal vilification. In either case, address the content, not the tone. And do it in such a way as you'd have wished the critic to take, not in a "deserving comeback" fashion. This is not Reality TV, this is a raiding guild.

Regardless of heat or battles, severe personal insults are neither permitted nor tolerated. Yes, we know, passion, adrenaline, emotions .. we know. But if your natural reaction to stress is to obliterate your fellow people with insults and disrespect, we probably do not wish to deliberately put ourselves into stress situations together with you. We most certainly do not wish to. "He started it" doesn't work either. Grow up.

d) Within the forum

If somebody disagrees with you, or is offended by you, and you attribute that disagreement to some perceived difference between you and them, instead of considering for one second the notion that you might *actually be in the wrong* then yes, you are being a bigot. If you are arguing with a woman, and she gets upset and you say "I'm sorry, I should be more careful when I talk to women" then you are being sexist. If you are talking a homosexual and they get offended and you say "I'm sorry, I should be more careful when I talk to gay people" you are being homophobic. If you talk to *anybody* and they get offended and you respond by saying "I'm sorry, I should be more careful when talking to people like you" you are being a bigoted asshole.
Alquiel
Alquiel
Officer

Posts : 987
Join date : 2009-10-10
Location : South Wales

http://nowiamtree.wordpress.com

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