If you want to be everything to everybody, then you have to accept that means conflict is inevitable.
IMO it's much easier to build a guild with a specific focus. That doesn't mean you have to have a hardcore no BS policy, it just means that when someone crosses the line you have to be firm and stick to your guns. Keep an eye out for problem members and either talk to them early on or get rid of them -- the longer you let them fester, the worse the inevitable breaking point will be (and in the meantime, your good members will feel the strain, too).
Also, when you have people walking the line, get rid of them. The result tends to be that everyone in your guild is happier, you're happy, etc. People who walk the line usually do so deliberately, and nothing you say will get through.
Ask people who show initiative to be your officers. Never promote anyone who asks for a leadership position. If they want it, they'll show you by putting the effort in. Don't be afraid to rely on these people. Sometimes it's easy to be perfectionist, and then you find yourself doing all the work and wondering why no one is helping -- don't forget to share the workload. Sometimes people need tasks given to them, as they don't know what to do themselves.
In my experience, you're going to put in way more effort then your members. The first time I was an officer in a serious raiding guild, I commented that I didn't realize how much it was like a second job -- much to the amusement of the guild leader and other officer. It is a lot of work. Be sure to give yourself some self-time at least once a week. Once you start dreading logging in, it's time to take a break.
But above all else, build the sort of community and guild that you want to be in.
(also, as Bryn said, don't compromise your standards. I'm on what some consider to be a very high-standards rp forum. We get maybe 1-2 new members per year, out of scores who apply. Most just get bored of the app process, or if they make it through, don't have enough initiative to cut it. But for those one or two new members who stick, they stick for years (forum itself is turning ten next year). Drama? We don't have drama. Would I rather have hundreds of members over the twenty-something who stick? Nope. I wouldn't have it any other way. Is it for everyone? Nope. That's okay -- there are other places I wouldn't join that are someone's cup of tea, and that's awesome. In my mind, not everything is for everyone, and that's great -- because it means I can find places that cater to my own specific set of interests pretty easily
)
IMO it's much easier to build a guild with a specific focus. That doesn't mean you have to have a hardcore no BS policy, it just means that when someone crosses the line you have to be firm and stick to your guns. Keep an eye out for problem members and either talk to them early on or get rid of them -- the longer you let them fester, the worse the inevitable breaking point will be (and in the meantime, your good members will feel the strain, too).
Also, when you have people walking the line, get rid of them. The result tends to be that everyone in your guild is happier, you're happy, etc. People who walk the line usually do so deliberately, and nothing you say will get through.
Ask people who show initiative to be your officers. Never promote anyone who asks for a leadership position. If they want it, they'll show you by putting the effort in. Don't be afraid to rely on these people. Sometimes it's easy to be perfectionist, and then you find yourself doing all the work and wondering why no one is helping -- don't forget to share the workload. Sometimes people need tasks given to them, as they don't know what to do themselves.
In my experience, you're going to put in way more effort then your members. The first time I was an officer in a serious raiding guild, I commented that I didn't realize how much it was like a second job -- much to the amusement of the guild leader and other officer. It is a lot of work. Be sure to give yourself some self-time at least once a week. Once you start dreading logging in, it's time to take a break.
But above all else, build the sort of community and guild that you want to be in.
(also, as Bryn said, don't compromise your standards. I'm on what some consider to be a very high-standards rp forum. We get maybe 1-2 new members per year, out of scores who apply. Most just get bored of the app process, or if they make it through, don't have enough initiative to cut it. But for those one or two new members who stick, they stick for years (forum itself is turning ten next year). Drama? We don't have drama. Would I rather have hundreds of members over the twenty-something who stick? Nope. I wouldn't have it any other way. Is it for everyone? Nope. That's okay -- there are other places I wouldn't join that are someone's cup of tea, and that's awesome. In my mind, not everything is for everyone, and that's great -- because it means I can find places that cater to my own specific set of interests pretty easily
)
