Fixing the clan

Although I do not represent a popular majority here these are my thoughts....

1. - Clan members should donate either monthly or yearly to help fund the server. I currently do not know what the server costs are but I feel like $1 a month to $30 a year isn't too much to ask from dedicated members. With the 10 to 15 current ACTIVE members this should be enough.... I guess. What this will do is give everyone an equal sense of ownership and a legitimate notion of shared group equality + an equal say in how and why things work within the clan structure.

2. - I think we should have a probation or waiting period for Clan Admins. I don't think 1 year is too much to ask before a member is given the credentials to kick a member for undesirable behavior. I believe that some inadvertently use the Admin credentials in a show of power.

2a. - Admin privileges should definitely come with some financial contribution if #1 posted above is found inappropriate.

3. - I believe "Mini" DOU memberships are suspect to problems. I know that at 8-9-10 or even 14 years of age I was a turd and would not trust myself at that age to represent any group in a desirable fashion. Keep in mind that a majority of server visitors have no idea of the age of DOU members - even if the tag reads as DOU-M.

4. - We have a pretty clear set of rules for behavior on the server - however I think we need an internal group of Admins that review situations such as the one that just occurred and after a problem has been recorded that core group should be the one to make a decision based on the evidence and velocity of the event. That probably should go for any Perma-ban requests/votes by active members against any and all visitors to the server.

5. - I think that any clan decisions should be ultimately decided by members that are currently ACTIVE in the forums and on the Sniper Server collectively - since after all we are a "Sniper" clan. having someone "pop" in to make a decision that no-one knows is detrimental to the clans health in general.

6. - I believe that we should engage the clan in frequent clan gatherings such as DOU vs DOU tourneys, exterior Sniper UT tourneys ect - as a mandatory requirement of active membership. Jsut because we dont always agree with how other clans camp should be no reason to exempt ourselves from growing and forming clan bonds. I understand that we all have lives - I work A LOT building aircraft - but if we have some sort of clan function say every third Thursday or whatever each month I believe that we should require members to make at least 8 of these each year. Or - have 2-3 clan events each month and set a requirement for each active member to attend at least 1 function. THIS WILL HELP US GROW TOGETHER AND PROVIDE A UNIQUE SENSE OF CLAN SUPPORT.

ding ding - two cents from Otis.

i dont know the ins and outs of the clan that have to be sorted

im totaly fine with paying a monthly sum of money

it doesnt bother me

and yes i would feel closer to the clan i spend money on beer and i spend money on tobacco and why because i like it

yes its a dirty and disgusting habits and in our mind we justify it with the money we spend on them why because we love it

we love our bad habits and i love my clan so i dont mind spending a monthly cost np god 😀 bless

Otis_Firefly wrote:

1. - Clan members should donate either monthly or yearly to help fund the server. I currently do not know what the server costs are but I feel like $1 a month to $30 a year isn't too much to ask from dedicated members. With the 10 to 15 current ACTIVE members this should be enough.... I guess. What this will do is give everyone an equal sense of ownership and a legitimate notion of shared group equality + an equal say in how and why things work within the clan structure.

I also like to know what the server costs are. The donations sugested by Otis are fair. I would have make donations before,but I didn’t because it seems you can only donate by Pinpall using a credit card(?)

If there was a {DOU} bank account to transfer to it would be much easier for me and maybe for more of us. Internetbanking is the easiest way to transfer money for a donation imo.

3. - I believe "Mini" DOU memberships are suspect to problems. I know that at 8-9-10 or even 14 years of age I was a turd and would not trust myself at that age to represent any group in a desirable fashion. Keep in mind that a majority of server visitors have no idea of the age of DOU members - even if the tag reads as DOU-M.

The Mini’s should be guided more like recruits, like it was ment to be if I’m correct. They need active sponsors that guide them. Also they should post on the forum every now and then, but on the other hand what can you expect from a minor? It would even be fine if their sponsor would post in name of the mini.

6. - I believe that we should engage the clan in frequent clan gatherings such as DOU vs DOU tourneys, exterior Sniper UT tourneys ect - as a mandatory requirement of active membership. Jsut because we dont always agree with how other clans camp should be no reason to exempt ourselves from growing and forming clan bonds.

I know a lot of members use to hate the FN ladder tournaments because of the differences in camping styles between clans. Most of the times it didn’t seem fair as we played a hardcore camping game and the other clan we’re moving around a lot more than we did. I would say when we’re in a tournament we just adapt. I did always like the thrill of the FN matches. We have a lot of new memberst that havent had the change to feel that thrill. I’m sure there will be new members and recruits, maybe even guests that would like to give it a try again. Sure there will be always disappointment when we loose a game, but as a clan gathering it is absolutely something we should do.

As for the DOU vs DOU. I would give it a try to set it up and make it into a regural event. I will practice to set up the practice server for a tourament. Lately we’ve been on it with recruits and sponsors to practice the maps and we could also do some team games on it. If that works out I will try to make a restart for the DOU vs DOU.

7. -What I would like is that we set up a agenda for future clan meetings on Teamspeak. If there are enough points on the agenda we could scedule an apointment for a meeting on it.

I like number 2 Otis

OMG, all that above looks like a small revolution.

Speaking of fixing the clan I had in mind primarily at improving the integration of its members. The second important aspect is analysis of the recruitment system to prevent the enrollment of 'one-day members'.

Integration and active membership are linked inextricably.

For now, I would suggest not so far-reaching changes as above.

Donation - good idea - we need to resolve the payment way.

I have to think about all that yet.

Otis_Firefly wrote:
1. - Clan members should donate either monthly or yearly to help fund the server. I currently do not know what the server costs are but I feel like $1 a month to $30 a year isn't too much to ask from dedicated members. With the 10 to 15 current ACTIVE members this should be enough.... I guess. What this will do is give everyone an equal sense of ownership and a legitimate notion of shared group equality + an equal say in how and why things work within the clan structure.

2 things about this. First, and most important, when I started this clan I made the decision that nobody would be required to pay anything at any time for membership. This was an important one for me. I didn't want anybody to be excluded because their situation might not allow for dues. When you have been out of work for awhile, 30 dollars is a lot of money.

Second, the costs are covered right now. The web server and domain name have recently been covered, and the server is maintained on a monthly basis by Dylan and myself, as it should be since we are the renters of the server. There have been times in the past when funds were tight with me, and at those times a donation drive happened and all was good. There really is no need right now to have people pay in.

So everybody knows, here is a run down of what has to be paid:

Domain name = Around 10 dollars or so a year, whatever it is.

Web Hosting = About 100 dollars a year

Game server = 80 dollars a month, 40 from dylan, 40 from me (10 dollars a week).

This is all in US dollars.

Otis_Firefly wrote:
2. - I think we should have a probation or waiting period for Clan Admins. I don't think 1 year is too much to ask before a member is given the credentials to kick a member for undesirable behavior. I believe that some inadvertently use the Admin credentials in a show of power.

Yes, not a bad idea. And to that, some people got admin abilities way too soon after becoming members.

Otis_Firefly wrote:
2a. - Admin privileges should definitely come with some financial contribution if #1 posted above is found inappropriate.

Again, funds aren't needed right now. Save the money thing for when they are.

Otis_Firefly wrote:
3. - I believe "Mini" DOU memberships are suspect to problems. I know that at 8-9-10 or even 14 years of age I was a turd and would not trust myself at that age to represent any group in a desirable fashion. Keep in mind that a majority of server visitors have no idea of the age of DOU members - even if the tag reads as DOU-M.

This is a whole other topic that will need to be addressed in it's own thread.

Otis_Firefly wrote:
4. - We have a pretty clear set of rules for behavior on the server - however I think we need an internal group of Admins that review situations such as the one that just occurred and after a problem has been recorded that core group should be the one to make a decision based on the evidence and velocity of the event. That probably should go for any Perma-ban requests/votes by active members against any and all visitors to the server.

Another one that will require it's own thread.

Otis_Firefly wrote:
5. - I think that any clan decisions should be ultimately decided by members that are currently ACTIVE in the forums and on the Sniper Server collectively - since after all we are a "Sniper" clan. having someone "pop" in to make a decision that no-one knows is detrimental to the clans health in general.

Otis_Firefly wrote:
6. - I believe that we should engage the clan in frequent clan gatherings such as DOU vs DOU tourneys, exterior Sniper UT tourneys ect - as a mandatory requirement of active membership. Jsut because we dont always agree with how other clans camp should be no reason to exempt ourselves from growing and forming clan bonds. I understand that we all have lives - I work A LOT building aircraft - but if we have some sort of clan function say every third Thursday or whatever each month I believe that we should require members to make at least 8 of these each year. Or - have 2-3 clan events each month and set a requirement for each active member to attend at least 1 function. THIS WILL HELP US GROW TOGETHER AND PROVIDE A UNIQUE SENSE OF CLAN SUPPORT.

First, another thing that has been around since the founding of this clan was to not require any type of participation like this. It was felt that members should be allowed to participate at whatever level they felt comfortable with.

Dosen't matter anyway, because

Second, with a clan of over 80 people, I cannot get even one person to reliably run the DOU VS. DOU tournaments one day a week. When we did the DOU VS DOU thing on a weekly basis people came around a lot more, and not just for the tourney. But due to the fact that I work nights, I cannot do it anymore, they take place when I have to sleep. In the past, a few people have stepped forward but then fizzled out after a week or two. The last time I posted for a volunteer, right after the last clan meeting where many people complained about not having the tourneys, and several people said they would, nobody stepped up.

T

I like the idea of the DOU vs DOU, but i do not like the way it was presented previously. I would rather it be something similar to what happens with the 2k4 freeze-tag games where there is just a set time and place, members play around on the public server till there are 4-6 members on, then they migrate to the private server and do some DOU vs DOU; inviting guests as needed to fill the spots with teamspeak as a requirement.

I personally don't like the "pick a partner and form a ladder" style tournaments. I just want to have fun, i don't care who wins or who's on my team.

I really don't think there is much wrong with the clan, there will always be some trouble with the large number of members and different cultures and thoughts. But as a whole we have worked through them and had many great times both in game and on Ventrillo/TS3 (Both Members and guests). I for one am sad that {DOU}The_One felt it necessary to leave the clan. I have known him for a few years and he has always been a valued member and friend, as well as a good player. As a teen I know he is going through some kind of shit and may think he is god, we all did at his age, the post of his temper tantrum was never meant to lynch him.

Just to correct a problem that he may not of thought was such a big deal at the time.

What would fix the clan is more members coming in to play and chat, and get to know each other.

both old and new members

grubb

The costs as Tommy stated come to about $90 a month. That would amount to 6 to 9 dollars a month per person with 10 to 15 members making contributions.

I agree with Tommy not wanting to make anyone obligated to keep up the costs of operating our servers but I think it would be good to have a section in the forum somewhere keeping track of how much the rest of the clan is contributing to ease the burden being shouldered by Tommy and Dylan. Even if 9 of us were to spend $10 a month to cover costs just divide that into your playtime on the servers. Pretty damn cheap entertainment for any active member.

Don't need to require anyone to pay but a monthy posting of costs and donations would serve as a reminder for us that there is a cost for our fun.

Not everyone can donate. Not everyone can swing $10 or even $5 a month. But everyone can donate what they can, when they can.

I agree there needs to be a year's wait for full members to become admins. It was this way once and we got away from it a couple years ago.

I probably don't have a popular opinion on the mini's but IMO if you are going to allow your kid to play on the sniper server that kid needs to be supervised. Cutter and Boose do not get to snipe unless I am looking over their shoulder. Although you won't see them much sniping they do spend time on our other servers and on other clan's MH servers. They have a great time and are not a pain in the ass to anybody. And wherever they play I drum it into their heads that they are to act as guests and not be disrespectful to admins.

That may be extreme supervision to some but if anyone is using my IP it is the same as if I'm using it myself. And in Boose's case it also applies to the clan tag. He's a full member but he's still under age and my responsibility.

Bringing back DOU vs DOU on a regular basis is a good idea. If no one is willing to handle it every week, why not spread it out over several people?

I wouldn't mind coordinating with whomever sets up the server and sending out the invites. We should also make a habit out of inviting friends of DOU and those who also could be potential recruits.

Lastly, I think there should be a requirement of any admin that a certain level of activity be required on the forum (especially the security posts) and in the sniper server. Admins need to be in the loop and aware of what's going on to be a benefit to the clan.

Grubb Industries wrote: I really don't think there is much wrong with the clan, there will always be some trouble with the large number of members and different cultures and thoughts. But as a whole we have worked through them and had many great times both in game and on Ventrillo/TS3 (Both Members and guests)...

...What would fix the clan is more members coming in to play and chat, and get to know each other.

both old and new members

grubb

I agree with the above, more meetings on the server or the chat.

To tell the truth I'm more friendly with you than with many people around me. Thanks to you I regain my faith in man.

:peace_v:

well both vent and teamspeak have been used for years and i'm pretty much on it for around 10 hours a day but in all that time i only ever see the same 4-5 people logging in, it doesnt only have to be used while playing...

Does team speak have a chat like ventrilo?

{DOU}.R_Mad wrote: Does team speak have a chat like ventrilo?

Yes it does have chat on it.

{DOU}Cygnus wrote: And in Boose's case it also applies to the clan tag. He's a full member but he's still under age and my responsibility.

Nice point Cygnus. As in my case,The_One is my responsibility.

Grubb Industries wrote: I really don't think there is much wrong with the clan, there will always be some trouble with the large number of members and different cultures and thoughts. But as a whole we have worked through them and had many great times both in game and on Ventrillo/TS3 (Both Members and guests). I for one am sad that {DOU}The_One felt it necessary to leave the clan. I have known him for a few years and he has always been a valued member and friend, as well as a good player. As a teen I know he is going through some kind of shit and may think he is god, we all did at his age, the post of his temper tantrum was never meant to lynch him.

Just to correct a problem that he may not of thought was such a big deal at the time.

What would fix the clan is more members coming in to play and chat, and get to know each other.

both old and new members

grubb

Nice post grubb. I agree, a little time in TS3 to get to know your fellow member goes a long way.

{DOU}Cygnus wrote: The costs as Tommy stated come to about $90 a month. That would amount to 6 to 9 dollars a month per person with 10 to 15 members making contributions.

I agree with Tommy not wanting to make anyone obligated to keep up the costs of operating our servers but I think it would be good to have a section in the forum somewhere keeping track of how much the rest of the clan is contributing to ease the burden being shouldered by Tommy and Dylan. Even if 9 of us were to spend $10 a month to cover costs just divide that into your playtime on the servers. Pretty damn cheap entertainment for any active member.

Don't need to require anyone to pay but a monthy posting of costs and donations would serve as a reminder for us that there is a cost for our fun.

Not everyone can donate. Not everyone can swing $10 or even $5 a month. But everyone can donate what they can, when they can.

I agree there needs to be a year's wait for full members to become admins. It was this way once and we got away from it a couple years ago.

I probably don't have a popular opinion on the mini's but IMO if you are going to allow your kid to play on the sniper server that kid needs to be supervised. Cutter and Boose do not get to snipe unless I am looking over their shoulder. Although you won't see them much sniping they do spend time on our other servers and on other clan's MH servers. They have a great time and are not a pain in the ass to anybody. And wherever they play I drum it into their heads that they are to act as guests and not be disrespectful to admins.

That may be extreme supervision to some but if anyone is using my IP it is the same as if I'm using it myself. And in Boose's case it also applies to the clan tag. He's a full member but he's still under age and my responsibility.

Bringing back DOU vs DOU on a regular basis is a good idea. If no one is willing to handle it every week, why not spread it out over several people?

I wouldn't mind coordinating with whomever sets up the server and sending out the invites. We should also make a habit out of inviting friends of DOU and those who also could be potential recruits.

Lastly, I think there should be a requirement of any admin that a certain level of activity be required on the forum (especially the security posts) and in the sniper server. Admins need to be in the loop and aware of what's going on to be a benefit to the clan.

As far as the cost for the server donations of coarse are always welcomed but a monthly commitment is not. Unless someone wanted to donate monthly but that's all it would be considered "a donation".