A disadvantage of the "Elder position is earned" strategy

A rouge elder can devastate a clan, so we jump to the conclusion that we must identify and promote only those members we can trust. That makes sense, but is it the best plan at our disposal? Maybe, but as they say, maybe not. When I started playing, I never wanted many elders, but having two rouge elders brought me to think that my promotions were premature, but unfolding drama coupled with a bad day ensures that chaos can ensure with no guarantee for clan safety even with elders we think we can trust. So, what's the solution, promote all members to elder position? No.

What then? I maintain the member count at 45, so kicking the least active members is necessary; otherwise, we are left with unacceptably inactive players, but that says nothing of who should or shouldn't be an elder. I use it as a behavioral modification tool. Unless elder position is demanded, it's freely given, but disrespect or misbehavior leads directly (not to being kicked out) but to losing eldership. If by chance an elder, without the authorization to do so, kicks them out, then the most damage is limited to losing those that have misbehaved. Then, the elder can be dealt with accordingly.

I am gracious in that I give members ample room to cool off and redeem themselves (and potentially get eldership back) so generally I don't kick on misbehavior reasons alone but rather on minimal activity.

So, the children who offer eldership right off the rip may have the right solution--but just not for the right reasons.

Whatcha think?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fast1

A rouge elder can devastate a clan, so we jump to the conclusion that we must identify and promote only those members we can trust. That makes sense, but is it the best plan at our disposal? Maybe, but as they say, maybe not. When I started playing, I never wanted many elders, but having two rouge elders brought me to think that my promotions were premature, but unfolding drama coupled with a bad day ensures that chaos can ensure with no guarantee for clan safety even with elders we think we can trust. So, what's the solution, promote all members to elder position? No.

What then? I maintain the member count at 45, so kicking the least active members is necessary; otherwise, we are left with unacceptably inactive players, but that says nothing of who should or shouldn't be an elder. I use it as a behavioral modification tool. Unless elder position is demanded, it's freely given, but disrespect or misbehavior leads directly (not to being kicked out) but to losing eldership. If by chance an elder, without the authorization to do so, kicks them out, then the most damage is limited to losing those that have misbehaved. Then, the elder can be dealt with accordingly.

I am gracious in that I give members ample room to cool off and redeem themselves (and potentially get eldership back) so generally I don't kick on misbehavior reasons alone but rather on minimal activity.

So, the children who offer eldership right off the rip may have the right solution--but just not for the right reasons.

Whatcha think?

---

I think you should have summarized all this at the end.
I prefer the "zero/one/two/three elder" clans

can i be elder?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by facescraper

can i be elder?

---

No, because you aren't in my clan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pinser

I think you should have summarized all this at the end.
I prefer the "zero/one/two/three elder" clans

---

Even the best judgement in who is promoted can't guarantee that we will be mistake free, and a full clan with so few elders will guarantee clan devastation if an elder turns on you. But yes, I too prefer a small number of elders, but clan reconstruction can be quite difficult should your members not be as loyal as you like, especially in an atmosphere where most players want strong clans.

Sorry for the lack of brevity.

What do you have against elders who like to accentuate their cheekbones? :p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

What do you have against elders who like to accentuate their cheekbones? :p

---

It's not that they do but rather why they do. :D

My clan has 12/49 elder. The elder process can seem both extremely easy and extremely difficult. The biggest factor for it is time. Other factors include donating and activity obviously, but for us time in the clan is our biggest requirement. Other than those we really could care less about trophys or level. We have so many great people that are active and donate, but we want the position of elder to be something important. Those who are elder really don't see it as a big deal, because by the time they become elder they're already respected and "senior" members of the clan. Half the time those we promote, while happy, never asked, not because they were scared to be kicked, but because their just happy to be in the clan and elders not that important to them. We don't have a limit on how many will be elder an hope that at some time the entire clan will be elder because they earned it.

We have two clans, and I was the only leader/elder in both clans, and membership is around 47 plus or minus, as I leave a few spots for visitors and rotations between the two clans.

I was away for vacation this past week, so we locked down both clans, and I made everyone in both clan elders, and I closed the doors for a week (the Closed toggle in clan setup). So that was, in a way, the inverse of no-elders. And we lost three members across both clans in total, who had recently joined, and obviously gained no members (as doors were both closed).

I'm just back, and from what I gather, it seemed to be fine.... point being, from my perspective, the no-elder, or all-elder, ends of the spectrums seem to be fine... in between, can be fine or problematic, depending on your clan's mix of folks. But, ultimately, it comes down to the folks you have in your clan, I suppose.

Illustris the Door Keeper yet Again

Interesting. I will think about that.