Here is the problem:
- Elder status is basically useless in its current state. It is simply a way to designate “member plus.” On the other hand, leader and co-leader status gives people tons of power. They can decide when the clan goes to war, who gets to go to war, send clan messages, and basically run the clan day-today. Some of these decisions can be shifted to the elders.
- This means that the clan is basically run by a small number of people, and a better model would be to spread some of the power around to more members without undermining the power of the leaders to run the clan to their liking.
The solution: keep the power over day-to-day activities and the critical powers over the makeup of the clan in the hands of the leaders and co-leaders, but transfer some of the decisions to the elders acting together.
This can be accomplished by setting up an "elder council," composed of the leader, co-leaders, and elders, that would vote on certain issues. The two parts of my suggestion concern what the elder council gets to do, and who gets to decide how the elder council is composed.
I. Elder Role Enhancements
The elders, along with the leader and co-leaders, would form a council called the elder council. This council would vote on issues and for clan awards. These awards would include a) clan MVP in the last war, and b) most generous clan member.
Each of these awards would be determined by the elder council and would carry minor rewards. For Clan MVP, a small bonus set of top-level troops (the best troops the clan can provide) could be used one time outside of war. For most generous clan member, a small bonus of loot could be awarded. (I'm open to other suggestions about the rewards -- maybe a special trophy/statue that can be placed in their base, for instance.)
Members of the council could also vote to decide how many and which clan members go to war.
II. Changes to Clan Structure
Clans should be able to determine who gets to join the elder council. The leader and co-leaders would be able to decide on the clan structure they will use. They can decide between three types: a) democratic – elders are voted on by all of the members of the clan; b) aristocratic – elders are selected by a vote of the current elders, co-leaders, and leader only; c) monarchy – elders are appointed by the leader (and perhaps the co-leaders).
The leader and co-leaders would also be able to set the number of elders and co-leaders that the clan can appoint. They alone would retain the power to send clan messages and change the basic setup of the clan (open/closed/invite only, location, minimum trophies, etc.).
If a clan's leadership didn't want to use this option, there could be a way for them to opt out. People then can decide which kind of clan they want to be a part of.
