Walrus Clan telling it like it is

Walrus clan isn't for everyone. There is a lot about it that is positive, but truth of the matter is, it's not without its downside, and that's coming from me, the leader, fast. I've realized from the start that loyalty is not to be expected (at least over the short run), and the turnover rate (at least in the beginning) was phenomenal. Simply put, people would leave, but many (many, I say) come back, and the reason is simple: 1) it's a great clan, and 2) members know what to expect. Loyalty does occur, but it takes time, and it's usually the returning players that are the most loyal of all. It's not until they feel a sense of belonging that they truly start to become loyal members. The increase loyalty has significantly slowed the turnover rate over the last six months since I started the Walrus Clan, but there is a reason why we don't stay at full capacity, and that reason is me.

Leaders want loyalty, but what leaders often forget is that members too want a loyal leader, one that will be there for them (and not kick them) when a player has had a bad week, for instance, in terms if donation requirements. I have given some slack (maybe too much in the beginning), but the tolerance for lack of donations has lessened significantly--not to a critical point, but significantly enough to know that it's my quick decisions to kick that limit any high expectations for loyalty I might want.

I'm not callous, but high performing members know all too well that it's their performance that keeps them in the clan. I'll cut someone a break here or there, more so to very long-term members, but it's less frequent than days gone by.

A second reason for the turnover is my increased expectations. Back in the day, 100 donations kept you safe, but with a clan wide goal of every member donating 700 troops over a two-week period (and maintaining the cumulative average of 50'a day), people that have grown accustomed to the low expectations and have been let go after repeatedly maintaining less than half of what is expected. Some say it's a lot, and some it's not, and I'd say both are correct depending on the interpretation. It's low in that many can donate that amount, but it can be a challenge (and quite a commitment) to maintain that for season after season after season.

Anyone interested in joining needs to be prepared to donate an average of 50 a day. But, there are other issues to consider. A specific age is (for instance, 18) is not required, but the number one rule that is HIGHLY enforced is that you must be respectful to your clanmates even when they are not respectful to you. Speaking of age, it's quite refreshing how easily and willingly young people can adapt to a well behaved environment--I've been totally impressed! Everyone knows that everyone must be nice, and I've come into the clan many times where the youngest of players were teaching what is expected to new members that misbehavior isn't tolerated.

This clan is not an archer only clan. The rule, despite opposition by many nonmember long term CoC players, is that we are happy with what we get. It may not be the wisest of rules, but despite the occasion dislike of what's donated, it's my experience that we (as a continually growing clan) that overall and over the long run, expectations are often exceeded accompanying unexpected and pleasing surprises.

The only seemingly oddball rule I have is that it's a 45 member max clan. That doesn't mean that a 46th or 47th member can't join; it means that if they join, it won't be long before some underperforming player has to go. That doesn't mean they can't rejoin and get their act together.

So, are we a farming clan or a trophy clan? Well, I have the heart of a trophy hunter but the fist of a farmer. To me, what's far more important as we grow are these three thing: upgrade, upgrade, upgrade. So long as you're upgrading, you're doing what needs to be done, for it's our combined strength that will best equip us to compete with high up the leader board clans, and until such time comes, we are better off being where we can best upgrade our villages.

There's so much more to say, but this is getting lengthy, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask. You are invited to visit, kick your shoes off, and sit a spell. Oh, and I don't divulge my age :-)