Post by ☠ʀᴀʙʙɪᴛʙᴏɴᴇs☠ on Dec 29, 2016 15:57:15 GMT -5
THE FOREST AWAKENS: EARNING AND MAINTAINING HIGH RANKS
THE LEADERS OF THE COMMUNITY
As more high ranks will soon be entering into the fold, and as we expand the upper tiers of staff and helpers and those that'll help propel The Forest Awakens forward in terms of organization, we've decided it's probably about time we explain what all we expect from TFA's high ranks. We wanted these expectations, and our goals, to be made public so that everyone can see the standards to which we'll hold ourselves, so that not only regular members can hold us accountable, but also so regular members know just what it might take should they ever desire to take that next step! Our dream in The Forest Awakens is for everyone to feel as though they can make a difference, because they can. And one way to do that, in the most obvious way, is to join the team that'll help hold the roleplay together as a whole.
HIGH RANK EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
So, the question begs: what even is expected of high ranks in The Forest Awakens? Here's a quick guide of the universal traits we expect our HR's to have, regardless of their rank.
Friendly and open. Above all, we want for our high ranks to be friendly and kind to all of their Clanmates, and all they interact with in TFA and beyond. Something that a lot of members have mentioned in the questionnaire is that the one thing TFA staff members should NOT be is closed off and aloof. Thus, high ranks and staff members alike should be the embodiment of an above-average member. Nice to the people they speak with, and open about what they want, what they do, and what they plan to do. And not even just to TFA members! A lot of the work involved in maintaining a roleplay means recruiting, which then means that we should treat any prospective members of The Forest Awakens, and even those who may be unkind to us, in the Grounds the same way that we treat the amazing people already in our community.
Mature and strong. Running a roleplay is hard work. There are a lot of people with a lot of questions, and a lot of ideas. Every new member brings something unique to the table, and with them comes perhaps a whole new round of those questions and ideas. And every once in a while, those questions and ideas may conflict with yours, or someone else's, because we're all human, and not all humans are born to get along perfectly. That being said, high ranks are expected to rise above those conflicts. Be the bigger person, always. High ranks and staff are expected to be the bridge between two differing points, to never belittle or make anyone to feel poorer or worse than they potentially already do. Keep inappropriate talk away from roleplay. All in all, high ranks should be mature, fair, and general enforcers/watchers of the rules.
Fun and interactive. A roleplay is only fun for everyone when all of the characters, and members, are ICly and OOCly interacting and supporting each other. We intend for the IC community to thrive just as much as the OOC one does, and it's one of all high ranks' most important duties to make sure this is happening. High ranks are expected to keep things moving, start and help plan events for everyone to participate in, and to all in all promote the fun kind of atmosphere that everyone deserves to experience in TFA.
Active and present. While TFA doesn't necessarily have any strict activity expectations of its members, high ranks will be held to a slightly higher standard. Leaders, deputies, and medicine cats are all expected to be online, at the very least, at a steadier and more frequent rate than the average member. Everyone has lives, of course, and we do and should acknowledge that, but when it comes to roleplay and FeralHeart, TFA should at least be on the priority list. It's an unfortunate fact, but members (old and new alike) are always more likely to stick around and participate when a high rank is present and interacting with them, and keeping things moving. High ranks also have to be around to plan plot and regular roleplaying events with other high ranks from different Clans, and staff. We have to communicate and keep things interesting, lest the roleplay itself should potentially fall flat.
Leaders, as one might guess, are the highest and perhaps most important ranks that one can hold in any roleplay. The Forest Awakens is no different, but because we intend to be a roleplay that lasts, and sticks out, we do perhaps have some different and somewhat higher expectations of those who hold (or are in line to hold) this position.
(1) Activity - Above all, leaders should be among the most active members in the Clan. You have to be online, interacting, recruiting. Whatever your Clan needs, you must provide. But in order to provide, plan, and execute, leaders have to be around a fair bit, and we all know this. While we're hesitant to put a strict number on "how many days/hours" that you should be online, the fact of the matter is, it should be a lot. You've probably already noticed, but putting together the roleplay has been taking a LOT of work, and maintaining it is going to take just as much, if not moreso. Leaders have to be present, and active, in doing a lot of the legwork involved to do this!
(2) Management - When it comes right down to it, higher members of staff can't be everywhere at once. Leaders will always be regarded as trusted staff members, and thus, your Clan is arguably your own small branch of TFA as a whole. Therefore, your Clan, its activity, and its involvement, are all you and your HR team's responsibility. When there's a slow period in RP, think up an event and reach out to other leaders to see who can help. Come up with an inner-Clan plot that'll involve everyone, confirm it with the rest of staff. When there's a member you're concerned about, whether its for their mental health or their behavior towards other members, ask for advice from other staff members, figure out a way to deal with it as gently and well-managed as possible. You are, literally, the leader of your respective Clan, ICly and OOCly!
(3) Recruitment - It is the leader's chief responsibility to not only keep Clan plots and activity moving, but to also ensure that their member count is remaining pretty steady. When you notice a dip, recruit! Be kind and inclusive to all you meet, especially when they first enter the group. First impressions are everything, as we all know, and when a prospective new member's first experience with TFA is a positive one, we all know they're more likely to stay!
(4) Communication - These last two points are rather interconnected. Communication with your members, and the rest of the leadership team, and other staff members, is crucial to leadership. We should all always be aware of what's going on in other Clans, to make sure that there are never any conflicts for events, that we always know when and where something should be happening, and how the plot is progressing. Discord, Skype, PM's, leaders have to be available to communicate and speak to the other high ranks of the roleplay in one way or another. If we're not all on the same page, it can quickly lead to tension and discoordination, something we would desperately like to avoid. Leaders are expected to be at the forefront of this communication, and to be the "main" representative of their Clan.
(5) Teamwork - Alongside communication comes teamwork. Leaders may be at the head of their Clan, but a head can't operate without a neck, shoulders, or body, right? Communicate and work with your fellow high ranks, and the staff. We're a team, and leaders are expected to act as such. But leaders should not just communicate and work with fellow high ranks. Listen to the members of your Clan, hear their suggestions, see what they want to see. All in all, we are all one community. A leader, while acting with some level of authority, should never forget that crucial tidbit!
When someone is selected as deputy, this should always be at the forefront of peoples' focus: the deputy is next in line to become leader. In a lot of other roleplays, perhaps, the deputy may simply be regarded as a high-rank, and maybe even unimportant. Here, in TFA, we couldn't think more differently. Deputies, as we see them, are essentially leaders in training, and should approach the position as such.
(1) Initiative - As deputies are indeed the next-in-line to become a leader should the current leader die or retire, they need to show the same level of initiative as leaders do. Especially if their leader is not online, or can't be. While the leader gets the final say in plotting and courses of action, when the leader is on absence, the deputy is the leader in their stead. This means that the deputy must be as active as the leader when it comes to beginning roleplay, helping plan events, etc. And if a deputy notices that their leader might be slacking in one way or another, the deputy must be able to either kindly/gently bring it up to their leader personally, or to another staff member.
(2) Helping Out - Just as well as ICly, the deputy is OOCly expected to help the leader out when they're asked. (No, the deputy is not the leader's lil' servant, absolutely not, and leaders should never treat their deputies as such.) If a leader needs help with sorting out a tiff between two members, the deputy must also be willing to assist in helping to sort things out. If a leader needs help with coming up for ideas for a fun Clan-wide event to spice up roleplay, the deputy is expected to help plot and plan for such events. Be a helper. Support, support, support!
(3) Activity - While not leader yet, a deputy also needs to be online a lot in order to both help promote Clan activity and keep things moving. You can't do that if not present! Activity also means being able to communicate as often as possible, and willing to talk or plan in order to put things together with your team of high ranks and other folks. Be available, be online, and participate!
(4) Communication - As stated above, deputies need to be able to communicate and work with their leader, medicine cat, and the high ranks of other Clans, and be ready to talk when the need arises. Be open and adaptable! Open lines of communication amongst all levels of roleplay are vital for its survival, and deputies have to be ready to talk to others and network in order to help make sure that their Clan doesn't fall inactive!
While medicine cats may not have as many OOC duties as a leader or deputy, they're still a remarkably important high rank; otherwise, they wouldn't be a high rank to begin with! A lot of a medicine cat's duties are IC, but they also have a role to play OOCly as well.
(1) Plot Movement - In some ways, medicine cats are almost more important than leaders or deputies when it comes to potential big plot movement. Medicine cats are meant to be the Clan's connection to StarClan, and help clean up after massive battles and be ready to take care of warriors and/or apprentices and/or any other Clanmates who are in need of medical assistance. Medicine cats in the books always appear to be busy, and so should your character be, ICly! Participation and activity are an absolute must from anyone who takes on these positions.
(2) Communication - See a running theme? While medicine cats may not necessarily be responsible for leading a Clan or making big decisons about who to let in, etc., they should still be available to offer advice and help whenever the leader or deputy need it. They also get to help plan out events and figure out when they're available to heal up warriors after battles, when they can participate in important Clan plots, etc.!
(3) Activity - Again, a running theme you might have spotted. Medicine cats need to be around when they can be, especially when needed for plot events! They're fun to interact with, even when there's nothing big going on, and medicine cats should be around just as much, if not more often, than regular members in order to help promote dynamic and fun roleplays. And when there are things going on in camp, the medicine cat should be involved, in one way or another! Being online and participating are both incredibly important parts of being a Clan's medicine cat.
Friendly and open. Above all, we want for our high ranks to be friendly and kind to all of their Clanmates, and all they interact with in TFA and beyond. Something that a lot of members have mentioned in the questionnaire is that the one thing TFA staff members should NOT be is closed off and aloof. Thus, high ranks and staff members alike should be the embodiment of an above-average member. Nice to the people they speak with, and open about what they want, what they do, and what they plan to do. And not even just to TFA members! A lot of the work involved in maintaining a roleplay means recruiting, which then means that we should treat any prospective members of The Forest Awakens, and even those who may be unkind to us, in the Grounds the same way that we treat the amazing people already in our community.
Mature and strong. Running a roleplay is hard work. There are a lot of people with a lot of questions, and a lot of ideas. Every new member brings something unique to the table, and with them comes perhaps a whole new round of those questions and ideas. And every once in a while, those questions and ideas may conflict with yours, or someone else's, because we're all human, and not all humans are born to get along perfectly. That being said, high ranks are expected to rise above those conflicts. Be the bigger person, always. High ranks and staff are expected to be the bridge between two differing points, to never belittle or make anyone to feel poorer or worse than they potentially already do. Keep inappropriate talk away from roleplay. All in all, high ranks should be mature, fair, and general enforcers/watchers of the rules.
Fun and interactive. A roleplay is only fun for everyone when all of the characters, and members, are ICly and OOCly interacting and supporting each other. We intend for the IC community to thrive just as much as the OOC one does, and it's one of all high ranks' most important duties to make sure this is happening. High ranks are expected to keep things moving, start and help plan events for everyone to participate in, and to all in all promote the fun kind of atmosphere that everyone deserves to experience in TFA.
Active and present. While TFA doesn't necessarily have any strict activity expectations of its members, high ranks will be held to a slightly higher standard. Leaders, deputies, and medicine cats are all expected to be online, at the very least, at a steadier and more frequent rate than the average member. Everyone has lives, of course, and we do and should acknowledge that, but when it comes to roleplay and FeralHeart, TFA should at least be on the priority list. It's an unfortunate fact, but members (old and new alike) are always more likely to stick around and participate when a high rank is present and interacting with them, and keeping things moving. High ranks also have to be around to plan plot and regular roleplaying events with other high ranks from different Clans, and staff. We have to communicate and keep things interesting, lest the roleplay itself should potentially fall flat.
Leaders
Leaders, as one might guess, are the highest and perhaps most important ranks that one can hold in any roleplay. The Forest Awakens is no different, but because we intend to be a roleplay that lasts, and sticks out, we do perhaps have some different and somewhat higher expectations of those who hold (or are in line to hold) this position.
(1) Activity - Above all, leaders should be among the most active members in the Clan. You have to be online, interacting, recruiting. Whatever your Clan needs, you must provide. But in order to provide, plan, and execute, leaders have to be around a fair bit, and we all know this. While we're hesitant to put a strict number on "how many days/hours" that you should be online, the fact of the matter is, it should be a lot. You've probably already noticed, but putting together the roleplay has been taking a LOT of work, and maintaining it is going to take just as much, if not moreso. Leaders have to be present, and active, in doing a lot of the legwork involved to do this!
(2) Management - When it comes right down to it, higher members of staff can't be everywhere at once. Leaders will always be regarded as trusted staff members, and thus, your Clan is arguably your own small branch of TFA as a whole. Therefore, your Clan, its activity, and its involvement, are all you and your HR team's responsibility. When there's a slow period in RP, think up an event and reach out to other leaders to see who can help. Come up with an inner-Clan plot that'll involve everyone, confirm it with the rest of staff. When there's a member you're concerned about, whether its for their mental health or their behavior towards other members, ask for advice from other staff members, figure out a way to deal with it as gently and well-managed as possible. You are, literally, the leader of your respective Clan, ICly and OOCly!
(3) Recruitment - It is the leader's chief responsibility to not only keep Clan plots and activity moving, but to also ensure that their member count is remaining pretty steady. When you notice a dip, recruit! Be kind and inclusive to all you meet, especially when they first enter the group. First impressions are everything, as we all know, and when a prospective new member's first experience with TFA is a positive one, we all know they're more likely to stay!
(4) Communication - These last two points are rather interconnected. Communication with your members, and the rest of the leadership team, and other staff members, is crucial to leadership. We should all always be aware of what's going on in other Clans, to make sure that there are never any conflicts for events, that we always know when and where something should be happening, and how the plot is progressing. Discord, Skype, PM's, leaders have to be available to communicate and speak to the other high ranks of the roleplay in one way or another. If we're not all on the same page, it can quickly lead to tension and discoordination, something we would desperately like to avoid. Leaders are expected to be at the forefront of this communication, and to be the "main" representative of their Clan.
(5) Teamwork - Alongside communication comes teamwork. Leaders may be at the head of their Clan, but a head can't operate without a neck, shoulders, or body, right? Communicate and work with your fellow high ranks, and the staff. We're a team, and leaders are expected to act as such. But leaders should not just communicate and work with fellow high ranks. Listen to the members of your Clan, hear their suggestions, see what they want to see. All in all, we are all one community. A leader, while acting with some level of authority, should never forget that crucial tidbit!
Deputies
When someone is selected as deputy, this should always be at the forefront of peoples' focus: the deputy is next in line to become leader. In a lot of other roleplays, perhaps, the deputy may simply be regarded as a high-rank, and maybe even unimportant. Here, in TFA, we couldn't think more differently. Deputies, as we see them, are essentially leaders in training, and should approach the position as such.
(1) Initiative - As deputies are indeed the next-in-line to become a leader should the current leader die or retire, they need to show the same level of initiative as leaders do. Especially if their leader is not online, or can't be. While the leader gets the final say in plotting and courses of action, when the leader is on absence, the deputy is the leader in their stead. This means that the deputy must be as active as the leader when it comes to beginning roleplay, helping plan events, etc. And if a deputy notices that their leader might be slacking in one way or another, the deputy must be able to either kindly/gently bring it up to their leader personally, or to another staff member.
(2) Helping Out - Just as well as ICly, the deputy is OOCly expected to help the leader out when they're asked. (No, the deputy is not the leader's lil' servant, absolutely not, and leaders should never treat their deputies as such.) If a leader needs help with sorting out a tiff between two members, the deputy must also be willing to assist in helping to sort things out. If a leader needs help with coming up for ideas for a fun Clan-wide event to spice up roleplay, the deputy is expected to help plot and plan for such events. Be a helper. Support, support, support!
(3) Activity - While not leader yet, a deputy also needs to be online a lot in order to both help promote Clan activity and keep things moving. You can't do that if not present! Activity also means being able to communicate as often as possible, and willing to talk or plan in order to put things together with your team of high ranks and other folks. Be available, be online, and participate!
(4) Communication - As stated above, deputies need to be able to communicate and work with their leader, medicine cat, and the high ranks of other Clans, and be ready to talk when the need arises. Be open and adaptable! Open lines of communication amongst all levels of roleplay are vital for its survival, and deputies have to be ready to talk to others and network in order to help make sure that their Clan doesn't fall inactive!
Medicine Cats
While medicine cats may not have as many OOC duties as a leader or deputy, they're still a remarkably important high rank; otherwise, they wouldn't be a high rank to begin with! A lot of a medicine cat's duties are IC, but they also have a role to play OOCly as well.
(1) Plot Movement - In some ways, medicine cats are almost more important than leaders or deputies when it comes to potential big plot movement. Medicine cats are meant to be the Clan's connection to StarClan, and help clean up after massive battles and be ready to take care of warriors and/or apprentices and/or any other Clanmates who are in need of medical assistance. Medicine cats in the books always appear to be busy, and so should your character be, ICly! Participation and activity are an absolute must from anyone who takes on these positions.
(2) Communication - See a running theme? While medicine cats may not necessarily be responsible for leading a Clan or making big decisons about who to let in, etc., they should still be available to offer advice and help whenever the leader or deputy need it. They also get to help plan out events and figure out when they're available to heal up warriors after battles, when they can participate in important Clan plots, etc.!
(3) Activity - Again, a running theme you might have spotted. Medicine cats need to be around when they can be, especially when needed for plot events! They're fun to interact with, even when there's nothing big going on, and medicine cats should be around just as much, if not more often, than regular members in order to help promote dynamic and fun roleplays. And when there are things going on in camp, the medicine cat should be involved, in one way or another! Being online and participating are both incredibly important parts of being a Clan's medicine cat.
EARNING A HIGH RANK
Read through the expectations, and still want to contribute, to become a part of TFA's high rank team? We welcome and cherish absolutely everyone in the roleplay, but it's always a special token of appreciation when someone is given a high rank. It's a badge of honor, as it were. So how is it earned?
Just like any other special permission or role that may be given to a member, it's given because that member has shown themselves to be dedicated, active, and generally a positive force within the roleplay. It's true that high ranks may not open up very often. Whether it's by plot, inactivity, or other unfortunate circumstances, though, they do become available from time to time. In most cases, auditions will be posted, and while staff and other high ranks will take each and every audition seriously regardless of the source, the fact of the matter is that picking a high rank is as much an OOC decision as it is an IC one.
So what does that mean? Think about it. If staff has the choice between picking someone who's online once every few days, doesn't participate or initiate any roleplay and constantly claims that they're bored, versus someone that they notice online a lot, who is participating and has fun and dynamic characters, and always welcomes new members whenever we're out recruiting... who do you think is the logical choice? The staff notices who gets online and who doesn't, pays attention to who's doing good things within the roleplay, and who just sits back and does nothing. While that's not to say we expect any and all members to behave a certain way (we're all unique, after all!), but when it comes to selection of the higher ranks, we know what we're looking for. And, generally, we can pick the person(s) that exemplify the qualities that the roleplay needs. Activity, dedication, maturity, and openness are generally the traits we look for when seeking out potential high rank candidates.
But nobody should ever, ever get discouraged. We don't care about peoples' age, their experience, or where they come from. What we care about is your time in The Forest Awakens, and the dedication you show to this roleplay, and this community. If you feel as though you stand a chance, and have what it takes to fulfill the expectations above (regardless of the competition!) always feel as though you can and should try out for such positions when they open up. When we see that you have interest in becoming a high rank, or putting forth more effort into the roleplay, we notice that too. And if you don't receive the role you want, your reaction matters to us. Never, ever feel as though you didn't receive the role because you weren't good enough, or feel as though you'll never (in the words of Hamilton) rise above your station. There will always be other chances, other ways to participate in the roleplay!
Never get discouaged. Regardless of whether or not you are a high rank, or feel as though you're capable of having one, each and every one of you is cherished and loved here in TFA!
Just like any other special permission or role that may be given to a member, it's given because that member has shown themselves to be dedicated, active, and generally a positive force within the roleplay. It's true that high ranks may not open up very often. Whether it's by plot, inactivity, or other unfortunate circumstances, though, they do become available from time to time. In most cases, auditions will be posted, and while staff and other high ranks will take each and every audition seriously regardless of the source, the fact of the matter is that picking a high rank is as much an OOC decision as it is an IC one.
So what does that mean? Think about it. If staff has the choice between picking someone who's online once every few days, doesn't participate or initiate any roleplay and constantly claims that they're bored, versus someone that they notice online a lot, who is participating and has fun and dynamic characters, and always welcomes new members whenever we're out recruiting... who do you think is the logical choice? The staff notices who gets online and who doesn't, pays attention to who's doing good things within the roleplay, and who just sits back and does nothing. While that's not to say we expect any and all members to behave a certain way (we're all unique, after all!), but when it comes to selection of the higher ranks, we know what we're looking for. And, generally, we can pick the person(s) that exemplify the qualities that the roleplay needs. Activity, dedication, maturity, and openness are generally the traits we look for when seeking out potential high rank candidates.
But nobody should ever, ever get discouraged. We don't care about peoples' age, their experience, or where they come from. What we care about is your time in The Forest Awakens, and the dedication you show to this roleplay, and this community. If you feel as though you stand a chance, and have what it takes to fulfill the expectations above (regardless of the competition!) always feel as though you can and should try out for such positions when they open up. When we see that you have interest in becoming a high rank, or putting forth more effort into the roleplay, we notice that too. And if you don't receive the role you want, your reaction matters to us. Never, ever feel as though you didn't receive the role because you weren't good enough, or feel as though you'll never (in the words of Hamilton) rise above your station. There will always be other chances, other ways to participate in the roleplay!
Never get discouaged. Regardless of whether or not you are a high rank, or feel as though you're capable of having one, each and every one of you is cherished and loved here in TFA!
CURRENT LEADERS | CURRENT DEPS | CURRENT MC'S |