Star Trek Gamers - ClanBase

Getting your clan member active

Part 2 - Keeping the rank and file interested

Most people when starting a clan don't realise just what kind of work is involved in actually maintaining the clan and keeping it running.

The old days of Star Trek clans have long since gone now being replaced by a type of clan where the emphasis is not so much on the leadership, but on the members.  A lot of clans in the past has fell foul to the leadership ignoring the "rank and file" of the clan, the members.  Don't make the same mistake!

1. Listen to your membership.
   
   The first and last rule of any new or old clan is your members come first...and last.  Never forget this simple rule.  The fact is even though the Star Trek gaming franchise brings in hundreds of millions of dollars into the coffers of CBS the actual online player base is relatively small compared to games like the Quake series.  Because of this a clan cannot afford to ignore the pleas and concerns of it's membership.
   
   From simple things like questions from new members to concerns from your older members, a leader's role is to listen, not just dictate.
    

2. The UFP Trap...be warned!
   
   The UFP trap refers to the kind of trap which normally befalls certain clans who base themselves off the basics of the United Federation of Planets in Star Trek, namely the clan council approach.  Massive clans of more than 50 members 9 times out of 10 revert to this style of government which in theory should work, but in practice rarely ever does.
   
   The UFP style of clan is much like the United Nations of the present day, a lot of red tape, but nothing gets done.  If you do decide to go for this kind of government for your clan be warned...they almost always end in disaster.  These types of clan councils have to be ruled on the basics of a pure Parliamentarian approach of government and not a full out democracy.
    

3. Show that YOU care.
   
   This might seem to fall under point number 1 but this is an entirely different matter.
   
   Listening to the membership and showing them that you care is too different things.  For a start showing that the clan leader cares about the smallest of ensigns means simple things like chatting to the members or knowing them by their first name.  It's one thing to listen to the complaints and everyday gripes of the members, its another to have them follow you wherever you lead them.
   
   To be a good leader of men you must be a "people person" and be seen to engage the membership in conversation and not just see them when they have something to complain about.
    

4. Give ranks that MEAN SOMETHING.
   
   This is another thing which can sometimes cause problems.  A member who has been loyal and stuck with your clan through thick and thin see's a new member come in and almost instantly get a rank one or two higher than them.  This kind of thing almost always leads to arguments and people leaving your clan.
   
   Ranks have to mean something, not just be given out to any old person who wants to be promoted.  Giving ranks out which are higher than Lieutenant should only be done when the person is running a section of the website or has shown a good aptitude for a command position within your clan.  Giving someone a captains rank just because they are well known should NEVER be done, the member whether known or unknown should have to prove themselves to you and the leadership.
    

5. Keep the site and forums active.
   
   The old days of clans back in the 90's had a simple site built in FrontPage 97 and old style CGI based boards.  Nowadays the age of portals and massive php based forums have entered into the world of clan sites.
   
   A clan site and forum is the second level of interaction between the members.  Most of your recruits will probably find out about your clan via your site and other clans will learn about your clan via your forums and the way it is moderated.  These days the clan world is virtually dominated by the website's of the various clans in Star Trek gaming.
   
   If you are running a Star Trek clan you need to make sure that the forums and site that your clan is running on is constantly updated, you need to think of the site and forum as the front door of your clan organization.