Guild Write-up / Policies / Rules

It's that time again, just before a new expansion, when guild leaders should be reviewing their guild policies for what worked, what they mentally adjusted during the expansion but didn't document, and get it all down in words.

I highly recommend all guilds have a basic document that does the following:

• Explain what the primary guild goal is.  This goal should be as specific as you can make it.  Your goal here is to delineate your guild from every other guild.  Ways to be different include:
• When you play - Pick a time frame.   Unless you are huge you can't be a raiding guild that raids in the morning, afternoon, night and late night.
• When your primary activity is scheduled.
• What content - Pick what activity will be your primary focus.  It is hard to be strong at Rated Battle Grounds and Raiding and Challenge Modes, etc.
• What Type of Player - Pick if you are seeking hard-core raiders, casual raiders, ranked PvP, etc.
• What age of Player - This might or might not be important to you.  I know it can cause debates, but people in different phases of their life have different priorities and these can impact guild activities.
• Explain guild rules
• How players should act and how infractions are handled.
• How your guild activities operate, who to contact, etc.
• What is required to join an activity, i.e. try out or logs, or just gear checks.
• Their access to the guild bank and how it's handled and what the bank is used to hold.
• Explain guild ranks.  What do your guild ranks mean and how do players get them.  For you, they may only mean access to the bank, but the members they are a prestige as well.  You can use them to signify what activity someone participates in, how much help they provide the guild or even how long someone has been with you.   Some guilds even give them cute names, but just having them is a plus.
• Explain Guild Behavior.   In my guild, I want guild members that are cooperative.  It's very hard to Shepard cooperation but it makes a guild a family instead of just a group of people all competing for the same gold ring.

Doing these things will help slow down membership churn because as you advertise, you know exactly what to say to explain to them what your guild is about.  If they know, they are more likely to jump in knowing exactly what to expect.  Yes, people change and their lives change as well.  But, isn't it better adding members that fit you rather than you trying to fit them.

What kinds of things would you put in YOUR guild policy?

Here is ours.