Merge with Smokers Choice [Details on How-to Vote]

If you're a current raider, important you read all of this and respond.

This is a combination of minutes written by Huitzz (for the yesterday meeting between Loxic and Whispered related to a guild merge with Smokers Choice (lv 7, 7/8 DS, no attemps in FL) and Mayleene’s extra comments. Last editor is Mayleene. Reviewed by Loxic and Huitzz.

Hence forth, I and me are in reference to Mayleene and comments in brackets are either her opinion or from previous whisper discussions between Loxic and Mayleene; us, we, and our, the guild, more specifically the raiding subset; and they and them, the interested parties in Smokers Choice who will join Whispered.

Loxic, the leader of Smokers Choice, has requested a merge with Whispered as their Finnish guild members have left to create their own “Finnish only” guild. Loxic raided with Huitzz and Brutalboy in a FL pug and liked our spirit.

• They will be joining us in Whispered, with some gold (~5k), and considering leaving an alt (and inviting our alts) so we can use Smokers Choice as (raider) bank storage.
• The members Loxic will be bringing are good spirited.
• They decided recruiting and re-gearing new recruits might have led to a loss of raiding spirit.
• Potential interested parties:
• Loxic: Fury Warrior, 391 ilv, ~31k avg DKP in DS
• Deathsclaw: Feral Druid tank, ??? ilv
• [Since Deathsclaw is an ex-Whispered who current guildies have issues with, he will be expected to follow the same conditions other guildies do (be mostly PvE geared and enhanced for raiding, be expected to show up regularly and tolerate being benched, etc). Basically, people did not enjoy his “arrogance” and “elitist attitude.” I have given him a heads up about this and he understands and is willing in trying again.]
• Dineet: Boomkin Druid, ??? ilv, ~25k DPS, is willing to respec to Resto Druid but is not his regular role, [and hopefully gets glyphed, Whispered’s Thrones offers affordable glyphs based on current market price of mats ~30G on 1/10]
• Elbartho: MM Hunter, 382 ilv, ~25k DPS, [hopefully also gets glyphed...]
• Matryhn: Holy Paladin, 381 ilv, [glyphs, enchants]
• [Maybe a Holy Priest, offered by Whip after looking at their roster]

They realize they can’t expect raid spots right from the start and eventually will get allowance into main raids. [These are Loxic’s words but during the meeting I explained that they will be treated same as any other new members: incorporated slowly to see how they perform and interact with the rest of the raiders. The most important part is that they will need to understand that there will be benching. However, they will not be the only ones hurt in this way; this merge will also be forcing us to bench more with a group that just needs a bit longer to progress if we had not been given this opportunity.]

Goals:
-The plan from Loxic was to potentially and eventually move into having 2 separate 10 man raids. I emphasized that one will be more of a “hardcore” raid and other “softcore” (for the raiders who didn’t get into the the first group that week and/or newlings/casuals).
-To ensure this implementation is successful, upon merge, the current group will become Group 1 and be the focus while Loxic will be tracking and recruiting fillers for a second group. (Those who are benched may feel free to make their own group, while keeping the consideration of the guild possible need of replacements in mind. So if possible, try to make it on Tuesday and/or when you know you won’t be needed.) If and when the first group reaches a satisfactory raid progression, Group 1 may consider ways to help Group 2, such as boosting in Group 1 and/or mains/alts joining Group 2. Details to be reviewed when we’re closer to this point.

-Once there is enough (6-8) for a a regular second group, implementation will begin. Loxic (or anyone else who decides to step up) will be the one putting in the effort to implement and maintain a second group.
-Maintain 90% raider happiness. (Okay... so joking about the numbers but basically meaning to make sure almost all of us are happy the majority of the time.)

The Conditions (as required by Mayleene):
-There will always one core group (Group 1) whose focus will be to progress as much as they can, aiming towards HC DS and maybe HC FL (not splitting skills between the groups until we are able to reach goal number two), which will start as mainly Whispered raiders and Smokers Choice raiders to fill in moving towards assimilating both guilds
-Loxic will RL (unless someone else rather), recruit (if needed), and put in the effort to make Group 2 work and ensure that we and they are happy.
-[Feasts, flasks, and other necessary supplies for Group 2 may become the responsibility of Loxic. I will try to help where I can but currently even Group 1 has slight trouble with Lavascale Catfishes and Flask of Draconic Mind.]
-[The second group does not vastly hinder the progression of the first group beyond minor issues. For example, a main should not regularly be saved for group 2 and cannot be there to progress or group 1.]
-[The benefits from this merge need to outweight the costs and hassle Whispered has to encounter to accommodate Smokers Choice members.]

“Transfer” of Authority:
Loxic has anticipated some of our hesitation and has suggested that Mayleene will have the highest authority in all of this. Because he believes we are a good guild and that his guild members trust him, he will proactively make sure his guildies understand this point. [This will ensure that Whispered’s interests are a priority. Otherwise, I feel this merge only benefits us slightly (a few great players who know tacts and may get us the kills a week earlier but displaces many of our DPSers) and them tremendously (basically a full raid group already in place).]

Pros/Cons:
Benefits to Smokers Choice:
-Level 25 guild
-They will not have to recruit (for the time being) to continue raiding

Cons to Smokers Choice:
-Their new GM is Mayleene (that’s as apposed to Loxic... though I like to think I’m not that bad... :p)
-Their guild reputation is wiped
-Loxic will have to recruit to fill the second group to ensure current Whispered and Smokers Choice raiders are content

Pros to Whispered:
-More raiders (who understand that there will be benching now or at least until we decide on more details for the second group)
-Potential better class options as Whispered is currently (Resto) Shaman and Death Knight heavy

Cons to Whispered:
-More raiders to support (increases demands for raid spots so more benching, increase in guild repairs)

Summary:
In the end, I will try to make this process go like initiating new members and not a process of “us against them”, but if the conditions outlined (mainly that the original Whispered raiders get more disadvantages than benefits) are not met, then “all bets are off” and the guild will dissimulate as outlined below.

-Loxic has responded that “should [he] fail then [I] just do what [I] feel is better (: Kicking people in order to restore order or whatever you believe is better (:”
-Believing I’m a fair person, if things don’t work out, likely will result in a few tries given to each person, to be judged as individuals, and then demotion to social rank and/or gkick.

Disclaimer:
Mayleene reserves the right to change any details of this merge. Though I will as reasonably as possible, to give a reasonable opportunity for all interested parties time/option to counter changes.

How-to Vote:
-In-game mail Mayleene if you are for or against the merge BEFORE 1/11/12 15:00. If you don't care, please mail saying you don't care. Let me know if you have other comments below or in-game mail.