Being a Part of the Group (Proper Etiquette)

[Tbone]

First of all, let me start off by saying this is truly a great group with a very very small percentage of problems. This being said, I wanted to take the time to discuss what it means to be a part of the group.

As I've stated many times, the Furious Angels is about having fun as a group and working together to accomplish significant things. Because I feel we're all equal here, I'm pretty relaxed with everything. I don't feel there has to be detailed rules or orders because we all have the same overall mindset.

At times, however, it is important to work quickly and effeciently as a group and to make split decisions. You are expected to attend group/faction events if possible because, being in FA, that should be what you like to do! As with any organized group, you can't help but give up a part of your individuality for the good of the group. It's an informal agreement that some amount of personal freedom is sacrificed for the enjoyment of participating as a group. For instance, when you join a class, you are agreeing to attend that class on a regular basis and participate. No one is making you (well, except your parents if you're in high school...heh), but it should be something you want to do - a sacrifice you are willing to make.

Here at the Furious Angels we have decided as a group that we would like to impress others by showing our uniformity and "togetherness". We do this with our white suites, our mass participation in events, and other group-oriented activities. So this gets me to the point I want to make. If you plan on coming to these group activities (a party, PvP, filming a video, etc.), expect to sacrifice a bit of your gaming freedom to get a group objective done. I don't like to throw my weight around too much...it's more about figuring out what the group prefers and the whole group doing it.

Sooo...if you are the type who says "I wanna do things my way" all the time, a faction is probably not the place for you! This really isn't a big problem, but I have noticed a few cases recently where it has been difficult to get some group things done because individuals have decided to do their own thing in the middle of an event. I encourage all of you to keep staying active in the group and work hard so we can play hard!

Also, I'm aware that I'm not always around when things are happening. If you're looking for who should be running things, check the "Captains" and "Staff" groups on this forum. Those people should be stepping up when I'm not around. Thanks guys and I think I need sleep now...heh...

[ArchNemesis]

Hmm i don't know if everyone knew about the outfit (even though they should have gotten the hint  after seeing the lot of us wearing it) but i do know alot of us were asking for it and started out with it. After the crash though,  alot of the party went missing so... but that is just how i see it.. I know i changed depending on the situation. I would change back and forth from my RP suit to the "Corporate Goth" Uniform we had planned out. Also i try to do little things that keep my individuality intact, others might want to do the same rather than just changing completely.
(As i said i do kinda fall victim to this but only for certain occasions, i would still change back after an RP session)

[Anonymous]

Here is my two cents again, some of you prolly won't like it, but I am pretty sure some of you need to hear it. Going to use an analogy so that those involved can remain nameless.

Let's say the the purpose of this example, you are interested in joining a branch of the armed forces. After doing a bit of research, you decide on certain branch of the Army (just an example), because of the way everyone works together as a team and the way they are looked up to even by their peers. Soon after joining, you begin to feel very comfortable with your fellow soldiers, but notice some tension among the higher ranks. No matter, you feel this isn't something you need to concern yourself with...you didn't sign up to be an officer.
One day, you and your fellow soldiers are taking part in a gathering of many other military branches. It is a gathering meant to be in good spirits, but for one reason or another, two groups become interlocked in heated words and tempers begin to flair up. You suggest that moving off to the side may be a good idea, so as to not give the impression of backing anyone. Those in charge, it appears, have already taken that approach and you join them. While observing the heated discussions and tryin to sort out the details, an argument breaks out among the ranking members of your group (I will not go into why they were arguing, that is not what I have a problem with). It seems that a few members of your group have decided that it is more important to argue about who is in charge, rather than observe something that is very likely going to change the relationships of many groups you call friends. Furthermore, you feel a bit disgusted that ranking members would power trip on eachother in front of everyone else (Can you imagine a 1st Sgt. and a Luitenant arguing in front of common troops? Breeds all kinds of negative feelings among slodiers, trust me). In the future, you can only hope that your superiors have a bit more restraint and at the very least, keep their disagreements in private conversations.

Moral of the story is, leadership requires more than knowing who you outrank, and what you can tell people to do. Tact, respect, and a degree of thoughtfullness should go into nearly everything action. I hope you can all see the point I am trying to make, and I hope it makes sense to you as well. If my words hurt you, well then this post was prolly written with you in mind. Do not look at it as a slam, look at it as helpful advice from someone with experience. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Well said Omegus, you can't have hot-headed people who don't know where they stand to be your leader or CO, you need level headed people who are calm and can sort out situations without raising his voice to be heard.  It's hard to find that sort of leader but it's the sort you want. And like Omegus said, it is demoralising to the less ranking people if their leaders are arguing.  I don't think some of you were here when the whole Seven thing happened but basically he was a high ranking member and I think the power went to his head, he had quite an outgoing nature on TS and that got him some followers (I was nearly one of them).  Anyway he disrespected Tbone and a load of people left the faction because they thought it was going to shit.

[Anonymous]

Looks like something happened at the Illuminati party and I missed it.

I don't know what you guys are referring to and what triggered this thread.  From what I gather, there seems to be some kind of power struggle between the "important" people in this faction.

I'm not a member of staff or a captain.  I'm just an unimportant, irrelevant and powerless pawn so I'm not too concerned with this.

As the Oracle said: "What do men with power want ?  More power".

I hope all of this gets ironed out for the good of the faction.

[Anonymous]

I'm a no one in here as well, a low level, never having anyone to team up with. I know that doesn't except me from the rules, but I can't give up my life for a faction. I have work, a family and I just started Taekwondo which takes alot of my time. I often have to get up at 6am in the morning for work, so I can't sit up at night to attend meetings.

I'm sorry, but I can't take that sort of sacrifice.

[Anonymous]

*bump*

[Anonymous]

Sooo...if you are the type who says "I wanna do things my way" all the time, a faction is probably not the place for you!

This really isn't a big problem, but I have noticed a few cases recently where it has been difficult to get some group things done because individuals have decided to do their own thing in the middle of an event. I encourage all of you to keep staying active in the group and work hard so we can play hard!

I am always willing to take part in group activities.  I definetly do know I'm not the type to say I wanna do things my way becuase well at heart I'm not that sort of person.  

My veiw on things like that are to listen to everyone else first then make a decision in stead of jumping the start line and do my own thing.  I mean the other night during the Illuminati party I excused my self from the group of us that were there, to go and help one of my friends from our crew to find some access nodes and level up a little bit.  I told everone in the faction chat and they were cool with it.  

The point I'm saying here is, if you want to do somthing a different way, why don't they just suggest it to the rest of the group? Atleast then we can all decide "together".  

Thats what being part of a faction is, or being part of a "group" To be able to communicate ideas, debate, enjoy yourself and come to a decision on the same page.

[Anonymous]

We are Zionests and fight for the freedom of humanity from the Machines.

Not that I condone any act of insuboranation, but it is to be expected because of basic human flaws. To effectively deal with a situation like this, well I think Tbone took the first step in this thread. Second a private meeting with the individual(s) should take place and lastly if all efforts fail, termination.

It is perfectly understanable that we all have our own lives, familes, work, school ect, and Tbone has made that clear. But, as I understand upon my joining to FA, we have made a commitment to this great faction and must stick to it, just like anything else in real life.

For any great thing to flourish it must have the traits of unity, loyalty (im not sure if thats exactly the same thing as unity) and sacrfice. The Furious Angels is currently to my knowledge the greatest and most envied faction on MXO.  For FA to continue this great path it has worked so hard to accomplish, it must keep these traits.

As the Oracle and Keymaker once said (rough qoute)  "The path of the one is set by all. If one fails, so do all."

We must keep this in mind for the path of the Angel and we will continue to have the success we have worked so hard for and deserve.

by the way my spelling sucks and theres no spell check and i dont feel like going into word and copying and pasting....