BotA has now adopted the following Rules and Regulations. The Rules have been adopted from another guild (a very successful and respected guild) and were choosen and adapted for us because they are fair, not only to guild members but to everyone you come in contact with while representing BotA.
All members of BotA, on all games, are expected to adhere to the following Code of Conduct.
Above all, be respectful. We work very hard to create a friendly and comfortable environment within the guild, and to keep drama to a minimum. As a member of BotA, you will be expected to uphold a principle of common courtesy and respect. We have a zero tolerance policy on personal attacks, clique politics, and backstabbing. We don't expect you to love everyone equally, but we do expect you to respect them equally. This behavior extends to everyone, not just the members of BotA. Keep in mind that whenever you interact with someone outside the community while tagged as a member of “BotA,†you are representing BotA as a whole. We expect you to be the sort of person we would be proud to have as our representative. Don't steal kills, don't ninja loot, don't be publicly rude and obnoxious. Furthermore, you will be expected to show a certain level of respect for your enemies as well as your allies. This doesn't mean you won't kill them, it just means you'll be an honorable opponent. (For example, in WoW, we frowned heavily upon /spitting on our enemies.)
Leave criticism to the officers. We all make mistakes from time to time, and there's no need to have twenty people yelling at one guy/girl for screwing up. If you do make a mistake, an officer will help you figure out what happened, and how to keep it from happening again.
Be responsible. If you say you will do something, be somewhere, or help someone, please do so. Many of our members enjoy being a part of this community to the extent that real life plans are often made in such a way as to accommodate in-game plans. Remember that if you commit to doing something, others are depending on you to do it.
Be accountable. If you screw up, accept responsibility for it. Everyone makes mistakes; what's important is that you learn from them. You have to be willing to be held accountable for your own actions before you can learn from them.
Work to improve. No one expects you to be perfect right out of the box. What we do expect is that you be able to recognize and accept your weaknesses, and work to improve them. We expect you to do your best, and will be happy to help your best get better. There's no shame in asking for help. When you take the initiative to improve on your weakness, you're not only helping yourself, you're helping the whole community.
Don't spout off about how 1337 you are. No one wants to listen to you constantly going on about your phat lootz, your awesome crits, or the size of your e-peen. If an officer wants to know about your dps, skills, goals, etc, they'll ask. If you really want to impress us, remember that actions speak louder than words. If you really are all that and a bag of chips, we'll notice. We have a no tolerance policy on inflated egos, and will be happy to deflate any we run across. It's ok to be competitive, but remember that within the community, we're all on the same team.
Keep your head in the game. Games are, by nature, competitive, and whether we're competing in a PvE or PvP setting, winning is always more fun than losing. Large-scale PvE encounters, difficult instances, and fighting against the opposing faction all require a certain level of concentration, intensity, and determination in order to win. If you're busy flirting with the cute new recruit, doing your calculus homework, or just generally screwing around, chances are you're not paying enough attention to whatever it is you're supposed to be doing in-game. This doesn't mean you can't have fun and joke around, especially when things are going well. It simply means you need to be able to recognize that there is a time for joking around and there is a time for buckling down and getting things done.
Be active and get involved. Presumably you are here because you want to be a part of this community; do so. Take initiative, get things going. Don't be dead weight. This guild runs on the energy and momentum of the people within it. You are expected to make your own contribution to the guild, whatever that means to you; it can be something as simple as welcoming new recruits and helping them feel at home or something as complex as taking on an officership position and helping to keep things running smoothly. In a more tangible sense, being active also means that you are expected to be an active member of the community in-game. If you do not log in for more than 10 days without explanation, you will be removed from the guild for inactivity. If you are going on vacation, are hard on money and can't afford the game subscription for a time, have a family emergency, are on active military duty and being deployed, or whatever, please let us know so that we can make note of it. Nobody's perfect, so if we screw up and you get removed by mistake, just whisper an officer in-game and we'll be happy to re-invite you.
Bring up your issues in private with officers. One of the many reasons we have officers is to deal with the various issues that are bound to arise. Don't start drama in the forums, guild chat or take your issues up with other guild/forum members, and please don't simmer in silence until the frustration boils over. Speak with an officer with whom you feel comfortable, and they'll work to mediate and resolve the problem. If you do have an issue you need to discuss with someone, please choose an appropriate time to do so. (Hint: In the middle of a large-scale event, boss fight, etc., is not an appropriate time.)
A note from the guild master: No matter what, there will come a time when I as GM will tick you off, hurt your feelings, or screw up and push you too hard. When we are not in the middle of something, send me a tell, or a PM on the forums, and we will discuss it. You will find that my most valued members in this community are the ones that aren't afraid to tell me what they think, but do so respectfully and at the right time.
Be a person, not just a name. If you truly want to be a member of this community, go all the way. Share your fun and your sense of humor, and be prepared to laugh your [filtered] off. Share your stories, and create new ones together. We've celebrated births and weddings together, mourned deaths, and created friendships that go far beyond the scope of a single game. More than anything else, this is what BotA is all about. The bonds we form amongst each other are the heart and soul of this community.
Read the forums! These forums are our lifeblood. They hold us together, across all the different games we play. They are what make us a community, above and beyond just a clan or guild. Beyond that, it is absolutely crucial that you be actively monitoring the forums in order to be truly active within the guild. You'll use them to find strategies, sign up for raids and other activities, get help from guild-mates, and much more. They are updated often, and things happen fast, so try to browse them at least once a day, and participate as well.
If a guild tabard or some other identifying piece of equipment is available in-game, you will be expected to wear it.
If you apply to another guild while in BotA, you will be removed immediately and without question. Period. You should be here because you want to be, not because you're looking for a place to hang out until a better opportunity comes along.
Failure to comply with the terms set out in the Code of Conduct will have negative results. Be aware that you may be demoted within the guild, banned from guild events, or removed from the guild. All disciplinary actions are done at the discretion of the officers and guild leader.
All members of BotA, on all games, are expected to adhere to the following Code of Conduct.
Above all, be respectful. We work very hard to create a friendly and comfortable environment within the guild, and to keep drama to a minimum. As a member of BotA, you will be expected to uphold a principle of common courtesy and respect. We have a zero tolerance policy on personal attacks, clique politics, and backstabbing. We don't expect you to love everyone equally, but we do expect you to respect them equally. This behavior extends to everyone, not just the members of BotA. Keep in mind that whenever you interact with someone outside the community while tagged as a member of “BotA,†you are representing BotA as a whole. We expect you to be the sort of person we would be proud to have as our representative. Don't steal kills, don't ninja loot, don't be publicly rude and obnoxious. Furthermore, you will be expected to show a certain level of respect for your enemies as well as your allies. This doesn't mean you won't kill them, it just means you'll be an honorable opponent. (For example, in WoW, we frowned heavily upon /spitting on our enemies.)
Leave criticism to the officers. We all make mistakes from time to time, and there's no need to have twenty people yelling at one guy/girl for screwing up. If you do make a mistake, an officer will help you figure out what happened, and how to keep it from happening again.
Be responsible. If you say you will do something, be somewhere, or help someone, please do so. Many of our members enjoy being a part of this community to the extent that real life plans are often made in such a way as to accommodate in-game plans. Remember that if you commit to doing something, others are depending on you to do it.
Be accountable. If you screw up, accept responsibility for it. Everyone makes mistakes; what's important is that you learn from them. You have to be willing to be held accountable for your own actions before you can learn from them.
Work to improve. No one expects you to be perfect right out of the box. What we do expect is that you be able to recognize and accept your weaknesses, and work to improve them. We expect you to do your best, and will be happy to help your best get better. There's no shame in asking for help. When you take the initiative to improve on your weakness, you're not only helping yourself, you're helping the whole community.
Don't spout off about how 1337 you are. No one wants to listen to you constantly going on about your phat lootz, your awesome crits, or the size of your e-peen. If an officer wants to know about your dps, skills, goals, etc, they'll ask. If you really want to impress us, remember that actions speak louder than words. If you really are all that and a bag of chips, we'll notice. We have a no tolerance policy on inflated egos, and will be happy to deflate any we run across. It's ok to be competitive, but remember that within the community, we're all on the same team.
Keep your head in the game. Games are, by nature, competitive, and whether we're competing in a PvE or PvP setting, winning is always more fun than losing. Large-scale PvE encounters, difficult instances, and fighting against the opposing faction all require a certain level of concentration, intensity, and determination in order to win. If you're busy flirting with the cute new recruit, doing your calculus homework, or just generally screwing around, chances are you're not paying enough attention to whatever it is you're supposed to be doing in-game. This doesn't mean you can't have fun and joke around, especially when things are going well. It simply means you need to be able to recognize that there is a time for joking around and there is a time for buckling down and getting things done.
Be active and get involved. Presumably you are here because you want to be a part of this community; do so. Take initiative, get things going. Don't be dead weight. This guild runs on the energy and momentum of the people within it. You are expected to make your own contribution to the guild, whatever that means to you; it can be something as simple as welcoming new recruits and helping them feel at home or something as complex as taking on an officership position and helping to keep things running smoothly. In a more tangible sense, being active also means that you are expected to be an active member of the community in-game. If you do not log in for more than 10 days without explanation, you will be removed from the guild for inactivity. If you are going on vacation, are hard on money and can't afford the game subscription for a time, have a family emergency, are on active military duty and being deployed, or whatever, please let us know so that we can make note of it. Nobody's perfect, so if we screw up and you get removed by mistake, just whisper an officer in-game and we'll be happy to re-invite you.
Bring up your issues in private with officers. One of the many reasons we have officers is to deal with the various issues that are bound to arise. Don't start drama in the forums, guild chat or take your issues up with other guild/forum members, and please don't simmer in silence until the frustration boils over. Speak with an officer with whom you feel comfortable, and they'll work to mediate and resolve the problem. If you do have an issue you need to discuss with someone, please choose an appropriate time to do so. (Hint: In the middle of a large-scale event, boss fight, etc., is not an appropriate time.)
A note from the guild master: No matter what, there will come a time when I as GM will tick you off, hurt your feelings, or screw up and push you too hard. When we are not in the middle of something, send me a tell, or a PM on the forums, and we will discuss it. You will find that my most valued members in this community are the ones that aren't afraid to tell me what they think, but do so respectfully and at the right time.
Be a person, not just a name. If you truly want to be a member of this community, go all the way. Share your fun and your sense of humor, and be prepared to laugh your [filtered] off. Share your stories, and create new ones together. We've celebrated births and weddings together, mourned deaths, and created friendships that go far beyond the scope of a single game. More than anything else, this is what BotA is all about. The bonds we form amongst each other are the heart and soul of this community.
Read the forums! These forums are our lifeblood. They hold us together, across all the different games we play. They are what make us a community, above and beyond just a clan or guild. Beyond that, it is absolutely crucial that you be actively monitoring the forums in order to be truly active within the guild. You'll use them to find strategies, sign up for raids and other activities, get help from guild-mates, and much more. They are updated often, and things happen fast, so try to browse them at least once a day, and participate as well.
If a guild tabard or some other identifying piece of equipment is available in-game, you will be expected to wear it.
If you apply to another guild while in BotA, you will be removed immediately and without question. Period. You should be here because you want to be, not because you're looking for a place to hang out until a better opportunity comes along.
Failure to comply with the terms set out in the Code of Conduct will have negative results. Be aware that you may be demoted within the guild, banned from guild events, or removed from the guild. All disciplinary actions are done at the discretion of the officers and guild leader.