Guildmaster’s Corner: Vacation

by JR Cook - 10 years ago     show comments

By the time you read this, I’ll be away in Mexico drinking beers and mojitos. The guild leader is on vacation!

When’s the last time you took one? It doesn’t have to be out of town or anything. Even a stay-cation will do the trick. I’m referring to time off away from the game. There are officers and other players who can handle things while you’re gone.

Naturally, every GM’s greatest fear is to come back to a destroyed guild with all the gold gone and the organization in ruins. I do have separation anxiety issues myself. You chose your officers for a reason. Let them handle their responsibilities. Take a well deserved break from the game. This is a good a time as any since there’s quite the lull in between Siege of Orgrimmar and Warlords of Draenor.

Preparations

Let your officers know when you plan to take a break and start making the necessary preparations. If there’s any specific things that you handle, you better train up someone else so that they can do it. This includes aspects of the raid such as attendance, looting, and web issues.

Pick one person to call any and all shots while you’re away. They’re going to have your powers. Make sure it’s someone everyone will listen to. No sense choosing an individual who’s going to get ignore. You’ll want someone with a fairly commanding presence that everyone more or less respects with a good head on their shoulders. You can give them your number in the event of an emergency of sorts (such as the guild imploding), but I’d just bail out.

If there’s anything you want your raid group to work on, make a mention of it.

As a personal touch, I like to encourage my raid to treat my temporary stand-in the exact way they treat me.

I wouldn’t suggest taking too long of a break though. I’ve seen cases where GMs went on vacation and never came back.

And most importantly, enjoy yourself! Look after your own mental self first. The worst thing your guild needs is a guild leader who burns out and hates everyone and everything. Don’t end up like me!