R.I.D BASE OF OPERATIONS

Sorry it took me so long to post this. I've been meaning to ask everyone here if Taiwo should be let back into RID. After reading the chat logs, I'm not sure if Taiwo conducted himself in a manner appropriate for RID, but then again, it is easy to misinterperate jokes as arguments.

I'll let everyone speak for themselves as I post the chat logs below. The vote will last 24 hours.

I think it was all a misunderstanding. I think Red was joking and it didn't convey too well in a text form... On the other side, yes Taiwo really overreacted, but he did so in response to Red basically saying that since Taiwo isn't CL90, his opinion doesn't matter...

If you're gonna punish Taiwo, then punish Red for the same thing. IMO, both peeps said things that just shouldn't be said in guild chat. You don't tell people their opinion doesn't matter (even if you are joking cause somtimes that stuff just doesn't convey in text form) and you don't tell people to shove off either.

I voted YES to reinstate Taiwo in the guild. Aside from this incident when he was just poked and prodded, he's been a pretty good guy when I've been around.

Taiwo's problem is that he takes everything extremely seriously. I am a little slow to fault redaxxe after I saw Taiwo defending Xoseh when we were just joking about him getting stuck in the Ryatt trail. It was obviously a joke and Taiwo was threatening to get RID officers involved to break it up.

I say he can come back if he is willing to undergo a conference with Lexx and some of the officers. The points that led to his removal need to be discussed with him and if it does not seem he will able to rectify those points, I say he should not be let back in.

He WAS being poked and prodded. Red DOES need to moderate his "playing around" understand the difference between play-arguing with friends who know the game and doing it to a complete stranger.

I'd like to point out, at the time Redaxxe was sending me a tell that he didn't want to talk about the Moonlighters anymore, I was telling him with a reminder of how the story the Moonlighters were putting out that Red was "griefing" other guild members and things like that COME from his talking to people like that in his little mock-arguments. I get complaints from other members about Red's horsing around in guild chat or groups quite a bit, but beyond the private talk I had with him asking him to tone it down in the future, and perhaps gentle reminders when I see him doing it again, I can't think of any way to "discipline" him for his habit.

I think it was a mistake to remove Taiwo so quickly without asking for screenshots or at least talking to other officers who were present and Taiwo and Red. HOWEVER

1-Taiwo DOES have an anger control issue, and most likely will have these outbursts again.
2- We as leaders made a mistake not working together and were hasty in our decision, which shows weak and divided leadership to the guild. BUT, if we keep going back on our decisions (remove/guild/remove) type stuff, we make ourselves look worse. I'd RATHER support Erougn's action in going to Lexx, and Lexx's removing Taiwo, even if I thought it was a mistake, and show our guild some solidarity and strong leadership.
3- I think too much time has passed already to act on our mistake
4- I think now there will be animosity between Erougn and Taiwo anyway, because of the way Erougn engaged in arguments with him in guild chat too and then tried to remove Taiwo so very publicly. This tension will be like a powder keg just waiting for one or both of them to be in a bad mood to light off again.
5- Taiwo's removal so hastily may have been a mistake, BUT as leaders we sent the RIGHT MESSAGE to the other guild members. No more personal arguments in guild chat.
6- I really think we need to be hard-assed about drama and immaturity in RID. When I told people I was thinking of joining RID, the first thing I always got warned about is "they're all right but really immature and rude sometimes." I WANT to change that reputation. It's cold and ruthless, but better in the long run to cut out the parts that are "infected" with the drama and immaturity.
7- I feel there will be animosity from Taiwo toward Red. Sure, I think Red stepped over the line, but Taiwo honestly feels that he didn't do anything wrong despite how dramatically he over-reacted, that lack of personal responsibility in the incident bothers me a lot. After talking with both of them in tells, Red knows he crossed a line and wants to improve himself. Taiwo thinks he's a victim and had little/no fault.
8- I'm concerned about pulling in any MORE people who have problems with Red's personality style. So far, we're down to tolerant amusement from our older players who HAVE kids and know what to expect from Red, and then Aiddyn's animosity coming from a very young adult with little compassion or understanding for Red's age and character. We've pretty much already cleaned out any other players with problems with Red's style, I'd rather not bring Taiwo back and give Aiddyn someone to feed that fire.

I agree this has been handled too slow, but beating a dead horse won't do any good now.

The one thing this all makes apparent is the age gap in the guild. I'm not saying we need an age requirement, far from it. I think sometimes people forget this and just need a reminder. When you poke and prod a teenager who has the mentality that he is always right, what do you expect? (pet-me being a prime example with the "I get picked on in school and get picked on in SWG and I'm tired of it)

Still, I've said this before and I'll say it again: IT'S A FRIGGIN' GAME STUPID! There seem to be a lot of emotions running high for no damn good reason. I mean, people are getting into pissing arguments over a game...

Here's my revised take on Taiwo: Reguild him with explicit instructions to take one major chill-pill (possibly make him issue a guild-wide appology for his statements). What he got was his one and only warning. Anything else and the first officer in RID to catch word of it should be quick with the guild-remove button, especially if they get to watch it all unfold. (similar conditions for Red to go easy on peeps in guild chat, joke/no joke, should be issued)

Going forward from this, I say anyone acting up in guild chat get's a warning from an officer (which gets screen captured) and if they continue, they get removed from the guild. Reinstatement can be debated by officers at a later date should the situation warrant further discussion.

Has Taiwo even asked to be reguilded? I'm just curious if he even wants back in or not.

Taiwo hasn't responded to my mail, but according to Barney, he spoke to her and Taiwo said he'd be willing to give RID a second chance if RID gave him a second chance.

On caution, I see nothing wrong with letting him re-enter our ranks.

I think he should only be allowed back in after another interview with Lexx and one or more officers.

Sorry if I'm a little late on this one, didnt know we had an Officer section.