I have without a doubt been more strict in the past and the difference was minimal. I really have thought about going back to a more strict policy environment but then that means me sticking my nose in everyone's business, micro-managing my officers and the times I "have" done so, it's been costly to CAG. So it's damned if I am or damned if I'm not.
I told Gypsy the other night along with Country and Silent that I am going to sit back these next couple of months and just allow you guys to self-govern yourselves because I really want you guys to feel that this is "YOUR" clan, your Family. You guys are all adults, mature adults who have lives outside of the gaming world and I would love to think that you guys are all capable of making decisions that will not hurt CAG's integrity, reputation and each other.
Yes, we have a ranking structure in CAG, we also have a Chain of Command and yes things such as promotions might not always happen like people would like them to, but this is just a game and none of us should allow gaming to make us feel overlooked or make us feel like shit.
I used to play, game more on the competitive side but over the years I slowly lost interest in the competitive aspect of gaming and gained more interest in providing a more simulated style to mirror the real military which I saw that older gamers wanted and were more interested in being a part of. I rather be surrounded by mature adult gamers that understand how to self-govern themselves because there is less stress when gaming and everyone accepts a role as a clan member and therefor the clan continues to run smoothly.
Mature gamers means, or it should mean that the clan's overall sportsmanship and discipline as well as integrity should be higher than most other clans.
With every month that passes by, every year, I learn something new as leader of this clan. To have this website, this clan and to have everyone of you guys follow me as a leader, it really means more than you guys can even imagine to me. I want to have in place the best people to co-lead with me to continue being the best clan out there and I need for everyone to believe, to trust us when making decisions especially when it comes to the promotions.
If everyone is patient, understanding and trusts each other, CAG will turn into a more powerful Family of gamers that will eventually be the envy of all clans. We are already garnishing interest left and right as seen by the number of votes we get on top100 and while many like to say that top100 doesn't mean anything it obviously does when so many people bother to vote for us and even more so the people who go on our top100 wall and post crap left and right.
A topic such as this one stems out to other smaller subjects and discussions which all bring up valid concerns from everyone. I have open and uncensored forums here because I never want people, our members or gaming Family to feel like they are being bossed around or not allowed to voice their opinions. I can almost guarantee that we are the only clan around that has such an open door policy in place and I want everyone to feel comfortable and trusts us enough to come to us with any problems and issues as well as ideas and suggestions to make CAG a better clan.
I am actually really glad that Celtic had the balls to start this thread because this thread is allowing me to personally address this issue and the concerns that many of you are voicing as a result of this thread and Celtic's possible self removal from CAG.
This open door policy is meant to raise everyone's morale just like it is meant in the real world. I was part of HR when I worked for a company and I learned a lot from it which has allowed me to gain the trust of enough people and helped me build this clan from the ground up. But this will only work if everyone voices their opinions without fear of being laughed at, told to screw off or even criticized.
If I am doing something wrong or your co-leaders are doing something wrong, please speak up, we are all learning and we will continue to learn with every single situation that arises from every single one of you speaking up.
Is our promotion process perfect?, no, but it's not bad either. It has helped CAG stay consistent and still going after 5 years since I started this website. I somehow managed to start this from scratch, to drive in traffic, members, spread the word around both on xbox and playstation, took me a lot of hard work as well as many disappointing times along the way.
Together with Toxic and Eagle, both of them have been here with me since 2009, Toxic longer, but Eagle helped me so much when we both played on the Playstation where I first met him and now he is CAG's 3rd in Command and a huge reason for CAG's success.
I want to be able to say that about everyone of you guys, I want every single one of CAG's members to put their stamp on CAG's History and Success. Many have come and gone, some that are no longer with us made a huge impact and without them CAG would not exists, yet even after all the good they have done, they decided to leave CAG because for some odd reason they did not feel appreciated for one reason or another.
I could go on forever about this you guys but why should I really? We are adults here, all of us are adults and we need to work together as a Family. We need to trust each other and stand behind the decisions we all make as long as they are in the best interest of our Family which is CAG.
You guys can continue to jump from clan to clan, spend time developing great friendships and then get pussy hurt and leave because you guys think you are not appreciated or you guys can remain patient, disciplined and wait for the right time for things to happen for you in CAG. It is your choice and all I can do is continue to reassure my Family here in CAG that I will continue to lead you guys as best as I can with the help of each and everyone of you guys.
It is 3:48 am pacific time and I am up replying and posting this to reassure you guys that things are fine and will continue to be fine and also to show you guys that really care about every single one of you guys and I appreciate what you guys do for this clan. I also want every new member, recruit and guest to see that "I" take my time and pay attention to everything that happens in this clan. What other leader stays up this late to make sure that his clan's members feel appreciated and wanted? Now I hope this doesn't look as arrogance on my part, but my love and appreciation for this clan and all of you guys is very genuine.
Thank you all who have taken the time to read this long ass post, I appreciate it very much and I hope you guys see and understand how much I really care about you all.
Originally Posted by CAG CheechDogg
