How it all works in Ikichi.
The thing I get asked about the most in the guild are the rankings. "Can I be a JR?", and "Can you change my rank?", are very popular questions.
Honestly, I don't see ranks as a big deal. And I don't say that from a biased GuildMaster point-of-view. I've been told before that ranks are a 'respect' thing, and that's why it's important. Going by that logic, though, everyone would have the same ranks as I respect everyone in the guild.
Dispite my personal feelings and lack of concern about ranks, I know it's important to some of our members so we do have a ranking system. At first I had a system that based ranks on character lvls, but nobody seemed happy about that so we've changed our way of ranking.
It's quite simple how you can get yourself promoted. Ranks are based on what you do related to the guild. We base promotions on the overall of what someone does after knowing them a period of time. The friendlier and more active, helpful people, for example, would be candidates for a promotion over someone who doesn't talk much in guild chat and never helps anyone out. I can't lay out specifics for what constitutes a promotion as it is a collection of things over a period of time. I can, however, list what is likely to grant you consideration for a promotion.
The following things will up your chances as a candidate for rank promotion:
Talkativity in guild chat.
Partying with Guildmates.
Signing up for the guild forum.
Being active on the guild forum.
Helping Guildmates train or finish quests.
Being an active player (the more often, the better).
Donating items to the guild store or mesos for expansions.
Recruiting.
Friendliness.
Making suggestions about how to make the guild better.
Participating in guild videos (ideas or appearances).
Following the rules (!!!).
Helping to arrange guild activities.
Taking part in mass-defaming people that have done something to a guildmate.
Giving mesos or items to a needy guildmate.
Promoting Ikichi outside the game (on MBs, communities, BBS, etc).
Being easy to contact (in game or out).
Submitting screenshots for the site gallery.
People can also "nominate" guildmates for promotions. If there's a particular person that you think deserves a promotion, leave a post on the forum and explain why you think they should be promoted (how they helped you, how they make the guild a better place, etc). All members are free to join in the conversation and say if they think a promotion is warranted. The JRS and I will take what everyone says into consideration and then make our decision.
Deranking in the guild works on the same principals. If you're a rule breaker, rude, mean or otherwise unpleasant- you may be subject to deranking.
