The day I learned I wasn't meant to lead.

[Morzy]

I know how ya feel. I recruit for my FC and it pains me to see people I've come to know, help and love simply leave the FC without a word or goodbye. :l

[Ilitsa]

I can relate, I put a lot of work into my FC too, and would be devastated if it failed. I don't think that makes us bad leaders though. I get really sad when I see people leave my FC as well, the trick is to give yourself time to work through that sadness and then get back on the horse and find more people to join your ranks. It's been my experience that people will be more loyal towards a leader that treats their people properly and with dignity, rather than a slave driver. Keep your chin up, you'll smile again, and if you so wish it, your FC will flourish.

[Xatsh]

I do not see how a leader cannot feel anything when a member leaves. Not counting deadweight members but core or longterm members.

IF the leader feels nothing it means they do not care about the guild itself. Or they only care about the core group of player he/she plays with. Both makes the leader bad.

[Eggnook24]

Better to pass on the mantle of leadership and become an officer of the FC.

[CrystalObsidian]

I feel the same way when someone leaves my LS. Even if they/we didn't talk much I still always wondered what I could've done better to keep them around.
If I were a leader of an FC, those emotions would surely double!
Here's an idea for you:
Make an LS for your FC people. (most FC's I know actually have one or two LS's). Keep the LS around and active for your buddies. So even if they leave the FC you can still chat and socialize etc.

[Joche7566]

I know the feels OP. Everytime I see the message in my FC chat, a pang of pain and guilt is undeniable. "What could I have done differently?" Fact is there's probably nothing you could have done. The way the game is made at the moment does not promote camaraderie in the way XI and a lot of MMOs do. There's simply little to no reason to befriend anyone in this game, and FCs have little purpose other than being a social hub, a side distraction on decorating, and gardening. It is not your fault! And don't give up. This doesn't mean you're not meant to lead. If anything it means you care about your FC and you should lead.

[Yarikh]

...I can relate. I may just be a regular officer but sometimes it's some of the people you've gotten to know, people you've partied with and joked about random things with and see and greet you when you're online..

You sometimes get attached to some of them. And I really wish I didn't feel anything when they leave... But we're only human.

It's ok, OP. Time heals things. And there's always a tomorrow. It's never over until you say it's over. And I'm glad to see you haven't given up. I haven't given up either. We just need a little reminder every now and then what it is we stand for, it is what kept me going.

[DubstepNinja]

snip

Sadly yes that is that way it is, however I was trying to say the the OP is on the right track. People are not a commodity, they are an investment and even though it sucks when people leave the fact that hes cares speaks volumes about himself and the type of leader he will turn out to be.

[MageBlack]

I ended up having a poor experience with a FC. We were friends before although separated by distance (8 hours difference). I suggested getting a FC for 2.0, I helped build an enjin site, I helped advertize for members, I helped build the Youtube channel, hosted podcasts, and in the end the "leader" of the FC put certain stipulations on the FC, restricted access to the FC house and its components (stables, rooms) and ranks in the FC that I just did not agree with. I suggested several alternative methods to try and get the same results he wanted but was flat out refused. following his rules that were in place I did not even qualify for the second rank in the FC, no access to the FC house or anything therein, and could not meet his tithing requirements properly due to confusion between timezones and not being allowed to pay "up front", it had to be exactly the way he wanted it "so it was easier to keep track of."

It was a frustrating situation all around. He transferred to another server (I had an alt there) and they convinced me to transfer my main chr there. That was before everything came to a head. Now I've transferred back to at least an NA server/data center at the cost of $80 (cause I transferred my son too cause we enjoy playing together.) to go there and back again. There are a lot more details to the situation but that is the TL;DR of it.

OP: You are not alone in your frustration. The FC that I am going to start to build will be one that is totally open to anyone and is set to be a launching pad for new players nad newcomers to the Genre who need a little help getting started. Everything will be open to all members and the only thing that will be restricted is the Gil in the FC chest, it will be deposit only for people to provide donations to a FC house and the like. I also want to start a LS for supporters of the idea so members have other ways to call out for assistance. People can come and go as they please, I would only ask that the FC remain a positive enviroment for new people.

Sorry for the long winded reply.

[Kimikryo]

Do you really want to build a new FC on Balmung? Getting Membgers is hard.
Too from Balmung, and I have this Problem *snarls*