A Formal Application

[ColeMrtz 571]

     Assuming the BoG hasn’t already decided this as well, the firing and subsequent hiring of ex-Davos GM @ShawnGlade and the pre-determined hiree leaves a hole in the VHLM GM market. As the application thread hasn’t officially been posted and I (somewhat justifiably) feel I need to fight for a chance at the spot, I’d like to submit this article as my application.

     I don’t have the best history in the sim-league realm, with the VHL being my only league and my previous run ending in a blaze of inactivity, but the past is just that, the past. Over these recent few seasons I’ve found what works and what doesn’t for me, and I’ve had much more success here from both an involvement standpoint and my player in general. Even in the GMing realm I’ve found some success, working under @Esso2264 in New York and learning the ropes of STHS and general team management. 
     A crucial part of VHLM GMing is engagement, and with every team I’ve been a part of so far I’ve been a positive lockeroom influence, as well as a constant one. With the Hounds I am still one of the most active members of their lockeroom, helping new members find their way and keeping up with older ones. In New York I try to engage with the players when I see a good opportunity and I provide them with TPE opportunities as well. Even with the seeming desolate lockeroom Davos had I would engage with the members that opted to speak up, and tried to spark up some conversation early on. The engagement side of things has never been a problem for me.

     Now this is sort of jumping back up to the beginning, but my past inactivity combined with my recent welfare stint likely raises concern for many. I can assure you that it was just a means of balancing everything, my engagement didn’t suffer tremendously and although it hurt my player a little bit, it didn’t affect the community I was a part of, and that’s the key to good VHLM GMing, providing and up keeping that community. The VHLM is just as much about teaching as it is retention, giving those players a home for as long as they’re willing to have it, and I feel I can give that community.

     As with every application you have to talk about the boring stuff as well, like prioritizing active players over those who have gone inactive and trying to make good trades if a player wants out of the org. If you aren’t having a strong year sell and work for next year, etc. etc. But in my eyes that stuff still falls under the basic teaching/retention stuff. Why would you stunt the player bursting with potential to sit an inactive guy above him and maybe get a better record. At this stage in the game players grow so fast anyways that your young guys will be top line players really quick, so there’s almost no point in taking their time away.

     I could go on but at this point I think it makes more sense to ask you what you want to know. I’d be happy to answer any and all questions anyone has, BoG, Comish or other. I just want a shot at GMing and with the possible upcoming opening I feel I need to put my best foot forward. Thank you for your time and teep.

 

574 words 

[Peace 1,518]

29 minutes ago, ColeMrtz said:

 As with every application you have to talk about the boring stuff as well, like prioritizing active players over those who have gone inactive and trying to make good trades if a player wants out of the org. If you aren’t having a strong year sell and work for next year, etc. etc. But in my eyes that stuff still falls under the basic teaching/retention stuff. Why would you stunt the player bursting with potential to sit an inactive guy above him and maybe get a better record. At this stage in the game players grow so fast anyways that your young guys will be top line players really quick, so there’s almost no point in taking their time away.

It's important to note here that's as much as it's about retention, this specific segment (playing active players over inactive players) is actually governed by a rule for VHLM GMs. There are exceptions to the rule periodically made, but generally the whole 'inactive over active' thing is strictly enforced, and GMs have been warned and even released (*cough*) for breaking this rule. The job of a VHLM GM is to grow the community - not in the sense of adding players to the league - but developing new players into members here on VHL.

 

Edited January 20, 2020 by Peace

[ColeMrtz 571]

8 minutes ago, Peace said:

It's important to note here that's as much as it's about retention, this specific segment (playing active players over inactive players) is actually governed by a rule for VHLM GMs. There are exceptions to the rule periodically made, but generally the whole 'inactive over active' thing is strictly enforced, and GMs have been warned and even released (*cough*) for breaking this rule. The job of a VHLM GM is to grow the community - not in the sense of adding players to the league - but developing new players into members here on VHL.

 

I didn’t know it was an official rule, more of an unspoken code of conduct. Fortunately it works out either way.

[Gustav 6,150]

People underestimate how much of running a VHLM team is just...happening to exist when questions are asked. Go into detail with your explanations, don't just give a basic, super technical how-to for things. Explain everything at the most simple level possible, but also at the most detailed level possible (if that makes any sense). In other words, say every single little thing that could be helpful, but in a way that a first-time member would understand.

 

That's really about it. BE ACTIVE and your players will appreciate you. I've got people who love me from S67, and we sucked in S67. It's easier than you think to be a likable GM, and I think whenever you end up in the role you'll be good at it, so long as you keep up the activity.

[Berocka 2,210]

6 minutes ago, GustavMattias said:

I've got people who love me from S67, and we sucked in S67

I like how you used S67 there, you knew you couldn't say S66.