You! With the Star!

Being an Island Guide is not always about the 'coolness', that a lot of people seem to associate it with.

Of course, having a Gold Star in your nametag stands you out from the crowd and makes you sometimes 'the center of attention'. However.... it also attracts the same kind of people that find it necessary to taunt Police Officers, as well as people that cannot contain their jealousy and go out of their way to make you look like an 'Ego-tripper' in front of others. It sometimes comes to the point where they make it impossible for you to do your *voluntary* job, because they constantly interfere in the answers you are trying to give to genuine new members seeking your assistance.

Another thing you truly need to consider before even thinking about joining the Island Guides: Having the Star on your tag, or even being on duty at a Spawn-point makes you a prime target for IM's. Keep in mind, that as an Island Guide, you *are* in fact a walking information booth and people cannot know if and when you are on duty or not.

It is 'bad form' to tell a new member to 'buzz off' when you are not on duty, because that is A. uncivil and B. it does not reflect well on yourself and your fellow Guides.

Even though it is a *voluntary* job you are doing, you are honour-bound to perform your duties to the best of your abilities. If you cannot, you are simply not fit to be an Island Guide, no matter how bad you would want to 'look cool' with a Golden Star.

The Gold Star also helps in a positive way though. People are more inclined to *listen* to what you are saying, being it giving directions or warnings in a Funzone during events, or when you are giving information. You should, however, suppress the feeling of wanting to abuse those 'powers'. Some members can mistake you for actual Staff and that is a direct violation of the TOS. Be VERY clear on the fact you are *not* a There™ Staff member.

I have been summoned in a few times to settle disputes between members (as if the Gold Star indicates 'Sheriffs Departement' :P). Guard against posing as a staff-member in any way or form. Actually, the first thing I explain is that I have *no* moderation rights of any kind, but that I would be happy to mediate in the dispute, if both parties would accept my presence as a *mediator*, rather than an 'enforcer'. So far, that has worked pretty well, but it is *not* part of the job as an Island Guide.

Sometimes it is a rocky and tricky path we walk and being an Island Guide may not be suited for everybody. 'Helping New Members' is only *part* of the job (although a big part).

As an Island Guide, you are the 'business card' for There™, as it were. For a lot of new members (if we do our job right), WE are the first avatar they see and interact with. YOU can make the difference between people wanting to come back, or running off horrified.

It is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly, even if the job doesn't pay.