It's a simple question: what does it take to be a good leader?

However, I think the results will be rather interesting. Be sure to list at least 5 things. Shouldn't be too tough to figure out 5 important things if you're a good leader.

One thing I have seen is to make certain topics much easier to reach. It's not a good sign when an officer doesn't know about a help thread that took a month to compile (unless I misread his post).

As for how to do it, good luck. I have yet to find the perfect union organization system, especially without unions V2.

I don't know about GS deleting old ones (although that might be called for).

What does need to happen is that the process for the leader to delete a union to be much easier. I didn't want to have made just another dead union, so I went through the process of deleting every member but myself for one of my unions. It took a rather long time, and we were a small union! Can you imagine trying to do that if you had 5000+ members? I had troubles with 200 (or whatever it was).

This is an actual strategy that I used before. Just about every union (if not EVERY union) has sleeper members, those who are in the union but never post.

I have litterally gone through the lists of people in my unions and deleted any who were not contributing.

Now think for a bit... it sounds mean, but a lot of us do this rather often, just in another way. How many have done a friends list cleanout? Probably a good portion of us (i'd reckon over half).

You may correctly point out that there is a reason for that: to be able to better see your real friends' blogs.

However, isn't there just as much of a reason to delete sleeper members? Sometimes union telegrams are not enough. Oftentimes they aren't (except for a few exceptions). However, being deleted does generally get noticed. The reaction is normally one of two: either "screw you", or "hey... what was that union again?". Admittedly, most probably go for the first reaction, and you'll lose them. But did you really lose them? They weren't contributing anyways. And, a few do come back as active members.

To me it's worth it. How about you?

As just about everyone else said, it's the active members that matter.

In fact, I was known for deleting sleepers... hm... new topic...

Baldor: Needs what? The help thread? Or this post (see below)?

Forgotten: I figured not many would see it. I wouldn't even know it if I didn't know what I was looking for. Twas a main reason for writing this topic. One was to ask the question of accuracy. Other reason was to point out that it exists.

Hello all... again ;).

I used to lead 5 unions, officer in 8 (including here)... but now I'm rarely on any union.

Still, I qualify, being the leader of Synergistic Studios (aka The Game Development Union).

Anyways, I see my role here as a guide. If you have questions about how to lead a union successfully, feel free to send me a PM. A few of my unions have died. However, some that I started up are going very strong even a year after their start. From the mistakes and successes, I have learned a bit about unions. So, if you have questions or want a detailed review of your union and how you could personally change it, send me a PM. I do make customized plans.

Please don't expect too much out of me beyond the occassional help. I only have one union I lead, and that union is not even based here anymore.

If you have any questions, just let me know.

Have a good day, and good luck with your unions :).