The introduction module works in the following way:
Information via Discord. You will be provided with basic information (this document) about FU, Discord , Teamspeak and the game in which you have joined FU.
Membership in FU. Once you have discussed with an officer you will have the option to accept FU membership. FU membership is given on your initiative and willingness to identify with the goals and values of the community.
We believe that gaming should not only be fun but long term meaningful. A place where you can develop with the support and resources of an experienced community. The Freelancers Union was founded in 2006. We have been active in Planetside 2 since the launch in 2012. We also have an active Arma 3 section with weekly missions.
Our primary focus besides gaming is to develop leadership as we consider this to be a transferable skill to all aspects of life. A healthy leadership, a healthy community and excellent gaming!
https://discord.com/invite/axzCaZq
We use Discord for text based communication primarily but also for voice and video occasionally. On Discord you will find our event schedule and can be in direct contact with our officers/content creators. Feel free to ask them any questions related to the community or the games we play.
Why use Teamspeak and not Discord for voice communication?
FU is an old community that has used TS since its start in 2006. Over the years we have been acknowledged by Teamspeak with a sponsorship license for our efforts in developing an environment for learning and practicing leadership. Our Arma 3 section requires teamspeak for its operations. Teamspeak offers us more options in how to set up communication.
We don't mind players using Discord for voice communication but mainly we stick with TS for now.
By Community structure we refer to our Discord and how players can progress in their involvement in FU. We roughly divide the structure into two categories: Those who participate (public player-veteran) and those who create content (officers). Games may have a separate structure that is more or less tied to the community structure.
There are also specialist groups anyone can join that promote alternative playstyles (FUGG, Huntsmen, FUAD). These are game specific and not considered part of the main community structure.
The main roles you will find across Games, Teamspeak and Discord are as follows:
Anyone who joins the FU discord is by default listed as a Public player.
Public players can participate in almost everything the community does.
Players from other communities or players who do not wish to associate as a FU member will be given Guest status.
Players who complete the introduction module and wish to accept FU membership will be listed as Members.
Members get access to the members channel category and Member only events.
Members who have distinguished themselves as outstanding members of the FU Community over a long career, exemplifying loyalty and inspiring the FU Ethos in others.
Members can be nominated for the Veteran rank by Officers or other Members but are typically hand picked by the Divisional Officers as a symbol of recognition.
Officers that retire after actively serving the community for a minimum of one year will be granted the Veteran status by default.
Officers are members of FU that want to produce content for the community.
Content for the community means primarily hosting events but it also includes a variety of tasks such as graphical designs, bot programming and developing new concepts for gameplay.
Officers discuss relevant topics and vote on decisions.
Officers are expected to contribute based on their personal motivation and ability. Sometimes you need a break and that's ok.
We require a minimum of one month of active membership in FU both in the relevant game as well as on discord for a player to be considered.
You may apply for officership by contacting any active officers.
You may also be invited to become trial officer if you “forgot” to apply
Every officer starts as a Trial Officer. The trial period lasts a minimum of 3 months.
The trial is there to give the new officer a chance to observe how things actually work and participate at their own rate.
After the trial period is over the trial officer may ask for a review to become a “full“ officer or return to a regular member.
If you know you are going to be AFK for longer than the inactivity threshold but wish to remain as part of FU then reach out to an Officer who can arrange a Reservist role.
If a player is considered inactive the FU officers will attempt to contact and give a 7 day notification to the player. If the player is not found on Discord they will simply be removed.
A player removed due to inactivity can reapply at any time and will be given back their old rank in the outfit.
If you host a squad you are the highest ranking person in that context and those who join you should follow your lead. No FU member, veteran or officer outrank you in this context.
The FU ethos still apply and detrimental behavior will be addressed. “Your rules” applies mainly to your choice of assets and tactics.
Do not bulk lead.
Do not fear making mistakes as a leader! We will be here to support you and we love you for stepping up!
FU has an ingame culture of formations. This means when we reset to the warpgate for whatever reason we line up the squads before the platoon leader. The reason is not role playing.
Why formations then?
Well, formations have a number of uses:
Leadership cycling
Mindset
Aesthetic signal
Culture of respect
Formations are used primarily as a way to "reset" the platoon and give the leaders a chance to cycle so that we avoid burning out leaders by excessive leading. This also creates more opportunity for new leaders to emerge.
Formations show which players are not only unresponsive but which players run around, disregarding the group and try to disrupt the situation. It filters players based on their mindset.
Signals internally in the platoon that we are organized. Each squad with their own leader and line, the whole platoon collected.
Signals externally to outside players that this group is organized which attracts like minded to join.
The formation itself has become a symbol of respect by the platoon for the platoon and its leaders.
Specialist groups are alternative playstyles that are separate from the standard infantry platoon. These groups have dedicated roles you can opt into on discord to be notified of when they play.
It is discussed in ps2-general or another appropriate channel
It is tried out a few times in-game
If there is willingness to continue hosting the playstyle a dedicated role will be created
The specialist group will be added to the schedule
The player(s) hosting the playstyle will most likely become an officer (if they aren't already) so that they can better cooperate with the other content creators.