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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ghostwind" data-source="post: 484933" data-attributes="member: 3060">The RPGA as a whole is a good organization with some great things going for it. However, like any organization, you will have both good and bad experiences from its members and from people who are curious about the organization.I got involved in the organization about a year ago when I saw that Winter Fantasy was coming to Fort Wayne. After signing up and then pre-registering for several events, I tried to create a LG and LC character based on the rules (which seemed to be in a state of flux due to several changes at that time).So what happened when I went to WF as a newbie? The folks at Living City were ready to hang Ryan Dancey at the gallows over proposed changes that were far from being official, the Living Greyhawk people seemd to be in the midsts of a huge internal political b*tchfest about all of the recent rule changes and how "their character was getting the wrong end of the shaft" and how badly written the scenarios were since it appeared several of them were written on the way to the Con. Finally, I found the most negative attitude one could find in regards to newbies. In fact, one person even went so far as to tell me that conventions were no place for people with first level characters, that only experienced characters had a right to play. Yeah, he actually told me this to my face when I was trying to get assigned to a table.Endearing experience right? Actually it was, but not because of gaming. Rather, because Wotc was putting on several seminars on game design and whatnot, I got to meet and game with some incredible people from the professional industry with some of them now being good friends. If it wasn't for that, WF would have been quite sour.So what has happened in that year since? Well, I have found that getting involved in LG to be next to impossible at the gaming store where it is held. I went there once on a gaming day and was told they could not accomodate me because they only run adventures higher than 5th level. Another time I went no one would even give me the time of day unless I was there to buy something. Fortunately, I met a group of gamers that play LC and even though I do not get much opportunity to play consistently, there is always a place at the table for me and my now 3rd level character. So there is light at the end of the tunnel after all.The point of my rambling is that while the organization is a good thing and I do acknowledge that their members work their butts off (most of the time) at a Con, the attitudes of the membership leaves a lot to be desired. There are obviously many things that could be done to improve how the system works but the biggest broken gear is the lack of new member support. Someone who is involved in the RPGA at the upper levels should listen to this because it was a complaint I heard at Winter Fantasy and again recently at PentaCon, "New members should have a very clear and concisely written manual explaining more than just how to create your character.  There should be explanations about certs, the adventures, how best to determine the APL, and who to contact if you have questions." Member support, frankly, sucks on the email channels. I had to call the convention center myself in September to find out when this year's Winter Fantasy dates were because no one at the RPGA either knew or would respond to my inquiring on the dates (I had to give Ryan Dancey the dates because he didn't even know).Guys, it is a good organization but it leaves a lot to be desired. One of the things I plan to do at this year's WF is make a point to check out Living Kalamar. From everything I have heard so far, they seem to be on the right track with their membership and the way they run things (most likely learning from the mistakes of others). I also want to take a look at Living Arcanis, because at last year's WF, those folks were having the time of their lives and it showed (especially at the auction). Which is how it should be all the time at any convention...</blockquote>

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