The Calling is a role playing Guild on the Earthen Ring (US) server of World of Warcraft. Here are a few simple guidlines that we've built up and have been practicing as a group, finally written down:
1. In character: Everything is in character (including party and guild chat) unless otherwise denoted, usually with (( and )) markers. For general OOC chat, there is a guild OOC channel: TheCallingOOC. To join this channel, type "/join TheCallingOOC" when you log on. For IC communication with our friends in other guilds, we also have the channel OneBattle (often reffered to as the "One Battle Tavern" or "One Battle Inn").
2. Character development: Characters should have a "personality" of their own, and you are encouraged to develop a full concept and background to motivate them. All initiates are encouraged provide a short IC story of their character in the guild Member Stories. For promotion to higher ranks, it is expected that a character will participate in RP often, both in-game and in the guild's forums.
3. Online time:You (the specific character) don't have to be a "hard core" player who is online all the time. Since we are a role playing guild, it is important to come to the guild RP events, like meetings and social events. Though you don't need to be there for all of them, it's generally at these events that promotions are given out, for new initiates and higher ranks alike.
4. RP-related addons: There are some great RP addons for WoW that members in the guild enjoy using. (For example, FlagRSP is great for those little RP extras that aren't provided by Blizzard.) They're really starting to catch on server-wide, and I would encourage you to try them out as well.
5. The community: This is a Role Playing guild and also community that we are trying to maintain. As such, support of each other, consideration, and respect are not just expected but are necessary components to being part of the guild. So be conscientious of the language you choose to use and how you treat your guildmates.
6. Looting: Our general loot policy for normal grouping (which many senior members take for granted now) is quite simple... You can roll on a "bind on equip" (BoE) item, but be willing to give it up to someone else who needs it as an upgrade. Make sure that you ask the group before rolling on a "bind on pickup" (BoP) item, and the general expectation is that everyone will pass. In a group where veryone is "trusted", the standard policy of passing on all "blues" and BoP items is used, with a "/rand 100" deciding first for "need" and then (if there is no "need"), everyone can have a "greed" roll. (If you would like to use a different scheme, please be clear with party right from the start. And let's not get started on raid looting systems... We're almost there, but not quite, so let's just say we'll talk about it. -wink-)
7. Enjoy yourself and have fun! Remeber: This isn't work it's a game and if it ever feels at all like work, then you might want to re-think your approach... I know I do all the time!