Welcome to Gaia! ::

You'll start noticing some new faces around here, so I hope that you'll all join me in making them feel welcome.
The reason that I decided to do this is because often, one of the best things that community can do to increase activity, liveliness, and vitality is to expand. Many of you have been here long enough to remember when this guild was Created as Matasoga's Lovelies. Two years later, I let the men in and changed the name. Now I feel the time has come for a (potentially) larger expansion.
Thus I have sent invites to the top posters (those who were on the first page of the members list when sorted by post count) of each of my affiliated guilds who were on the first page that posted at least once in the last month, as I feel their activity in their chosen guild suggests that they may be an asset here, as well.
My ultimate goal: To attain 666 members. Once attained, this number will remain constant. No new members will be added without older members being removed. If you're reading this, odds are that you're not on the list of those likely to be removed. I won't touch you, if you have even one post. As for those with zero posts, I'll be removing them in the order that they joined. We have plenty of people who have been in the guild for years without ever posting once. I'll be sure not to remove anyone, ever, for this reason, who hasn't even been in the guild for a week, but we're a long, long way from this happening, so I'll decide more specific policies as there becomes a need for them.

Nothing at all, but note that I said "Member count." If they never post, then eventually their time will come, too.
What's to say that everyone that's invited won't also make the decision to never post? Probability. Already we've got some posts from the New Wave Disciples.

Oh, I have a pretty complex ranking system dealing with that.
Lowest rank is the New Wave Disciples, or Second Wave Disciples. All of those who just came it.
Above that is just "Disciple." These people came in after the Minions were integrated.
Above this is "Lovely." These people joined sometime during the first two years.
Finally, above that is "Apostle." It doesn't matter when you joined. If you've reached the top twelve, in terms of your score (which is a slightly modified post count) then you've earned the highest distinction.
These "ranks" don't really mean much. It's just a point of prestige to show how long you've been here. It doesn't give anyone else the right to talk down to or belittle you. In fact, unless you ask for a custom badge for your signature, then it won't even come up. It would only be seen as a title there.
Really, the most important rank is what number you are, in terms of the post-count hierarchy. You earn a number once you hit 50 posts. You seem to be fairly active and showing promise, as well as astute and intelligent so I do hope that I'll be ranking you, soon.

I think that many of you will notice that there is something of a history, here. A lot of those who have posted intellectually bankrupt topics that have floundered and died didn't really stick around. I want everyone to be made to feel welcome, but I think that time has away of enforcing a sort of standard upon those who wish to make long term additions of themselves.
Moreover I can think of at least a couple of people who became more... intellectually relevant than they were when they first started out. I am certainly not saying that the guild should assume full credit, but it's manifestation therein was primary.