Fellow guildmembers. Last night, I was promoted to guildmaster in order to get our guild back in shape for raiding. Kizaei will be stepping down from guildmaster, and his new position in the guild will be announced at a later date. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Kiz, Kahn and Kozar for all their work previous. Certainly without them there would be no Maelstrom to raid in the first place.

People are going to notice some policy changes over the upcoming weeks as we organize our officer corps, and begin to promote people to fill holes. The first thing I'll be working on is a clear list of expectations for people at every level (except reservists) for what we expect from them, and what they can expect from the other levels.

Secondly, we will begin to hold our officer corps accountable for clear, deliverable items. Every officer will have a responsibility and will be given the authority to make the changes happen that need to take place, and all of our leaders will be held to a scorecard (including me) to ensure that as a guild we continue to take steps forward, and halt the back-sliding. In addition, the policies and plans of each officer will be made available in the forums, along with as-needed updates on their progress. Expect to see mine over the weekend, and our other officers as we fill positions that line up with the specific policies that will be laid out.

Thirdly, we're going to get our bank in shape. In the next 3 weeks, by the end of May, we will have clear guidelines about what materials go into what bank tab, for what we expect from people of each level with regards to what should be removed from the bank, and what we expect for returning money/items to the guild.

I want to thank everyone that has stuck with us over the last 6 months as Lich King came out. I know that there's really nothing forcing anyone to stay with us, and it is only your loyalty, patience  and friendship that has kept you with us so far. It is my expectation that the loyalty, patience, and friendship that you've shown us will be repaid with a guild that is more streamlined, better capable of serving the guildmembers, and more effective in end-game content.

Let me close by telling a story - in May of last year, Maelstrom was in a similar situation. Our raids were tailing off, and we were having a hard time focusing on running the content that was available to us. Last year in May, Kozar, Kizaei, Zeddius and I sat together and made a decision that we would not let the guild fall apart, and that we would redouble our efforts to rebuild a Maelstrom that was twice as strong, and we were able to do that. Now, a year later, our officer corps has made the same decision. We will not let Maelstrom slip away. We will rebuild stronger yet. A new dawn rises on a stronger Maelstrom today, and I ask you to celebrate a new chance for our guild to thrive.

Big round of applause to Zeddius and Angelii!  Their daughter Eleanor Rose came into this world last Sunday.  May her life be full of beauty, joy, promise and wonder!  Welcome to "theIRL" little one, you are already loved by so many.

Maelstrom has a new Guild Tabard!  Congratulations to Gutzyella for designing the winner and getting the most votes. 

That's right!  Get your vote in before the poll closes!

Get your vote in!  All the member created tabard designs have been submitted and now it is your chance to vote!  We'll have a new Guild Tabard for Valentines Day!!!

Good Luck to all of you!