Ranks of the Lollipop Guild and what they mean
First off, the Lollipop Guild is really two guilds in one: the Chat Guild, composed of everyone, and the Home Guild, composed of Initiates/Members/Kinsmen/Elders living in the vicinity of the Camp in Lower Egypt, and sharing goods.
Initiates
All start as Initiates; New players may stay there for quite a while, as we get to know them; others who are experienced players already known to us may be moved right along to the next rank. Some may be parked at Initiate while we decide whether they should become Associates or Members.
Initiates wishing to become Members can move the process forward by donating their work and resources with the guild - this can be anything from gathering wood, clay, herbs, shrooms, fish, helping with quarrying, mining, veggie growing, camp chores, or skilled work. Help the guild and mention it out loud so that the Elders of the Guild notice it!
Associates
Permanent rank for "outsider Lollies" who chat with us, live anywhere in Egypt, and perhaps use some of our resources, but don't generally donate to or take from the Guild chests. We love our Associates, and cheer them on with moral support, but they have their own guilds and possessions outside of Lolly.
Member
Member is a step rank for Initiates en route to becoming Kinsmen. Members should have access to more chests and be free to use just about everything the guild owns.
Kinsman
Permanent rank of full Lolly standing. Kinsmen own their full share of the Guild's resources. Kinsman are expected to have Lolly as their primary home guild.
Elders
Elders are no better than Kinsmen, but we select them sometimes to ensure that enough Elders are available to make decisions on membership and guild direction. Virtually all decisions require seconding by other Elders, except vetoes and emergency action. Elders must be stable and consider Lolly their primary home guild.
About Guild Chests
Any Kinsman or Elder should help Members and Initiates access what they may need from the Guild chests without any heavyhanded control - the Lollipop Guild is not a candy store, but there's no reason not to share our plentiful resources to help our Lollies pass tests, pay tuitions, and advance themselves, and help the community.
All Lollies are expected to use commonsense when taking RARE resources, and all Lollies are expected to replenish the chests with their own contributions. When anyone uses large quantities of some resource that others have gatherred or made, it's wise to speak up in Lolly news or chat and say so. Use the last of some renewable resource? Mention it, so that we know we need to put it on the To Do List.
Management of some items need to be tracked, like the Raeli Tiles with Nchanter. Don't be shy, just chat your requirements for what you want to do, and set up a plan to get what you need. If you need huge gems, at least ask around the guild, you may get lucky. Marble? Ask if we have it or can get it. Lollies should get their share of the guild's wealth and put it to good use!