So you want to join [IAM], huh?  Well, you're looking at the right thread!

What does being a member of [IAM] mean?  Well, we can assure you, we're different than a LOT of clans out there.  To explain, let's start with the words of one of our members, [IAM] squishy:

What do we stand for if not a low-stress playing environment?  Practically every game that I play in, someone insults someone else's clan for being bad a the game, and every time I just shake my head because they have no idea why I am in a clan.  I didn't choose [IAM] because it had the best players on the planet, I chose them because I enjoy playing games with the members here.  Take that away, and I have no reason to be here.  A quick glance at my friends list reinforces my ideas that I'm not the only player who feels this way.  I think there is a market for a more civilized game, and that's something that we should be offering.

I have quickly penciled down a set of regulations that all promote a singular idea: the tag.  I want to be in a clan where people understand that the [IAM] in front of your name is more important than the name that comes after it.  Your tag represents a larger group than yourself.  Your behavior should therefore represent more than yourself.  There is a reason that I am embarrassed when my clan-mates behave poorly.  It's because we wear the same tag, and poor behavior on their part reflects poorly on me.

Squishy's post really reflects what we strive to embrace here at [IAM] a fun environment where gamers feel welcomed, at home and proud of what tag they wear.  In fact, our clan mantra says just that:

Overall Mantra: Always show respect to ALL players.  We play with a large variety of players from many different backgrounds. The language used in-game and in mumble should reflect an awareness of the other players that can hear you.  Our goal as a clan is to make a place that people WANT to play games. With that being said, this should be a fun environment that new players want to return to.  You should be welcoming and continue the atmosphere of respect that brought you here.  Bringing people into the community under these pretenses is strongly encouraged.  This is an all-encompassing rule.

Here at [IAM], we are a family.  A family of different people that has come together to play games together.  We range from casual gamers to competitive gamers and have outlets for all types of gamers as long as they fit in to the aforementioned community.

Recruitment into [IAM] is by invitation only, but don't let that discourage you.  That just means that we do not have a formal application process that new members must complete to be invited.  Invitations come to those that have expressed their interest and have shown they are/want to be a valuable member of our community.

If you would like become a member, it's simple, join us on these forums, our Mumble server, and in-game.  If you are not affiliated with any current clan, we may invite you to join (we will not consider those already members of other clans).  If you found us by playing a specific game, be sure to contact the game's corresponding [IAM] Division Leader.  These people can be found on the roster on the right side of the front page (go to HOME above) and are labeled as "Division Leaders" for their specific games.  You may also find Division Leaders by examining the forums for the corresponding game division and noting the moderator for that board (that's them!).

The Division Leaders are the conduit between the [IAM] Community and the [IAM] Leadership.  They are the ones that tell the [IAM] Leaders who to consider for a membership invite and why.  If the [IAM] Leaders like what they hear and agree, an invitation will be given PERSONALLY by the [IAM] Leaders.  This is the only form of a true invitation to [IAM].  You can find out who the Leaders are by examining the same roster on the front page (go to HOME above).  Division Leaders should be very open with discussing their feelings regarding your potential membership to our clan, but understand that this MAY come with some criticism.  They do not desire to be mean, but they are encouraged to be HONEST.  They are only trying to help your chances so be sure to show that you are mature enough to absorb/work with constructive criticism from them.

Additionally, be sure to check out our [IAM] Community Rules - you wouldn't want to break them if you want to become a member!  Add your "introduction" to the clan in our About Me section too!  This will make sure everyone knows who you are.

Thank you and good luck!  We hope to see you around!

Written by [IAM] Anomaly and [IAM] kMac - [IAM] Clan Leaders

Updated - July 30, 2010.