Our process for selecting Vols is top secret and has nothing to do with the highly valuable gifts given to the current members of the Vol/GM/DM team

On a more serious note, we decide a list of candidates from those players who have expressed interest over the past couple months on becoming a vol and suggestions from the Vol/GM/DM team on any other players we think would make a good Vol.  We then discuss the potential candidates with the rest of the group to get a feel for any issues that may have surfaced during their playing history.  If necessary, we will review conduct within the game logs and on the forum.

Typically, the qualifications we look for is someone who generally acts in a mature manner, can communicate well, and is respected within the community. 

Since MT is busy with other areas of the game, he rarely gets involved in the decisions of Vol promotion.

It's just an mutual admiration society, they're picking up those who likes them and who they like and think he's right person.

When you know how recrutation in eg. CIA or any other intelligence or national security agency works then you know how VOL recrutation process works. Theyre just watching and if they'll catch the right person they will make you an offer after hard invigilation. That is quite rare thing when a person becomes a VOL after an application.

IMHO all applications should be refused since ppl who likes more privileges potentially are going to use them for their satisfaction and other purposes.

Actually, this couldn't be further from the truth -- in the case of the last two Vols promoted, both of them approached us first and asked to be vols.  In general, I'd say it's about 50-60% of the Vols were from actual requests to be a Vol (including myself). 

I think you've watched Conspiracy Theory one too many times Luna. But, nice try...

Of course, keep in mind folks that Vinhi is ebbbillllllllllllll (but not nearly as ebbbbiiiiiiillllllllllllllllllll as Lippy/Longir) so he might just be saying that to keep us off balance?

Well, so it changed and that explains why i've noticed last time lets say wrong persons with VOL label. (btw, not about you Vinhi, im not planning revenge, i'll slap you one more. :]). For example i've been jailed just cause ppl were calling me names, is that right? No, no, no complaint department, im not whining or crying, just im pointing my observations about this fact and my advice is to change it back to normal state. I know world is not full of altruistic voulounteers and belive me i know it form life.

whatever... I agree with Luna... ("IMHO all applications should be refused since ppl who likes more privileges potentially are going to use them for their satisfaction and other purposes.")

First off, we don't expect everyone to agree with the Vol selection -- we *try* to find the best people that are interested in helping out the game from an admin point of view.  Believe me, it's tough position to be in and takes time away from your gaming experience so I give credit to those that wish to be Vols.  In the same breath, I realize that some Vols do take advantage of their powers and we deal with them appropriately. So, if you've had a problem with a Vol then I'd like to know about it (via PM).

And by the way, the two new vols I mentioned were given Vol status in the last few days so I don't think it's been a run in with them...

While I agree that people who want to become Vols just for the privileges will abuse them...I do not think that every one who expresses interest in becoming a vol does so because they view it as a way of gaining more power in the game...i think many people want to become vols because they think they can help the game this way, and some (probably a minority of those who ask) actually can. By Luna's logic, even some one, who has not expressed interest in becoming a vol but is asked to be made a vol and says yes is also suspect... only people who absolutely refuse to be made vols should be made vols..of course this would also lead to bad vols...
I had more to say...but as i read through Vinhi's posts i realized he's said it much better than i can so i'll stop here (but just thought that i'd add the opinion of someone who is not, nor expressed interest in becoming, a vol.)

i really think you shouldn't ask for drugs or money, (or x rated photos) why would you do this?!?

they were probably be sarcastic.  They were joking.

  I would like to be a Vol but I also would like to be a GM I've not been on that long i started on test server.In May of 08 my first character was Mangum but my first character on main server is Duker I wouldn't mind being a vol in training on test server and later on try being GM in training on test server so I could not mess up too bad on test server.I wish I had money or did drugs all the drugs i have are the meds the doctor gives me to keep me functioning in the real world if you know how to see ppls profiles I put my real name and the town i live in on my profile if You want too know more PM me in game or e-mail me. Im honest and helpful I'm trying to make our community better and funner for everyone {{{I also don't lye about my other Alts Just ask me and I always Tell on myself so ppl don't Waste there time and effort on me)))}} Oh yeah I borrowed gold and armor and weapons and returned them to Clients I've borrowed from Except one if you see Desig tell him I want to give back His Item I don't need It anymore I got better }}}}}