Just Some Thoughts

[spoiler = just a suggestion to the OP]
You make some good points, however the big blocks of text make it harder to read. One of the things I learned in journalism class is that breaking up those big para graphs make it eaiser to read. Just a thought [/spoiler]

Here is a test to determin that:
Has the server darasticly changed in some sort of way. And by darasticly I mean like new completly diffrent game modes, not just a new lobby or up date.
OR has the community darasticly changed, or has become more toxic.
If you answered yes to these questions then its probalby something to do with the server, a change that you might not like.
But most likely its got to do with the fact that you have got older. Its okay to grow out of minecraft. I know some staff members in the past have said the only reason that stay here is because of the firends that have, and not because of minecraft.

Me and YFIOTR had this conversation before.
This server wont last forever, it had it start, and will have its end. When I dont know, so just enjoy it while it lasts.

Ive always been on the fence with this. for one, this:

I agree with. There are a few groups that act like there the hot shit, and the attitude on the forums show it.
However @Cingle makes a good point:
Its there channel. When Im in charge of a channel there are people I always say no to, because they have caused problems before. I also become awkward when there are people I dont know around. So im not crazy with people I dont know well.
However I always tell people no, I dont ignore them, always tell someone no.

I would like to know how you came to the conclusion, that players are equal to staff in the respect of promotions.
Thats not how this works. Honestly the only people that should decide is the higher staff.
However Helpers and Mods are more qualified because they are in that position, and know what it is like to be a staff member. Anything we say is pretty much speculation, and the smart ones draw conclusions from patterns of promotions.
However some people have claimed bias and here is my opinion on that.
First its important to understand that Bias is not an issue of competency, Im fairly sure that any one that is, biasly, picked will do there job fine.
Second off its important to understand that if a situation is TRULEY bias, whos fault it is. Dont hate on the person being promoted, they wanted staff just like you do, and you cant fault them for that.
And honestly I have no problem with you being friends/dating staff members if your a player. As long as the promotion seems logical.
For example I have heard crys of bias about Kate's promotion being bias. However I disagree with that here is why.

For one kate has been around the community for a long time, and has a very good attitude, now that she cleaned it up.
Second off Xennon and Kate have dated for a long time, and only now was she promoted. If it was truly a bias issue, then she would of gotten promoted a long time ago.
Thirdly I think Kate would of gotten promoted regardless with out dating Xenon.

You see Kate had bid her time like the rest of us, she had to wait a while to get promoted, and then got it. And thats fine with me, I think her promotion was the best call out of this group.

My problem with bias occurs when someone seemed to not have to wait long, be friends with staff, and get prmoted. Now no were in that did I say that such person will be a bad helper, s/he could be a fantastic helper. However I feel like s/he needs to wait, let someone else that has been here longer and demonstrates potential get the job. Then, her/his time will come, just likes Kates.

Trust me that wont work, Ive learned that the hard way.

 

About staff promotions "not being fair", and that "the community should have a say in who gets promoted":

First of all, people seem to be taking the assumption that Helpers and Mods have a say in who gets promoted. That is incorrect, they don't. Only the Admins, which there are two of, have a say in who gets promoted or not. The ultimate decision is made by a (Co)owner. Sure, we may ask our helpers and mods for opinions about a potential candidate, but that is far from "executive power" as OP put it.

Second, people are saying that it is unfair that the entire staff team is controlled by only a handful of people. But isn't that the case for every Minecraft server in the universe? I don't know of any server where the community gets to decide who gets promoted or not.
Same goes for the real world. Does the entire population of a city get a say in which police officer is hired? What about a company like Apple? Does every customer get a vote every time Apple wants to hire a new employee?

Furthermore, there are plenty of examples in our current staff team that prove that not only "friends of staff members" get hired. It is simply not true. If you suspect corruption within our staff team, then feel free to PM me, and I'll take a look at your claim.


As for the other issues mentioned, I agree that there are too many hackers, I agree that we should focus on accepting more suggestions, and I agree that there are flaws in our staff system. We will try to improve these things.

 

So if I went on a skype call and talked shit about your friends, would you jump in and defend them?
Exactly, staff like to stick up for eachother, and thats fine. Ive been a part of a team were they hang you out to dry, and it sucks.
I will also say that in two of the three staff abuse reports I made, the staff seemed to side with me, and one to the point were I told them to back off.
The other one was me being stupid, so I dont fault them for that.
Case in point: If you have a valid complaint, and are RESPECTFUL. staff will gladly look at your side. However if you come into a report accusing people, and just being rude, then you should expect for them to defend them sleves.
Staff are alot like the cops, not matter how bad they are, the nicer you are to them the easier it will be for you.

That said I want to play devils advocate here.

I think you have to understand why people would come to this conclusion.
I see this argument both ways, in some respects it can look like its blatant bias, if you want an example I can PM you. We have seen in the past were people get butt hurt if the promotion is not them. Caity and Devin are two examples of that.
However.

That is also ture. And I think most people dont realize that. Its ultimately your server, not ours.