SIGNING UP ON THE GAUNTLET CALENDAR
As we have new players join the community, it's always a good idea to remind folks about how The Gauntlet approaches signing up for sessions.
 
PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES AND BEST PRACTICES
Signing up's a commitment to play, a minor one, but still one to consider. If you take a seat, that means someone else doesn't get that seat. Be fair to other Gauntlet Members in your attendance.
 
When you sign up for a game-- waitlist or not-- you should put it in your calendar. We don't have that automated yet, but it's an important minimal step you need to take. You can click on the calendar symbol on the event to add it to your Google calendar, if you've given permissions. 
 
There's nothing in the system to prevent you from waitlisting to multiple sessions in the same slot. That's not something we want to police. But if you do get into one of those events, please drop yourself from the others.

If you move up from the Waitlist to the event, you'll receive an email. When this happens, check the event out to make sure you don't have conflicts. If you can't make it, drop and tell the GM.
 
Life's hard. Scheduling's hard. That's a given and we understand that work, school, family, self-care can force someone to cancel. We don't ask or judge someone's reasons for doing that. But on the flip side we expect you to make an effort to drop with the most notice for the GM. If you're uncertain about making it, err on the side of dropping if people are waiting on the waitlist. Or talk to the GM about it. That's probably the best solution. In short: always notify the GM if you have to drop.
 
If you drop the day of or even a few days before, contact your GM to tell them. Give them a heads up, especially if you've already played a session or if there's a waitlist. This gives them the opportunity to go out and recruit people to fill in or plan around your absence.
 
You're under no obligation to explain a drop, but if you swap to another session and don't say anything, there's every chance your GM or fellow player will spot that. Try not to burn bridges.
 
All our games are open table. If you didn't enjoy a session, you don't have to return for the other sessions. But do inform the GM of your absence and do drop yourself from the list.
 
Be understanding of other players who have to drop. Help the GM integrate players from the Waitlist to the session.
 
In short try to look ahead and try to handle attendance with respect for the GM and fellow players.

GM RESPONSIBILITIES AND BEST PRACTICES
Show up and be ready. If something happens and you can't make it, communicate this to all of your players and tell them. Do this as early as possible to give them time to find another game.

Expect an open table. Don't plan on your line up to be the same from session to session. Be ready to roll with that. If you'd like more advice on Open Table, see here and here.

"Guest Spots," when a player is only there for one session, gives you a great opportunity-- to introduce someone new to the game and polish your skills. Don't be afraid to talk to the table about how to integrate a drop in player. Your players are one of your best resources for making this work. Reach out to the player ahead of the session, if possible, to set up some things.

If someone drops, be understanding about that. Don't judge. Sometimes it will be at the last minute and that sucks. But the overall attendance rate is pretty great in the Gauntlet, so don't let a few bad incidents sour you. This is especially true during the ongoing pandemic.

That being said, if you have a player who repeatedly drops at the last minute or without notice, send us a message at [email protected]. Or if you're on our Slack, message Lowell (edige23). Let use check in with them to see how we can make the process better for them.