WednesdayAddams looks around the streets and see's a few people standing around going about their business. She decides there really isn't a good time for these kind of things and gets up on a soapbox 

"As you may have noticed, I am not one for really coming out into the streets too often but today I was going through some things and noticed a disgruntled next of kin of a past member not being so polite about me, at their father's funeral. Normally I just brush these things off but I feel that maybe we should discuss what exactly is it that all you fine people expect from your upper structure? I also was wondering the opinions of the upper structure on this matter and maybe find out what you personally expect of a family member? I can't help but feel like it would only be fair if I was to start since I am the one asking these questions so here it goes."

WednesdayAddams clears her throat before continuing 

"I personally don't expect much from my family members more than following the family rules and respect in the public's eye at all times. This would include the streets, the business districts, your suits, and the coffee lounges. You don't have to like the person but you should at least give them respect. I say public mainly because I can't prove what goes on behind closed doors. I also expect my members to help out in the family in some way either by getting their hands dirty when asked or sending up some cash once in awhile. It's not easy or cheap to run a family and the upper structure does pay for things like a family headquarters, so there is a wall between you and these harsh elements of this world, mistakes made by family members are also not cheap, annnnd let's face it, how this thing of ours works."

WednesdayAddams pauses while trying to think about how to word the next part

"Now before I was apart of management I was in a few families. And I personally expected my family leaders to not be in a comatose state all the time and to not ignore me when I was trying to get attention. I also expected them to be fair when it came to promotions and what not and was lucky enough to not have any issues in the families I was apart of. I know I didn't expect them to entertain me when I was, as my past family member's kin pointed out "bored" but I did expect a response when I sent a correspondence to them. I also donated as I feel that something everyone should be doing since this is a business we are trying to run. And yes its nice to be pointed out when I did donate but I never expected to get a good job after every time I donated. My leader is busy and if I really wanted a thank you I would of been proactive and sent a message to them."

WednesdayAddams pulls a small silver flask out and takes a shot

"Sorry a little bit of cotton mouth after that long winded speech, Anyways Thing!"

Thing pops out of her bag and grabs the flask and WednesdayAddams continues

"I am hoping to hear all of your thoughts on this matter so the box is yours"

WednesdayAddams steps down and lets someone else have the floor. 

Jub raised an eyebrow, making the skin on the forehead of his round head curl up in a thousand miniature fat-rolls, a perfect reflection of the rest of his 700 pound body.

"What I generally like in a leader is competence, experience, someone who knows how to handle business. Someone who I am sure will keep the ship afloat. Someone who knows when to be serious and when to let loose. Preferably someone who doesn't have a stick up their arse."

"Though in general I'd say that a crewmate should not ask themselves 'What can my crew do for me', but rather 'What can I do for my crew?'. You work for your boss, not the other way around. I've seen too many people preach the inverse as of late and demand their crewleader be somekind of mass-entertainer."

Kenny listens to WednesdayAddams speech and thinks a bit, after listening to JubTheNub, he starts speaking.

"I have the same mentality as Jub. I also expect my crew leader to be better than me at leading, and I can say for sure that worm is the best CL I ever had, please don't tell him that."

"I also had the pleasure to be under Goku's lineage in LV, but it was cut short by some crazy lady so I really didn't get to fully experience the way he leads. But they're good examples of what a good CL can be. Call me an ass kisser, I don't mind. Good leaders must be praised in my opinion."

"Worst crew leader has gotta be MichaelRusso. Fucking slacker and all he does is ask you for money. Fuck you Michael." The crowd starts clapping and whispering "he's right!"

"I think JubTheNub could not have put that better and I agree wholeheartedly. So many expect miracles from CL's and to have it handed to them on a plate, deserving or not. I will spend the time helping and guiding anyone that I invite into my crew, as is the responsibility I accepted but when you have someone who is more than willing to put in a bit of work for you too, you will go that extra mile." 

TinyTim slaps his own forehead as the realisation hits home that he had just agreed with JubTheNub. 

"Some aren't bothered about working for you or you working for them, in all fairness. They just want the protection you can provide them. But I do think that the best CL's are motivators, who do get the crew members to achieve their potential. The best CL that I've ever had, certainly was that and that is what I aspire to be as a CL myself. A good community spirit can do wonders too." 

After some other mafiosi gave their opinions, marijuana waved his hand to help dissipate the smoke from his joint around his face and any others near him. He nodded his head in response.

"Yeah, when it comes to family Leaders, I don't much expect the world of them. I mean, I've always felt I would do my best to impress them. Though diggin' deep, I'd say the few things that shine out, are the ones who do show appreciation and go to long lengths to do that. It does mean a ton to get the acknowledgment. Since I don't believe it's truly required by them. They of course done their part with protection and looking after us. If they can navigate us through this thing of ours for a while, they have earned a gold star in my book."

He takes another hit from his joint - the smoke constantly billowing out almost never ending."Onto the part about what we expect of the members. I concur with Godmother WednesdayAddams here. Mostly to follow the rules set out before them and to show some aspiration in any skill within our field. You show me promise and follow the rule of the land, you'd make it far within any organization."

Tooty decided to accept the invitation to come out here and help out GF WednesdayAddams. Thumbing through her diary handed down to her from her kin Twisted it appears there is somewhat of a twist on a situation.

I ask everyone to visit the obit of Twisted. Had GF WednesdayAddams left it at no WS and RIP we would not be here having this discussion. Twisted respected her rules and respected her blood in blood out. That should have been the end of that situation. If anyone was disgruntled it was him. 

The amount donated was really unnecessary to announce and then to undermine the two 2 million sent up. Not very fitting coming from a leader of a crew. Considering the time Twisted put in 2 mil was damn good. Why is it so hard to say thank you? How many other donations were you getting? I know the answer. 

My kins that have graced these shores for many years, and you are now the third CL who takes issue with a simple thank you. The majority we have come to meet say thank you. This combined with lack of interaction, bitching about a change taking place, and not responding to a mail was quite the bore/turn off for my kin Twisted.

Three of my kins lead a crew and however much was sent they all said thank you. It is the right thing to do. It is showing respect and that is something CL's want. The problem I see is you do not realize without a crew you are a nobody. Every crew member is worthy of a thank you. 

Seeing the kin in question come out and speak, WednesdayAddams requests the attention of the crowd.

"I am glad you were able to make it Tooty, I was hoping you would come out and share your thoughts on the questions I asked but sadly it seems you only want to continue to tarnish my name. I am not ashamed by what I said at your father's funeral and I would do it again. I am also sorry that you took issue with me "complaining" or as I would put it voicing my opinions to my family in our personal coffee shop which if you had read my rules, is off limits to bring to the public, as the coffee shop is a place for family eyes only. I would also like to point out your father not once attempted to voice any of these concerns and the only correspondence he made with me was to be put to rest with the fishes and a few times left me messages at the family coffee house about my cousin It and general greetings.

I also went through my over 1 thousand letters and found one where I did thank your father for their first donation and usually do so, especially if its a big one. I understand you were offended that I didn't say thank you for every 200k donation your father sent and maybe I should be more active in thanking my members individually and will make an attempt to do so in the future. But instead of coming to me with these concerns helping me grow, your father decided he no longer wished to continue. As to the remark you know of my finances I seriously doubt that as trust me your father's 2 million while nice, barely scratches the surface of a lot of my members and I am super thankful to each and every one of them for helping the family. Serious shout out to my family for keeping our business in tip top shape!

Now your allegations of me not knowing it how important my family is for me to be a Godmother on these harsh streets is ludicrous. Wouldn't be much of a family without at least some citizens apart of it. What I really would like to know is was you and your kin's intention to tarnish my name because of your bloodlines hatred for my fellow Godfather and Godmother of Philly and this was the best you can do, or is this just how your bloodline behaves normally? I honestly want to know because honestly if you want some advice, I wouldn't be so quick to just assume people won't change if you give them a chance. Had your father came at me in a respectful manner and asked why I hadn't thanked them and discussed any other issues they had I would of been happy to discuss with them and may even had made it even better to be apart of my family with them in it. Instead they decided I wasn't worth the time and asked to be let go. I honestly feel it wouldn't of mattered what I did you would of found fault with anything I did as I am loyal to someone your bloodline is very against. If that's not the case than I apologize but only if that really isn't the case. Either way I still hope you and your future kin have a better time and good luck in their future endeavors"

as she finishes her spiel WednesdayAddams yells

"Thing flask!"

Thing pops back out with the flask and sits on her shoulder

"I am sorry for such a long winded speech yet again peoples and the floor is now yours once again!"

WednesdayAddams grabs the flask and downs it before handing it back to her faithful companion and stepping back into the crowd

Rebecca had been listening to the conversation happening around her on the streets debating if she wanted to participate or not. When WednesdayAddams was approached by the offspring of a former member, the choice was pretty much made for her, and she immediately found herself losing interest. That was until the entity called Thing appeared before her very eyes, causing Rebecca to speak without really thinking, "Is this thing of ours?" knowing that was a common phrase said around the streets. 

Realizing she may have made a mistake, and not really having prepared anything she blurted out the first thing that was relevant at the moment, panic was a wonderful thing apparently. "I'm only a wiseguy but my earnings are over twenty-five million." After the words had left her mouth, Rebecca looked down sheepishly realizing she was going to have to add even more... to the conversation, hopefully not her Boss' pockets. 

Making a noise that was a cross between a cough and a cry for help, Rebecca continued. "My family has had crew leaders that receive the initial donation of one million, as is our custom, and never say a peep regarding it. But that doesn't mean my mother or great-great-great-grandfather would complain, it just meant that no further donations would be made." 

Rebecca shrugged, "It's been said that you only have one shot, one opportunity in this world and it just doesn't seem like its worth complaining about trivial things that really aren't that important." Rebecca was very aware that the initial conversation WednesdayAddams had broached to the public wasn't really what was being responded to, but she needed more time to gather her thoughts. "Apologies for butting in, I suppose I should ponder the real questions you posed, and participate fully." she said to the Crewleader from Philadelphia, "Which if you excuse me, I'll let other's speak while I gather my thoughts." 

Tooty shakes her head at GF WednesdayAddams  still missing the point

Once again GF WednesdayAddams, a simple RIP no WS at my kins funeral was all that was required. My kin did not retire. My kin took the high road by respecting your way of life.  You forced my hand to speak and defend Twisted. I know for a fact Twisted agreed and respected your loyalty to your GF in Philly. 

You won Twisted by your intro when Twisted was looking for work. Twisted was impressed. As for all the chatter about Twisted could have come to you and talk about what troubles her, is nothing but nonsense. How does it look for a 10-day old wise guy tell or suggest to a GF what is proper?  You ought to know being in the position you are in. 

Have a great day! 

Nord overhears a small group of people discussing the qualities of good leadership. It makes him think of what he would like to see from those above him.

"I expect them to have a strong presence," he thinks to himself, "to be recognised in the streets and to be able to speak with confidence. To weigh in on important topics and clearly present their vision. Just like worm does for all things related to our soil. Just like he did when Jub needed to go on a broccoli diet."

"I also think they should be quick to react," the train of thoughts continues in his head. "Sometimes the clock is ticking fast and there is no time for long debates. When worm sees that one dollar coin in the street, he's the first to snatch it. This is what I call leading by example."

Nord nods slowly, deep in his thoughts, when he notices the discussion has turned more into a dialogue between the leader of South Philly and some young kid. He decides not to speak at all and walks away.

Finding this speech and the subsequent replies was a blessing for Alucard. Maybe not all is lost. Maybe the "old school" mentality was still alive and thriving. Could it be? He had to dive deeper.

First off, thank you Wednesday for taking the time to make this speech, and for all those who have replied thus far. It has been surprisingly eye-opening in a very good way. I suppose I'll put in my two cents as a crew leader, and every crew leader was once a member, so I'll comment on that as well if I can.

As a crew leader, I don't expect a lot from my members, but the things I do expect are not negotiable. Loyalty, Respect, Constraint, and Omerta. Loyalty: I believe in blood in, blood out. Especially when you are Made and above. Once you accept the rank of Made Man, your life should be dedicated to your crew leader. Anything you do to undermine this should result in your death. This includes associating in underground groups, plotting, etc. Respect: Respect not only to myself but to other leaders of the community, and higher ranking mafioso, is a must. This is a rule as old as our way of life itself. It's simple not to disrespect someone who's done more than maybe you ever will. Another easy way to find yourself in a pine box. Constraint: Shooting other protected members of our society is a huge no-no unless specifically told to do so by your upper structure. This also includes accidents. You should be able to avoid mistakes. If I've gone a year without making a mistake with my gun, then you have no excuse. You have a safety on that thing for a reason. Omerta: Leaking sensitive information that your upper structure tells you is another offence that will get you the ultimate punishment. Secrecy in our way of life is huge. Omerta must be respected at all times. If you leak you will be killed. No ifs, ands, or buts, about it. This is yet another rule that has been in place since the early days of this thing of ours.

So as you can see, pretty straight forward coming from a crew leader's perspective. Now what about through the eyes of a member? I will be the first to say it's been awhile since that has been the case for me, but my bloodline has been in those shoes more times than I care to admit. I expect my crew leader to have forts set up. When I'm in my home city I should not have to worry about some noob taking a shot at me. I expect to have the protection of my family. When I wear my crew crest with pride, gangsters should think twice about taking a pot shot at me. If I'm disrespected by a lower ranking member, I expect my crew leader to take care of it. I expect that if I've been training hard at the gun range, that my crew leader will offer me further protection in the form of bodyguards. I don't see anything beyond those responsibilities. It should be an honour to be part of this thing. So you should treat it as such.

Hopefully that answers any questions.