I was looking around at players and realized that not all staff members are just high ranking/good players. So i then wondered, how did these people become staff members? Are they all aquaintances, family, etc. anyone have any idea?

staff members are those who:  a. have the time,  b. have interest,  c. proved - through performance, to be reliable, mature, and decent folks - considerate of other's feelings and tolerant of opinions that differed from their own.

    erik controls who becomes staff members.  It is his site, and he owns, runs, and manages many facets - except those facets he has turned over to others.

oh, i see. thanks :)