Hi Lanliss. Can totally respect your reluctance to join a clan, I've spent most of my GoI days clan free. Lots of folks thought the purpose of N2 when I created it was to stop people inviting me to join other clans.
One things I will say is I think you misunderstand what the primary purpose of GoI Clans is for their members and leaders. Almost all of the established clans are disinterested in skill level. They want players who can play as a team and that they can have fun with. Typically the older clans interview in game for exactly this purpose, and most couldn't care less how good or bad you are, they are seeing if you are a good fit. If I see say a level 10 player join my ship with a [Gent] tag I know they are going to be at least somewhat personable. Clans also help with organisation for things like skrims, but you don't need to be a member of a clan for those things either, but it can help.
Your situation is exactly why I created N2. What about players who don't want the social commitment, or don't understand the social scene and just want to play, but are new and would benefit from having an established clan mark next to their name. It isn't a competitive thing, it isn't a social thing, members aren't expect to play together, and players can and should leave on their own accord. In fact they are expected to leave when they hit 500 games played. As Hamster says, there is no long term need for a clan tag in this game, but I wanted to help novices with the initial impression when it can make a difference. While there is a bunch of tutorial work and teaching I'm doing as part of this effort the clan itself I think of as less of a clan with a leader and more of a super-friend list with an arbiter of membership.
Honestly, you may not need it at this point. Lots of established folks read the forums and you've conducted yourself well here, so you will probably be recognised on your own merits. On the other hand if you think it might be useful hit me up in game.
