Posting in Groups, starting Groups and the different uses for Groups.

I have been looking after a few groups and keeping an eye on activity in most of the others (yes, as a sort of moderator if you like, well Hugh can't be expected to do it all) and I have noticed a few things that happen a lot and thought it might be useful to bring them to general attention. I have also written some thoughts about the use of groups and would welcome comments.

1.If you start a discussion in a group, although it appears on the 'latest activity', if
someone clicks on the link, it doesn't work, although you will be taken to the group if you click on its name. So it appears to be better to write a short reply/ comment in the reply bit and then you can see it on the front page and get it noticed (you can then delete the 'started a discussion in ...' message)

2.Since the ning upgrade, you can now post comments on the group pages but this won't show in latest activity for some reason. So if you want to reach all the members in the group it is probably better to use the group message facility. If you want non-members to see what you've written, it might be better to post a discussion and a short reply and it will appear on the main page.

3.If you write something that you know a connection/friend might be especially interested in, then you can use the 'share', go to to 'friends' and select from the list (bit like Facebook, if you use that) and it will send them a message.

4.If you set up a group and you want people to join, you can leave comments on the pages of people who are not your connections and message your connections. Or you can post a discussion in the group with a title like 'An Invitation to join...' with a short reply and it will feature on the main activity. Depending on the purpose of your group, another way to draw attention to your group is to post something in the main forum with a link to your group for people to click on. A second way is to post a discussion which will draw in a lot of interest and people will have to join your group to comment. Bear in mind that Hugh will announce your group in the weekly update with a link now so most people will hear about it.

It takes time for groups to build up, so don't be too disappointed if you don't get loads of members straight away. Some groups seem to be very popular straight away and others build up gradually. People may look at the contents of your group regularly without joining so keep posting and keeping it active. As the administrator, if you run a group that has a lot of new info every week, you can send out a mini update via the messaging facility to let people know what you are up to.

Lastly, groups at present seem mainly to talk about a shared interest like the History of Harringay or Books which is great and probably their main function but there is also the possibility of using them to set up real groups that meet up like the Book Club or as action groups to plan some sort of campaign like The Making the Difference bid group.

Action groups may be very short term..'Help get HOL some money' or long term 'Campaign for decent housing action group' / 'Friends of Harringay passage' etc. Aims would be agreed, targets for action set and information/opinions shared. There should be real life meetings but with an understanding that not everyone can attend. Communications from the group are signed by all members of the group and it is understood when you join the group, it is assumed that you are happy for this to happen. You may leave if you are not happy or ask for
your name to be removed from something you are not happy with. The group is easily identified and posts are stored/accessed without a long search. The same issues do not clog up the main forum.

I also think it would be good if the Resident's groups set up groups on the site to post things like agendas, minutes and general discussions which would make them much more visible and their information easily accessed but I'm working on persuading them of the value of this idea...