by Teresa T.
Member since:
August 6, 2008

About my groups...

October 28, 2008 11:42 AM EDT (Updated: April 18, 2009 04:08 PM EDT)
views: 64 | comments: 24

I just received an email about one of my groups being about reviews, yet they saw other members submit posts about games, politics and everything else under the sun.  I want folks to feel comfortable and welcome in my groups, but since the question was brought up...my intent was to start more specified groups, because we have so many "generalist" groups.

How can I encourage folks to post material for what the group was intended for, without making them feel like mince meat?  We need more specific groups so we can enjoy the beauty of everyone's talent without having to sift through mounds of material that just talks about anything?  I don't mind humor being a part of the post, because God knows that we have enough pain in our lives that we could use a good laugh.  I know for myself...I try not to post to the groups I belong to unless it relates to the group...even though from time to time...I miss the mark, usually because the groups specifications aren't that clear.

The only thing I know that I don't want in my groups is sending spam to others.  We have enough of that already and it would discourage people from joining.

Anyone got any suggestions that would keep the group pure to it's original origin?

 

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Comments: 24

If you want it to stay with just reviews, what I do is moderate the ones I have that are specified topics. I have 3-4 people who consistently post what ever they want. I remove them when I have the time to sit and sort those people out. Aside from that, with my newer groups, I state right on the page that after the 2nd or 3rd time of posting off-topic items, they are removed from the group.
Samantha V. Oct 28, 2008, 11:48am EDT
What Heather said.
Bridget ♥ Oct 28, 2008, 11:49am EDT
I agree with Heather! If you want a group to stay "topic specific" you have to moderate it!
Jennifer N. Oct 28, 2008, 11:50am EDT
The only way is to either moderate everything that comes in or to have it unmoderated and have you manually remove anything that doesn't fit.

Moderating doesn't make them send the right stuff - it only makes sure that you accept what you want. They will ALWAYS send off topic stuff and I find the same few members at all my groups are doing it time and time again.
Trish T. Oct 28, 2008, 11:58am EDT
not only does moderating allow you to delete ant thing not specified for the group but it allows you to see who posted and gives you a chance to shoot them a comment thanking them for posting giving you points and points to them as well!
© MrBill   Oct 28, 2008, 12:00pm EDT
The only sure way to maintain the integrity of a group theme is for the group host (owner) to moderate the group and approve only content that is relative to the group. As the group grows, the group host may want to select one or two upstanding group members to give moderator priviledges to so they can assist in approving new content submissions to the group.

We all have occasional fits of fat-finger-syndrome or click-itus when publishing on Gather and the majority of members do try to carefully select the groups a specific piece of content will be posted to. However ... unfortunately there are a significant percentage of Gather members that feel they have the right to disregard group themes and post anything and everything to any group they join. They will even do it to moderated groups and will ignore polite requests from the host and moderators about posting relative content. In extreme cases the group host may have to sort through their group member list and remove members that refuse to abide by the group posting guidelines.
Elaine S. Oct 28, 2008, 12:09pm EDT
no clue here
© MrBill   Oct 28, 2008, 12:15pm EDT
P.S. As the group host, you should provide a detailed description of your group. This is true for any type of group whether or not it is moderated, or even if it is a post-anything group. Your group description sets forth the theme, expectations for the group's content and members, basically a mission statement for the group. A group should be created to meet needs of its host and members, and a good group description gives prospective members the information they need to evaluate the group and determine if it will fulfill a publishing and socializing need they have.
Pamela O. Oct 28, 2008, 12:22pm EDT
Yeah, moderated is the way to go!
Stacey *Mamasaid* D. Oct 28, 2008, 12:27pm EDT
This is something I should probably think about as I started a couple of new groups recently...
Make it a moderated group. It's the only way. It can be a lot of work.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Oct 28, 2008, 12:33pm EDT
If you don't moderate your group you will get everything posted to it. It's just the way things seem to work out. It only takes an extra five minutes or so to approve items that are submitted if you do it every day or several times a day.
@**Phyllis**@ @ Mom of 2 boys@ Oct 28, 2008, 1:07pm EDT
Reminding everyone in a nice way why they signed up for the group in the first place.. : )
this way they can see what they joined for..
CyberGwen ! Oct 28, 2008, 1:18pm EDT
I think moderating is the key.
♠~Dnbuster~♠ ~. Oct 28, 2008, 1:51pm EDT
yup, moderate it, thats what i do at 2 of my groups so i dont have junk posted:)
DesertDarlene L. Oct 28, 2008, 2:12pm EDT
I have the same problem despite putting up a detailed description and warning that all unrelated material will be removed. I hate doing that. So, I have chose to moderate two of my groups. I even get an e-mail when I have new material to approve.

I, also, have members that keep posting whatever they want, but I just don't approve their items.

I try not to post something not related to the group, but sometimes I make a mistake and do it from time to time. Sometimes, though, I post things that don't belong because the group description doesn't specify what you can or can't post to the group.
DesertDarlene L. Oct 28, 2008, 2:13pm EDT
Also, you can choose whether or not members can send group e-mails. I think I allowed that on only one of my groups.
Tanya P. Oct 28, 2008, 3:25pm EDT
I moderate my groups, which are theme specific.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Oct 28, 2008, 4:50pm EDT
The best way is to moderate your groups. It is alot easier to check the content allow through. Than have to go back and delete. Or loose members because all of a sudden a theme group because a post all group. I to leave groups that are suppose to be theme but go to a post group with the owner saying it is a post all group.
Amy H. Oct 28, 2008, 4:53pm EDT
Thanks for posting your content to the Group: We comment back
Nora Davenport Oct 28, 2008, 4:56pm EDT
I try to be very, very careful when I post, to make sure my stuff is for particular groups........I am, trying, very, very hard to stay completely away from anything political, as I do NOT like negativity, hatefulness, cut throat remarks, etc......politics is getting to be so evil! As a result, I just stick with what I am interested in.....the "safe" groups!!!!!!
J F. Oct 28, 2008, 5:10pm EDT
I don't moderate any of my groups and believe me, I get everything in them. I'm always deleting junk. I really didn't want to moderate them so I get it all the time.
Stephannie H. Oct 28, 2008, 5:41pm EDT
I agree to moderate it.
Melissa J Oct 30, 2008, 6:20pm EDT
Just wanted to let you know I stopped by. Thanks for posting at Up All Nite Café.

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