👥 Groups Guide

Joining a Group

Becoming a member of a group is simple and free:

1. Find a group: Use the Discover Groups page or search for specific interests.
2. Visit the group page: Click on a group to see its description, upcoming events, and members.
3. Click "Join Group": The join button is prominently displayed on the group page.
4. Start participating: You'll immediately have access to RSVP to events and view group content.

Leaving a Group

If you decide a group isn't right for you, you can leave at any time:

1. Go to the group's page.
2. Click on "Leave Group" (usually found in the group settings or member options).
3. Confirm your decision.

After leaving, you'll no longer receive notifications from the group or be able to RSVP to its events.

Creating Your Own Group

Have a passion that isn't represented? Start your own community!

How to Create a Group

1. Click "Create New Group": Find this button in the navigation bar when logged in.
2. Choose a name: Pick a clear, descriptive name that tells people what your group is about.
3. Write a description: Explain the purpose of your group, what members can expect, and who should join.
4. Add a banner image: Upload an eye-catching image that represents your group.
5. Set your location: Specify where your group is based (for in-person events).
6. Publish your group: Once you're happy with the details, make your group visible to others.

Tips for a Successful Group

• Be specific: "Downtown Seattle Hiking Club" is better than just "Hiking."
• Host regular events: Active groups attract more members.
• Engage with members: Welcome new members and encourage participation.
• Keep your description updated: Make sure it accurately reflects what your group does.

Group Organizer Responsibilities

As a group organizer, you have special abilities and responsibilities:

What Organizers Can Do

• Create and manage events
• Edit group details and settings
• Manage group members
• Send messages to all members
• Promote members to co-organizer status

Best Practices

• Be responsive: Answer member questions promptly.
• Communicate clearly: Keep members informed about events and changes.
• Create a welcoming environment: Make newcomers feel included.
• Plan ahead: Schedule events in advance so members can plan to attend.

Managing Group Settings

Organizers can customize various group settings:

• Group name and description: Update these anytime to reflect your group's evolution.
• Banner image: Change your group's visual identity. Accepted formats are PNG, JPEG, GIF, and WebP. Recommended aspect ratio: 16:9 (e.g., 1920×1080, 1280×720, 640×360 pixels) for optimal display across all devices.
• Location: Update if your group moves to a new area.
• Member management: View members, promote co-organizers, or remove members if necessary.

Social Media Links

Connect your group's online presence by adding social media links in the group edit page. Supported platforms include:

• Facebook
• Twitter / X
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• YouTube
• GitHub
• Website

Social media links are displayed on your group's page with recognizable icons, making it easy for members and visitors to find your group across platforms. Leave any field blank if it doesn't apply.

Image Guidelines

Follow these recommendations for the best visual appearance of your group:

• Group Banner Images: Use 16:9 aspect ratio for optimal display
  • Recommended sizes: 1920×1080, 1280×720, or 640×360 pixels
  • Maximum resolution: 4096×4096 pixels (images larger than this will be rejected)
  • Formats: PNG, JPEG, GIF, or WebP (WebP recommended for faster loading)
  • Content tips: Include your group name, logo, or imagery that represents your group's theme
  • File size: Keep under 2MB for optimal performance
• Event Main Images: Use 16:9 aspect ratio for event cover images (not photo galleries)
  • Recommended sizes: 1280×720 or 640×360 pixels
  • Maximum resolution: 4096×4096 pixels (images larger than this will be rejected)
  • Content tips: Show event activities, venue photos, or thematic imagery
• Event Photo Galleries: Any aspect ratio accepted
  • Flexibility: Landscape, portrait, or square formats all work well
  • Maximum resolution: 4096×4096 pixels (images larger than this will be rejected)
  • Display: Photos maintain original proportions in the gallery

Technical Limits

To ensure optimal performance and server stability, GatherLogic enforces these technical limits:

• Maximum resolution: 4096×4096 pixels
  • Applies to all image uploads (group banners, profile photos, event images)
  • Images exceeding this limit will be automatically rejected
  • This prevents server memory issues and ensures fast loading times
• File size limits
  • Varies by group configuration (typically 2-5MB per image)
  • WebP format recommended for smaller file sizes

Enhanced Group Features

GatherLogic includes advanced features to make your group stand out and support international communities:

• WebP Banner Support: Upload WebP images for faster loading and better compression. The system automatically:
  • Converts uploaded images to WebP format for optimal performance
  • Falls back to original format if WebP isn't supported
  • Displays the best quality image based on the user's device
• Extended Character Support: Full support for international characters in group names, and descriptions:
  • Accented letters: á, é, í, ó, ú, ñ, ç, ü, etc.
  • Currency symbols: €, £, ¥, ₩, etc.
  • Special characters: ©, ®, ™, §, etc.
  • International emojis and symbols
• Welcome Message Field: Simple text area (2000 character limit) for creating custom welcome messages sent to new group members.

Group Communication

Stay connected with your group members through direct communication features:

Contacting Group Organizers

Need to reach out to group leadership directly? Use the contact organizer feature:

When to Contact Organizers

• Questions about group policies or events
• Reporting issues or concerns
• Suggestions for group improvements
• Requesting special accommodations for events

How to Contact Organizers

1. Go to the group page
2. Look for "Contact Organizer" button or link
3. Fill out the contact form with your message
4. Submit your message - organizers will receive it via email

Contacting Group Members

Organizers can message all group members for important announcements:

Organizer Member Messaging

• Who can send: Only organizers and co-organizers can message all members
• Appropriate uses: Event announcements, policy changes, important group updates
• Message delivery: Members receive messages via email and in-app notifications

Member Guidelines

• No spam: Don't send excessive or promotional messages
• Respect preferences: Honor members who opt out of non-essential communications
• Clear communication: Be specific and concise in your messages

Member Roles

Groups have different member roles with varying permissions:

• Member: Can RSVP to events, view group content, and participate in discussions.
• Co-Organizer: Can create and manage events, and help with group management.
• Organizer: Full control over the group, including settings and member management.

Group Leadership

Effective group leadership helps build thriving communities. Here's how to manage your group's leadership team:

Adding Co-Organizers

Share the responsibility of organizing by adding co-organizers:

Who Makes a Good Co-Organizer

• Active and engaged group members
• Reliable and committed to the group's success
• Good communication skills
• Understanding of the group's purpose and values

How to Add Co-Organizers

1. Go to your group page
2. Click "Members" to see all group members
3. Find the member you want to promote
4. Click "Promote to Co-Organizer" (organizer-only feature)
5. Confirm the promotion

What Happens After You Submit

1. Group status: Pending: Your group is created but not yet visible to the public.
2. Community review: The GatherLogic Community Review Team reviews your group for compliance with guidelines.
3. Approval decision: Your group is either approved or rejected.
4. Group activation: Approved groups become public and visible to all users.

Co-Organizer Responsibilities

• Event management: Create, edit, and manage events
• Member communication: Participate in conversations and contact members
• Group settings: Help manage group configuration and policies
• Member support: Help answer member questions and resolve issues

Stepping Down from Leadership

When you need to reduce your involvement in group leadership:

Co-Organizer Stepping Down

• Voluntary step-down: Co-organizers can step down at any time
• Process: Use "Step Down" option in member management
• Impact: You'll become a regular member but can still participate in events

Organizer Transition

• Before stepping down: Ensure there's at least one other organizer
• Transfer ownership: Promote a co-organizer to organizer first
• Group continuity: Plan the transition to avoid disruption

Member Management

Maintain a healthy group community through thoughtful member management:

Removing Members

Sometimes it's necessary to remove members from your group:

Valid Reasons for Removal

• Policy violations: Repeatedly breaking group rules or community guidelines
• Disruptive behavior: Causing conflicts or making other members uncomfortable
• Spam or promotion: Using the group for inappropriate advertising
• Safety concerns: Behavior that threatens member safety or well-being

Removal Process

1. Document the issue (if applicable)
2. Consider warnings first for minor issues
3. Go to the member's profile in the group
4. Click "Remove Member" (organizer-only feature)
5. Provide a reason (optional but recommended)
6. Confirm the removal

Member Appeals

• Contact organizer: Removed members can contact organizers to discuss the decision
• Reconsideration: Organizers can choose to reinstate members if appropriate
• Final decision: Organizer decisions are final for group management

Claiming Organizer Role

If a group has no active organizers, members can request to take over leadership:

When to Claim Organizer Role

• All current organizers have left the group
• Organizers are inactive for an extended period (typically 6+ months)
• Group needs new leadership to continue operating

Claim Process

1. Go to the group page
2. Look for "Claim Organizer Role" option (when available)
3. Submit your request with reasons why you'd be a good organizer
4. Wait for review team approval (if applicable) or automatic assignment