Online Support Groups

Lesson 1: Components of an Effective Group

Group Rules and Regulations

We all learn as we grow up that rules are needed to keep our society and communities functioning properly, and the same applies to online groups. Without some basic rules of etiquette, the group will become unable to function properly. Choosing the rules for your group will depend on what type of group you want to have. If you have a group about breastfeeding, you may want to discourage messages about formula. If your group is about losing weight, you don't want members to post their favorite fudge recipe that calls for a pound of sugar.

Some rules to consider:

• Language – offensive, hate, derogatory, sexually explicit, etc.
• Advertising – yes or no
• Off topic messages
• Email or membership status
• Activity level of members – are lurkers accepted?
• Political and Religious views – yes or no
• Complaints – how are they handled

The list of possible rules and regulations to consider can be extensive. You know that your group will need rules, so we will discuss this more thoroughly in Lesson 2.

Group rules and regulations are limits that are placed on the group as a whole so that it can do its job, offering the information, support, and understanding that the members joined to find.

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