# Using Discourse Groups for Working Groups

**URL:** <https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/using-discourse-groups-for-working-groups/192>\
**Category:** Site Feedback\
**Created:** [24 November 2022 09:50 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/using-discourse-groups-for-working-groups/192 "2022-11-24T09:50:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\
**Post date:** [24 November 2022 09:50 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/using-discourse-groups-for-working-groups/192/1 "2022-11-24T09:50:12Z")

</div>

We could utilise groups for working groups. It has the ability to message all group members which might be useful functionality

> **[Allow groups to be mentioned and sent messages](https://meta.discourse.org/t/allow-groups-to-be-mentioned-and-sent-messages/36228)**
>
> Out-of-the-box nobody can send messages to groups or trigger mention notifications. To change this, you can go to the Manage tab of a group’s page and select the “Interaction” section from the left navigation sidebar. Find the settings labeled...

It is possible to make other groups for institutional affiliation, but that seems exclusionary rather than inclusive and not sure there would be much point.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![clairecarouge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/clairecarouge/32/380_2.png) [@clairecarouge](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/clairecarouge)\
**Post date:** [18 January 2023 23:31 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/using-discourse-groups-for-working-groups/192/2 "2023-01-18T23:31:18Z")

</div>

Yes, I like the idea of an option that allows messaging the whole group. Using a post as a mailing list can work but people need to discover the post first before being able to watch it so there could be a delay before they get the information.

Do you know whether people get an email about the message? The user preferences have an option for “Email me when I am sent a **personal** message” or for email on mentions and watch topics etc. So it does not seem to cover a message sent to a group.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\
**Post date:** [19 January 2023 00:04 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/using-discourse-groups-for-working-groups/192/3 "2023-01-19T00:04:04Z")

</div>

> [@clairecarouge](#):
>
> Do you know whether people get an email about the message?

I do not. Might have to do some testing.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\
**Post date:** [19 January 2023 05:49 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/using-discourse-groups-for-working-groups/192/4 "2023-01-19T05:49:24Z")

</div>

Some other reasons for using groups:

- advertise to others users what you’re interests are
- allows groups to identify who are part of their community, just by visiting the group page
- private communication to group members when public posting isn’t desirable, e.g. advertising a VC link securely