What are DU Groups?

[Skinner]

DU Groups are a special type of discussion forum. DU Groups are forum topics suggested by the DU Members themselves. DU Groups are different from regular forums in the following ways:

1. DU Groups are forum topics suggested by groups of DU Members. (To learn how to start your own DU Group, please read the topic called "How to suggest a DU Group.")

2. Each DU Group has a specific mission statement, which has been submitted to and approved by the administrators of Democratic Underground. Administrators reserve the right to withhold approval from any group idea suggested.

3. In order to post in a DU Group, a member must agree with that group's mission statement. Off-topic postings that violate the mission statement of a DU Group are not permitted. Members who disagree with the mission statement of a particular group may be blocked from posting in that group.

4. Only members with a DU Donor star next to their username may post messages in the DU Groups. Non-donors and non-registered lurkers are permitted to read DU Groups, but they are blocked from posting in them.

5. Currently, thread topics started in any of the DU Groups will not appear on the Latest Page. In the future, we may give members the option to show them on the Latest Page, provided that it does not put undue stress on our web server.

6. Please be aware that no members "own" or "run" any particular group, nor do members have the ability to decide who participates in any given group. The regular DU rules apply to postings in the DU Groups. If a DU Group becomes disruptive to the rest of the message board, the Administrators reserve the right to shut it down.

7. The Administrators will occasionally delete DU Groups that do not attract significant traffic or postings. If a particular DU Group is in danger of being deleted, the Administrators will post a warning in that Group at least 24 hours before it is removed.

We hope that these DU Groups will return some of that "small community feeling" that has been lost on DU during the last few years of rapid growth.

Enjoy!

Skinner
EarlG
Elad

The Administrators of Democratic Underground