What are Google Groups and how can they be Configured?Some description and help resources to support users/subscribers in understanding the different kinds of G-groups, and to help Group Managers select how they want their G-group configured. |
A Google Group, or sometimes shortened here to “G-group”, is a subscription-based e-mail distribution or discussion list that is hosted using Google’s Google Group service.
As part of our Google Workspace license, DA can now create Google Groups under our own DemocratsAbroad domain name, with an address like: NewGoogleGroup@DemocratsAbroad.org
A G-group can be set up as one of the following types of e-mail group:
One-Way Announcement/Distribution Group
restricted so that only a few individuals are able to send out messages to the full group
messages are announcements or newsletters going out from the manager(s) to the group
any replies are set to go back to the original author, not to the full group
Group Discussion Forum
designed to encourage discussion and interaction between group members
all members of the list are able to respond to list messages – possibly with some rules or moderation
replies go to the Group address, not to the original message author
messages relating to a common topic are usually “threaded” or kept under the same subject line
Moderated Discussion Group
a variation of the Group Discussion Forum
messages to the full group are limited or “moderated” based on clear rules or guidelines that have been shared with the group in advance
the Group Manager can assign additional “Moderators” who can help with approving messages to the group
messages may be moderated to keep discussion “on-topic”, to prevent inadvertent replies, to handle Un-subscribe requests, and to prevent inflammatory, irrelevant, or offensive posts
new Group members may be moderated for their first few posts to help them understand the group guidelines and expected activity
Group Manager
the Manager is the person who is generally responsible for the overall setup and maintenance of the Google Group
the Manager will usually be the person who requested the setup and creation of the Group
the Manager can add members and remove members from the group
the Manager can set some members to be a Group Moderator
Group Moderators
Moderators can approve or deny the distribution of specifically moderated messages
Moderators are assigned by the Group Manager
Group Members
Members are participants in a Google Group and will receive messages sent to the Group address
Members can also view the Group discussion and the history of past messages on the web under: https://groups.google.com/my-groups
Members can change their message delivery status under: Group > My Membership Settings > Subscription:
“Each Email” – receive each e-mail sent to the group
“Digest” – receive a Daily Digest of all the messages sent during a single day
“Abridged” – receive Abridged Summary of messages sent during a single day
“No Email” – turn off the receipt of e-mail messages (No E-mail) – but they remain a member of the Group and can read messages on the Web
Or, they can “Leave Group” and fully Unsubscribe from the Group and be removed as a participant – If a member leaves the Group, they will no longer have access to new message postings and will need to be re-added by the Group Manager.