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Groups Frequently Asked Questions

If you would like to create an Internet group for your unit's Family Support group
please contact email Dave or call (253) 512-8903

  1. What are "groups"?
  2. How do I set up a group?
  3. Why is a group better than a website?
  4. Why can't I just use the Family Support website?
  5. Are they any things I cannot, or should not do on my group website?
  6. What's my first step?

►  What are "groups"? 

The term Internet "group" refers to type of free website that's easy and fun to create; no experience necessary... really!  They're available through most of the big Internet service providers such as AOL and MSN, and many of the search engine portals such as Google and Yahoo.   

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►  How do I set up a group?

  1. Setting up a group literally takes only minutes.  You begin by going to one of the websites that hosts groups - we recommend MSN, Yahoo and Google as starting points.  You'll have to subscribe or join by providing your e-mail address and some other information...  you will need an e-mail address, and you will receive e-mail from the companies that sponsor the site providing your group.
  2. Next you will enter some information about your group, such as a name, the purpose of the group, and contact information for yourself.  Each member of your group will have to complete these same two steps, since the site is password protected and only persons that you authorize are allowed to view it.  This process is free to all, and you should receive your authorization in just a few minutes.
  3. Then some sites allow you to make some selections about how your group will look, and which services it will offer to subscribers.  Some allow you to choose from a selection of features, whereas some simply include all of their services on all groups.  Most sites offer an initial page, a message boards where you can post news items, a calendar of events for your group, and a photo album where you and your members can upload photos.  Some offer a selection of templates for pages, with different colors, layouts and fonts.
  4. For most sites that's all there is to it.  Now you can start uploading your content (digital photos, newsletters, etc), filling in your calendar, and completing the other features.  You're ready for visitors in just minutes!  You inform the members of your group that the site is up and running by sending them an e-mail.  Most sites provide this service for you, and will automatically send an e-mail with all the details of how to find and join your site to a list of e-mail addresses you provide.   

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►  What is a group better than a website?

  1. Groups are free.  The price of a websites starts at about $75 per year
  2. Groups require absolutely no computer skill to set up and maintain.  If you can surf the web, you can build your own group.
  3. Groups provide sophisticated services such as chat rooms and message boards without having to write complicated code or learn how to manage a webserver.
  4. Groups are protected by passwords and usernames, and all members must be approved by the author (or owner) of the group.   

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►  What can't I just use the Family Support website?

  1. The Washington National Guard Family Support website is a great place to post newsletters published by battalion headquarters and higher.  However, with more than 30 companies deployed as a result of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, the amount of maintenance to support all that would quickly overwhelm our small (and very busy) staff.  When Guardsmen or their family members create an Internet group, we can simply create a link to it - provided they adhere to certain basic restrictions.
  2. Access to our website is not controlled, which means that we have to keep a close eye on the information that we post.  Groups allows a bit more flexibility with what is posted.
  3. All of the subscribers to a group may post messages, photos, etc.  This allows rapid posting of new content.  Items due to be posted to our website are prioritized along with the rest of our workload.   

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► Are they any things I cannot, or should not do on my group website? 

There are some restrictions you will need to observe.  Most of these obvious common sense, while others are really intended to protect the Operations Security (OPSEC) of our forces.  Keep in mind that anyone in the world can access a site on the Internet, so the Department of Defense has imposed restrictions on websites that are not applied to, for example, printed material.

The following must NOT be posted to Internet groups:

  • Political statements or statements critical of the US government
  • Objectionable material or language
  • Information that is protected by Operations Security (OPSEC), such as specific unit missions, locations, equipment shortages, problems or difficulties the unit may be having in the field, changes of mission, unit movements, scheduled training, and similar information
  • Names, addresses or phone numbers of family members, other than those directly related to the Family Support group
  • Lists of unit members    

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► What's my first step?

If you would like to proceed with such a group on your own, please contact Dave by e-mail or call (253) 512-8903.  Forward the address of your group to me so I can add it to our "Groups" page.

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