Find a Group:
You can find existing groups in one of three ways:
-- Click the GROUPS link on the blue navigation bar at the top of my.nctimes.com
-- On your MY STUFF page, click "find more groups" under the groups header
-- On the COMMUNITY page, click "see more" under the groups header
This will take you to an alphabetical listing of all the groups. You can also access group's pages by clicking the group's icon on another user's profile page.

Join a Group:
From the master list of groups, you can click "join a group." A page will ask you to confirm membership in that group, and will show options of other groups you can join. Click "yes" at the bottom of the page to confirm your membership.

Leave a Group:
If you wish to leave a group you have joined, on your MY STUFF page click "manage membership" under the groups header. A screen will display all the groups you belong to. Check the "leave this group" box next to any groups you want to leave and click the "save" button at the bottom.

Create a Group:
You can find the link to create a new group in three places:
-- On your MY STUFF page, click "create new" in the "my groups" block on the left side
-- On the COMMUNITY page, click "start a group" next to the groups header
A new window will open where you can customize the group's name, image and description. To upload an image to represent the group, click "update image" below the blue box, select "choose from local file" and click "next," then "browse" for the image and click "upload file" and "save." Click "save" on the main creation page to continue and select group access settings, then click "continue."

Manage a Group:
To manage a group you have created, click on the group's icon under "my groups" on your MY STUFF page. This will bring up a management page where you can edit a group's information and settings, manage content and members, send invitations to join the group and more.
Remember, if you click on the group's icon under the groups header on your page, you will be taken to the group's main page and not the management page.

Contribute to a Group:
You can comment, post a story or post photos/videos on a group's page. Group members and non-members can leave comments on a group's page, but only members are allowed to post stories and upload photos.
-- To comment, click "leave a comment" on a group's page. Remember, the group's owner may have set comments to be approved before appearing.
-- To post a story, click "post a story" on the group's page. Use the form to post your content, which can be links to other stories or blog-like posts or discussion topics for others to comment on. Remember, the group's owner may have set posted stories to be approved before appearing.
-- To upload a photo or video, follow the upload links at the bottom of a group's page.
Please remember, all group interaction is subject to the NCTimes.com web comment policy.

Additional Group Rules:
While group interaction is subject to the NCTimes.com web comment policy, there are a few additional rules for groups. Violations include but are not limited to groups that are created to promote a business, attack an individual, incite violence, violate laws and contain graphic or overtly offensive material. Submitted content should not violate copyright laws, or it will be removed without warning.