Audrey, I suspect the only thing that matters is whether you enjoy being in each group, and whether you are getting something positive out of it.  If all you do is read the groups' posts once in a while, that's fine.  If you contribute to them, even better.  They're free.  It's all good.

Audrey, I think you should enjoy yourself and the groups you are involved in.  I have a ton, but I also have a ton of interests.

Thanks, Brian and Ray.  I figured, I just tend to over do it sometimes!  Just want to do it right!  Thanks for stopping by!

I am in a few, but only a few - I haven't ventured out and explored for more yet:)

Audrey, I don't know how many is the right number, I've only been at this a month- joined alot of groups and having a great time.

Audrey- Yep....we do LOVE YOU in the e-PRO Group :)  Ok, my take on this....I know that a few Group Founders  go for numbers......they want people to join for the numbers so their groups are on the front page of the Groups (like Google).  that way people see and join....not even realizing that they will never truly be accepted in some of them unless they are part of the clique......should I put a disclaimer here, as this is pretty outspoken, and of course causes "issues" but it's my opinion!!!

That being said......I liked how you said about the Groups, how you picked LOL :)  Me, I like numbers also, but I want quality Posts, not just Posts for numbers......I want to see people in the Groups I moderate that read the other Posts, or at least read the Features in the Group.  People work hard on their Posts, and want to know they're read.  I also try to make sure that everyone has a fair chance.....not just my favorites (and you're one of them)....LOL see we do love you in our group :)

Hi Audrey - I join groups when I see that a good blog was posted in it.  My problem is I have subscribed to way too many people and can't keep up with their blogs.  I just can't hit that unsubscribe button.

Courtney, There are a bunch of fun ones. The best way for me to find them was to see where the people I enjoyed reading were posting then I would investigate the groups.  I found several I really enjoy from that experience.

Billie, it is intimidating.  I joined a bunch in the beginning, but have un-joined for one reason or another.  I think you find where you are comfortable and hang out for awhile.  While learning and exploring are probably the best way, I just find I go where I am comfortable.

Kathy, I am your "grasshopper", Thanks! :).  You are so funny, but as always have the best advise.  I did belong to several of the other groups, but when I figured out that I wasn't in the "clique"  not even for a comment on a thread once in my life - I just said "click".  I just figured you don't get comments until from certain rainers until you have passed a certain point level?  What do I know-  I am here for the fun, look - I found you!

Virginia, I am with you.  I get a bit overzealous in the "join" mode then I rethink if I am pertinent or not?  Then I might unclick!

Hi Audrey,  Do you know if there is supposed to be a limit of the number of groups we can join?

Audrey, I have joined too many groups, but they all sounded and looked so good.  What is your opinion?

I have joined a lot of groups and need to re-evaluate them.   I wish I could get an email when someone posts a new blog in a particular group.  At first I didn't understand groups at all...I thought they were like a message board with threads...

I don't utilize them as well as I should.  Plus when I first joined, a lot of members were "spamming" groups by posting their blog in every blessed group they belonged to, whether it was relevant or not.  I stopped going to the groups for that reason, and while I know that the AR gods have worked to fix the problem, I just didn't get back in the habit of checking groups.  I choose blogs to ready by the main blogs page and my subscriptions.

Audrey- From what I've seen, those cliques will never know all the good stuff they're missing.  Too bad for them and great for us :) :)   Anyway, I think you figured out this place pretty well, and just don't burn out please :)  You are going to enter the Positive Attitudes (and Inspiration) Group's Spring Contest aren't you ???

Oh, and I just read Karen's comments on Groups, and I can understand....but for those of us that run clean, fair Groups, I hate to see the Features not read :(   I do understand though....

Leslie, I don't think there is a limit.  I just know that when I first joined AR, I joined every group I could.  Then, I looked at the left side of my page and thought, " have I been there lately?" Now, that I have been here a couple of months, I think that I figured out that I post and read more groups than other?  I do read as many posts as possible. 

Vickie, I did the same thing, they all sounded so goooood.  I wanted to be in all of them, but found either I didn't ever post to some or didn't really get around to reading stuff in the posts?  I think we all find our balance?

Karen, I do read my subscriptions regularly.  I find the folks, like you, that I enjoy and am very interested in what they have to say.  BTW, I have a couple of Spring photos for you that I took today. 

Kathy, I agree, I like to read the features too.  But as we know there is some really great stuff out there and it all can't get featured.  I think Midori's Group the Bloggers Inspiration is a fun group too.

I've joined groups and I've unjoined groups - I don't thin of them as cliques at all (am I being naive?).  I join new groups for various reasons - an invite received, a contest I want to participate in, someone mentioned a group in their post...  And I unjoin if I find it's one I don't usually post to or read.  Botm line of all that rambling:  it's your choice, whaatever makes you comfortable.

Thanks Margaret.  You are right. I like to make fun of some of my obsessive traits. Either it is all or nothing. LOL .  When I looked at my groups, I was like hmmm, do you really fish every Thursday?  I don't think so.  I just made that up, but you get what I mean.  Thanks for stopping by!

I think I'm going to go through my groups and "declutter" them  - unjoin the ones that either don't function as they should or no longer apply to me.

I should take the time to make the most of the groups - I really need to discipline myself to look at them.  I really wish AR would send an alert when someone posts to a group you belong to.   

Audrey

I know this is going to sound strange but I wish there were more specific groups, I too joined based on location, and interests, but I have practiced for 25 years and would like to Talk land development, condo issues, water front conservation, Pending law changes, and tell some jokes, and I want more..Steve

Karen, I wonder if we could ask the powers that be at AR if they could do that?

Steve, that is interesting.  Those are would be really specific groups.  Maybe some of the members feel the same way?  You know, I joined the "second home " group because I have a second home, thought it would be about owning second homes and properties for sale.  However, I found that it was really only second homes for sale, not issues that pertained to second homeowners, so I unjoined.  Thanks for your comments.

If you don't like the group choices, you can start you own.  That will be 3401 groups to pick from  Of course, when you start a group only you will be in it for at least a while.

Robert, I didnt mean that I don't like the groups, I meant there are too many choices and that I have joined too many.  I wondered if it the moderators liked the number of members or the number of posts?  I don't think I should start a group, I already talk too much too myself!  LOL.

Audrey,

I too have joined many groups and been invited to groups as well. I am finding that there are some that I seem to post to more than others,some I like more than others, and I am sure that I am missing a few that would be good.

Not sure the answer here except of course not to worry about how much or little you contribute to them. Do as you feel appropriate I think.  Some groups are more tight knit and active than others.  I think the purpose in all is to enjoy. 

Thanks for the post Audrey, being a Newbie I wondered the same thing. Thus far I have limited myself but I'm sure I'll venture out further.

Rebecca, I think you are right.  I do have fun with most, I just worry that if I don't post I might be considered dead weight!

Bob, I think you can belong to as many as you want.   When I joined I just kept joining one after the other and then found I didn't really post to many of them?  I quit some and really love others.  I just wanted to know if being a member and not posting to the group was a bad thing?   I don't think it really matters?  Welcome to AR, you will learn so much and will love it. 

Good question!  I wondered what was the "drathers" also.  I'll monitor the replied to be enlightened.

Audrey - Glad to hear you've also found ActiveRain so addictive. At least it's not just me.

Stewart, I have issues - that is a fact - but I cannot believe how addicting this blogging/ social network business is?  It has been a lot of fun and I have met some really wonderful people.  I am glad to be here and glad you are here as well.  I look forward to getting to know you in the future!

Hi Audrey,

I think it's great to belong to various groups.  I see it like this...the more you know, the more you grow!!  What better way to do this than get ideas from diff groups.  I meet new folks that way as well.  Thanks for this great post & enjoy your day!

Hi Audrey,

I think it's great to belong to various groups.  I see it like this...the more you know, the more you grow!!  What better way to do this than get ideas from diff groups.  I meet new folks that way as well.  Thanks for this great post & enjoy your day!

Yvette, I agree.  I just find that I seem to post to the same groups over and over again.  Maybe I need to expand my horizons?  Glad you stopped by.

Audrey, the groups are there to find common interests and build associations. No requirements to join any certain number.

I say the more the merrier, if you enjoy a topic why no join and talk about it?

I just joined all the groups I could find that seemed relevant to my own interests. then, I created a group of my own. You can create any group you want, if you don't find one specific enough to a certain category, then cosider starting your own, and then you can invite members to join you.

Steve, I belong to several groups but find that I seem to post to the same groups over and over again, that's all.

Cindy, I agree we should talk about everything.  I am not sure if I have enough in me to post to all of the different groups?

Kevin, I think all the groups I might be interested in are covered.  I think it is great to be able to create your own group.