Group descriptions to copy

The most ignored box in a group

The description is the small text under a group's name, and most groups leave it empty. That is a waste, because it is the one place every new member looks at on the first day. A description answers the questions a newcomer is too shy to ask: what is this group for, who is in it, what should I not post here, and whom do I contact about a problem.

What to put in it

Keep to three or four short lines. Line one: the purpose ("Notices and help for residents of Green Park"). Line two: the main rule or two, in a few words ("No forwards. No advertisements."). Line three: practical facts that people ask again and again, such as the meeting day, the class timing or the committee's contact. Leave out anything private, such as full addresses or bank details, because descriptions are visible to every member, including ones added later.

Keep it current

An old description is worse than none: a class group that still shows last year's timetable confuses every new parent. Change it when the purpose, the timing or the admin changes, and tell the group in one line that you have done so. If the full rules are pinned in the chat, the description can simply say "Rules are in the pinned message."

Ready full-length rules are on the group rules pages, and first messages for newcomers on the welcome messages page.

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