Groups are specialized communities within The Convergence Lens where members with shared interests can connect, discuss, and collaborate.
How Groups Differ from Forums
Forums:
- Topic-based discussions
- Open to all members (except tier-based forums)
- Broad subjects (politics, media, culture)
- More formal structure
- Public within member tiers
Groups:
- Interest-based communities
- Join specific groups you’re interested in
- Niche focus (book clubs, specific fandoms, hobbies)
- Casual, club-like atmosphere
- Can be public, private, or hidden
Types of Groups
Public Groups:
- Visible to all members
- Anyone can join
- Content visible to all group members
- Examples: Activism & Organizing, Supernatural Fans
Private Groups:
- Visible to all members
- Request to join required
- Content only visible to members
- Examples: LGBTQ+ Safe Space, Writer’s Workshop
Hidden Groups:
- Not listed in group directory
- Invitation-only
- Content only visible to members
- Examples: Moderator Team, special projects
Group Features
Each group includes:
- Group Forum – Discussion boards specific to group topics
- Member List – See who else is in the group
- Group Activity Feed – Recent posts and updates
- Events – Group-specific gatherings and activities
- Files & Resources – Shared documents and links
Team-Led Groups at TCL
Each member tier has its own group, and we also have created the following groups for you:
- Activism & Organizing – Real-world organizing strategies
- Supernatural Fans – All things SPN
- World of Ice & Fire – For ASOIAF/GOT/HOTD fans.
- Artist Collective – Visual artists and creators
- Writers Workshop – Fiction and creative writing
- Filmmaker’s Club – For directors, actors, producers, writers, etc
- Podcast Discussion – Discuss TCL podcast episodes
- LGBTQ+ Alliance – For all who identify as part of the community
- BIPOC Community – For BIPOC community members to connect
Benefits of Joining Groups
- Find Your People – Connect with members who share your specific interests
- Casual Discussions – More casual conversations in the feed than structured forums
- Build Relationships – Smaller communities foster stronger connections
- Collaborative Projects – Work together on group initiatives
- Exclusive Content – Groups often share resources and recommendations
- Event Access – Participate in group-specific activities
Group Leadership
Most groups have:
- Group Admin – Created the group, manages settings
- Moderators – Help manage discussions and membership
- Members – Everyone else who’s joined
Group Guidelines
All groups must:
- Follow TCL Community Guidelines
- Follow all additional group-specific rules (set by group admin)
- Respect all members
- Stay on-topic for group focus
Group Activity
Groups vary in activity level:
- Some groups are very active (daily posts)
- Some groups are slower (weekly discussions)
- Some groups are event-based (monthly meetups)
- Join groups that match your engagement style
Finding Groups
Browse all available groups:
- Click “Groups” in main navigation
- View group directory
- Search by keywords
Next Steps
- Browse Groups – See what interests you
- How to Join Groups – Learn the process for joining
- How to Create Groups – Start your own community group
