So You Wanna Be A Part Of That Facebook Group?

In the past 2 months I've experienced some drama in groups on Facebook. As an administrator of a pretty successful yard sale group, I understand "what it takes" to run one so I've wondered why there are other groups out there that make it so difficult to be a part of or even join them.

I'm part of a mommy group where like-minded women come together to discuss many things, usually of an organic nature. Not always though, as there was one mom who posted a picture of her babies balls. It got reported by one of the members and it caused QUITE the uproar within the group.  I'd like to quote what someone said to one of the admins because it makes sense to me.

"Whomever reported the photo, they obviously didn't feel safe to talk to an admin or the person first. That is sad to me. I do think that posting photos of genitalia is NOT ok, even in a private forum-theres no such thing as internet privacy (even banks get hacked and they have more security than Facebook). Had a report been made to police, we all could have been in trouble, with who knows the consequences or investigation, ya know? I realize the mom needed help for her little guy but I think describing the issue would have been better. It's sad to me that everyone was criticizing the photo being flagged and removed. Shouldn't it be okay that someone was clearly uncomfortable with it for whatever the reason? Instead of the group coming together and being adults about it, it turned into a drama fest with rude remarks, anger and contention" 

I'd also like to make the point that what if it made someone really uncomfortable because they don't like pictures of baby balls for whatever reason?  

I added the bold letters. Because that's my point of this blog. Facebook groups trying to gain/have privacy is a joke to me. No such thing. ****update: I've been deleted from this group!****

So. Another group I am a part of, which I really like but am really frustrated with? It's a charter group of a larger organization whose purpose is to provide support for... "cesarean awareness, birth advocacy and avoiding unnecessary interventions."

I got a "shout-out" on the group page to check my other box on Facebook for a message. That message told me to fill out a survey or I was going to be deleted from the group. I fought about it. Because WHAT? I was mad. Boo. Still kind of mad. So then I got a private message from an admin explaining why I HAD to fill out the survey. Don't tell them though, they haven't deleted me yet although I have been very adequately warned that it would happen. GRRR

THEN! Ugh. Are you tired of this yet? Cause I am. I have been trying to join this dang wives of Italy Facebook group. Ha. It's not called that. It's some wives of the army people in Italy something group. I can't join that group either until I freaking send them a copy of David's orders. Are you effing kidding me? I mean, clearly I want to be a part of this random Army wives group of Italy so I can steal personal information from the people therein. I mean, I had already given this admin his order date, his incoming unit and whatever else. The thing is, I'm not even sure SHE is legit. I mean, there's no grammar in her messages. I think she might be a robot. 

I'm going to start my own dang Army Wives of the Army Guys That Live In Italy. And it's going to be open to all people. Bleh. I'm just pissed because all I want is information. And support! I have no idea what the crap I'm doing and i can't even get army wives to help me. So mad.

 Therefore I decided it's about freakin' time someone talked about the REAL deal behind joining a facebook group. It's not as easy as it seems. I'll outline the 5 easy
steps you have to take in order to join those "Closed" Facebook groups

1) Provide your name. This is pretty easy since your name shows up when you ask to join.
2) Provide your date of birth. This is necessary since they may need to know if you are in the right age group for the topic at hand. For example, let's say you want to join a group of middle-aged chess players in the Seattle area. Well, you can't be 80 and be middle aged. Duh. It's a matter of filtering.

This is when it starts to get tricky.

3) You'll need to provide your social security number. For obvious reasons.
4) Offer up your first born child as collateral. Just in case. There may be exceptions. Second-born children are also an option if the first child is difficult.
5) Provide a blood sample. You'll have to go to the nearest laboratory and have a sample taken and then sent to your prospective groups administrator. This is to ensure privacy and safety of all the other members.

And that's all! That's all it takes. No big deal right? Good luck and let me know if you need any help with that stuff. As an admin, I can't help you.