Start a Group

If you don’t see an existing group that meets your needs, go ahead and create one of your own. Please note that only AORN members can create groups.

To start a group, click on the Groups tab in the main navigation and then click on Start Now from the Create a Group box on the right-hand side of the page.

Creating a group

On the Create a Group page, you'll enter all the details and configurations for your group.

Create group page

Group Info
Enter a Group Name, short Summary Description (that will appear in the group directory), and a Full Description that resides on the Group Profile page.

Group Type
Under this setting, can also choose the type of group you're creating (AORN members are able to create only Common Interest Groups or State Councils. More on group types here.)

If you're creating a Common Interest Group, you'll be asked to choose a CIG Type, which is a sub-category for your group.

Choosing a CIG Type

If you don't find a clinical sub-category for your group, choose General.

Uploading a Group Logo
You can upload an optional 80x80 pixel icon for your group. Learn more about that here.

Group logo upload

Group Access & Visibility
As group owner of a group you're creating, you have control over who can join your group and how much of its content is visible to non group members.

Group access and visibility.

Registration Approval controls approval of members who join. Auto Approval will automatically allow anyone who clicks on the Join This Group button to be added to the group, while Requires Approval allows you to accept or decline members' join requests manually.

Group Access controls who can see your group's content. If you choose Visible, non group members will be able to see (but not participate in) your group's activity. If you choose Hidden, you group's content will not be visible to anyone outside of the group.

Visibility controls whether or not your group is visible in the Group Directory. You can choose to have your group listing invisible to non group members, so no one but members knows it exists.

Allow Joins controls whether or not a Join This Group button appears on your group page.

You may choose to remove the button if you don't want anyone to be able to request to join the group.

Messaging Options controls who can send mass inbox messages and invitations to group members. By default, most groups are set to allow only group owners to send out direct inbox messages to all members. But there may be a case when you would like all group members to be able to direct message the entire group at once.

Messaging options

If you would like to allow all group members to be able to send mass inbox messages to everyone in your group, check the box next to "Group Members can send a message to the group".

If you change your mind later on and would like to remove the ability for all members to send messages, uncheck the box on the Owner Settings page.

Create This Group
Once you've made the changes to your group, be sure to click the Create This Group button at the bottom of the page to save your settings.

Your new group will now be created, added to your My Groups section, and you will be the Group Owner.

Adding Other Group Owners
After you've created your group and you would like to add additional group owners, click the Edit Owners Permissions button on the Owner Settings page.

Edit owner permissions

Please note that in order for someone to be assigned as a group owner, they must first join the group.

Clicking Edit Owners Permissions will bring up a list of group members.

Add members as group owners by clicking on the Add Owner Privileges link under their picture.

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