Things you need to know about how NWR Facebook groups work

Provided you are a current member of NWR you can join as many of our NWR groups as you wish; you also need to have a Facebook account.

Do make sure you go through all your Facebook settings making them as private (or not) as you want – it’s up to you.  We recommend you do this from time to time to make sure they are up-to-date.

You can access all NWR’s groups and join in without having any Facebook friends.

To join the groups, you need to answer three questions – please make sure you do!

It is preferable for you to use your own name rather than a pseudonym/nickname.

It’s so much nicer for all of us if you use a thumbnail photo as it helps us to feel we know each other.

Once you’ve joined the groups you want, it is more interesting and fun for everyone if you get involved.  However, when you’re new to a group you may wish to watch what’s going on for a while before you jump in so that you get a feel for how the groups operate.

All new members to each group are introduced by name and group in a welcome post.  It helps us to connect with each other if lots of members join in the welcome and also if the new joiner acknowledges the welcome.

All the groups are monitored by a small group of volunteer NWR members who are administrators and moderators.  They keep a watching brief on all posts and comments making sure they comply with NWR’s Social Media Policy (SMP) which can be found on NWR’s website or by clicking here and NWR’s Code of Conduct.  Joining any NWR Facebook group implies knowledge and acceptance of these policies.

Please familiarise yourself with the rules governing each NWR group; these can be found below the group title and before the posts start.  Joining any NWR Facebook group implies knowledge and acceptance of these rules.

Thankfully, it is extremely rare for a post to have to be removed that doesn’t comply with NWR’s SMP, Code of Conduct and/or the group’s rules.  It is clear from reading the policy what constitutes a contravention.  The Admin team reserve the right to remove such posts immediately, although they will always endeavour to talk to the person who posted to explain the contravention and subsequent action.

It is important that you post and comment in line with the group’s description.

Please read posts carefully and also read previous comments before you make your comment(s).  To read all comments in chronological order, select “all comments” rather than “top comments” which is often the default.

Check that you’ve worded your post carefully so as to attract lots of comments, eg, have you asked a question or just made a statement?

Try to include photos either your own or downloaded from the internet as posts with photos attract many more views and comments.

If your post is very short, how about adding a background to make it stand out?

When replying to someone’s comment, make sure you select “reply” so that it’s clear what your reply relates to.

Please remember, ‘tagging’ only works for members in the group so there is no point in ‘tagging’ family members or other friends.

If you think a member of your group would enjoy our NWR Facebook groups, please suggest they ask to join rather than you inviting them.  There is a procedure for each request to ensure that only current members have access to our safe and private groups and occasionally this is forgotten and non-NWR friends and/or men have been invited.

Please remember that NWR’s Facebook admin team is made up of volunteers and occasionally you may have to be patient and wait a little while for a response from one of us.

Finally, please remember that the more of you that join in, the more interesting, informative and fun it is.