Working Groups

Working groups are the 'action' part of the Forum. They take on projects, put on events, take positions on issues and in these and other ways affect our community. You can get familiar with what we mean by working groups by looking at the currently active working groups (see links in the column to the left).

Each working group is essentially independent and self-governing. It is not controlled by the Forum and in return it can not speak for or represent the Forum as a whole. You can see more about how working groups fit into the Forum by looking at About LCF.

If you would like to join an existing working group you will find contact information through the links to the left or just come to an LCF monthly meeting (see the Calendar).

If you would like to start a new working group:

• Get on the email list if you are not already.
• Familiarize yourself with the overview of the Forum (About LCF) and the guidelines that apply to working groups.
• Float the idea. Talk with friends. Suggest it at an LCF monthly meeting. Create it as a topic in the Potential Working Groups conference.
• Once you have decided to go for it, you will need to come up with a name and a statement of purpose (like those of existing working groups) and announce these at an LCF monthly meeting.
• Designate someone as a contact person and a person to represent your new group in the Liaison group.
• Work with the Hearth group to get your online conference and web site section set up and learn how to get the most out of this system.

If you are part of an ongoing working group:

• Remember that working groups are asked to report regularly on their progress to the rest of the Forum at the LCF monthly meetings.
• Groups are also asked to post their calendar information on this site, keep their web site section up-to-date, and moderate their online conference.

The Hearth group is available to help with every phase of this process. Contact someone you know is in the Hearth group or e-mail us.