# Mailing Lists

Mailing lists are a popular tool for community collaboration among developers, and for facilitating public and private governance discussions and email-based voting.

**What is Groups.io?**

[Groups.io](https://groups.io) is a platform for managing email lists, providing public and private discussions, voting, and archiving features.

**Key Features:**

* Supports both public and private lists
* A web-based archive of past email threads (topics) for easy reference
* Convenient option to host lists on groups.linuxfoundation.org for projects in the formation stage
* Customized, white-labeled list domain for established projects
* Integration with existing projects and customization options
* A popular choice for community collaboration and governance

### Adding a Mailing List

#### Prerequisites

* You must have access to PCC and privileges to manage the mailing lists.
* Active project setup within the PCC environment.

To add a mailing list, follow these steps:

1. Click **Collaboration > Mailing Lists** from the left navigation on the main dashboard.

   This will redirect you to the mailing list management page.
2. Click on the **Add Mailing List** button to add a new mailing list.

<figure><img src="https://3411187760-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M2DCN9UgoRgMEkgnLyP-887967055%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-152a3e6eaa6a1ee963ba7ae01acd38e9153f42c6%2Fimage.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://3411187760-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M2DCN9UgoRgMEkgnLyP-887967055%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-98dc9a31230ba4bb16a076b7fccedddc13b949eb%2F2024-11-15_18h35_36.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
If your project doesn't currently have a groups.io mailing list, then you need to configure them.
{% endhint %}

3. Upon clicking **Add Mailing List,** you will encounter the following options to configure your mailing list:
   1. **Use Existing PCC-Connected Groups.io Domain:**
      * This option is available if there is an available Groups.io domain connected to your PCC project, such as your project's foundation groups.io domain.
        * **Action**: If your project wants to use the foundation lists domain, use this option.
   2. **Set up a New Groups.io Domain:**
      * Choose this if you wish to establish a new Groups.io domain specifically for your project. This will use your project's defined primary domain for your mailing lists.
      * **Action**: Select "I would like to set up my own Groups.io email domain for this project."
   3. **(Advanced) Set up Existing Groups.io Domain:**
      * This is for advanced users who need to configure an existing Groups.io domain that is not yet connected to PCC.
        * **Action**: Contact support for assistance with this setup.

<figure><img src="https://3411187760-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M2DCN9UgoRgMEkgnLyP-887967055%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f419948f6a6edc17f52c9be28832ff58157a5614%2F2024-11-15_18h50_25.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. **Detailed Configuration of the Mailing List**

   The PCC will automatically create a <main@lists.primarydomain.org> with Public, Announcement permissions. You will need to define any additional sub-lists you want during this creation flow. You must create at least one sub-list.

**Enter List Name and Description**

* **List Name**: Assign a unique name for the mailing list. For example, if you want to create a TSC mailing list "<tsc@lists.yourproject.org>", enter "tsc".
* **Description**: Provide a detailed description of the mailing list’s purpose and intended use.

**Select Permissions**

* Choose from the dropdown menu the type of permission setting for the mailing list:

  * **Announcement**: Only selected members can post, suitable for newsletters or announcements.
  * **Moderated Discussion**: Posts by members are moderated before being published.
  * **Open Discussion**: All members can post without prior moderation, promoting free-flow discussions.

  This table shows the posting and subscribing permissions for each selection:

| Permission Type Selection | Posting Permissions                                                                         | Subscribing Restrictions | Notes / Details                                                                                                                                                      |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Moderated Discussion**  | **New members cannot post** to the list without their emails being approved by a moderator. | **Unrestricted**         | For new lists, this uses a Groups.io setting that will only moderate users for their first 3 posts.                                                                  |
| **Open Discussion**       | **New members can immediately post** to the list.                                           | **Restricted**           | Since new members can post immediately, subscribing is restricted in order to prevent spam. Moderators will need to add members manually or approve new subscribers. |
| **Announcement**          | **Only moderators can post** to the list.                                                   | **Unrestricted**         | Since only moderators can post, there are no restrictions on who can subscribe.                                                                                      |

{% hint style="info" %}
You can also have "Custom" which means the settings have been modified in the groups.io UI, and doesn't match our defaults.
{% endhint %}

**Set Privacy**

* Check the “Private” box if the list should be private. This ensures that only invited members can view and participate. Note: Once set as private, the list cannot be made public later.

***

<figure><img src="https://3411187760-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M2DCN9UgoRgMEkgnLyP-887967055%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c225750886f37d67622bf1fe22faef9b46513943%2F2024-11-15_18h54_42.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. **Final Steps and Saving the Configuration**

* After configuring all settings, review them to ensure they align with the project’s communication needs.
* Click “Save” to finalize the creation of the mailing list.

{% hint style="info" %}
After a brand new main mailing list has been created, you will see it displayed without the primary domain, "<projectname@groups.io>". This is temporary until the lists can be converted to the LF enterprise plan, and until the DNS has finished propagating. Please check back after 24 hours.
{% endhint %}

***

## [Managing Members in the mailing list](https://app.guidde.com/playbooks/kqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK)

{% embed url="<https://app.guidde.com/share/playbooks/kqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK>" %}

Managing members in a mailing list can be a straightforward process when you know the right actions to take.

{% hint style="info" %}
Users integrated into Groups.io through bulk imports, manual additions, or individual subscriptions will be synchronized with the mailing list management page in PCC. Allow 15–20 minutes after making a membership change in Groups.io for the updated member list to appear in PCC.
{% endhint %}

#### 1. Introduction

Following the outlined instructions, you can effectively add and organize members, ensuring your communication channels remain effective and up-to-date.

![Introduction](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2F1U7gSe5XdMwB1BSHFBkeUR_doc.png?alt=media\&token=e51e9317-cefc-4181-b135-889070e308a9)

#### 2. Click here

Initiate the process by accessing the designated area

![Click here](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2F9X27EsJfh2BHQQs1u9ivb7_doc.png?alt=media\&token=30e8f5d1-8907-4ea2-8992-4fd164352cea)

#### 3. Click "Manage Members"

Navigate to the member management section to proceed

![Click 'Manage Members'](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2FtRqu3iBbupa6aiTuwyGGdA_doc.png?alt=media\&token=9c1042f5-ddeb-44b5-93ac-eaba80f1e06e)

#### 4. Select the member type

From the drop-down, select if you want to add a committee member or a direct member.

![Select the member type](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2FfiF2ojp5Wz97AiqHbHwUqG_doc.png?alt=media\&token=3258c0b7-9a3d-4494-a545-8b766bd84a91)

#### 5. Click Direct

Search and add a new member

![Click Direct](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2F2h5rps7W8HECFjWHM1Hes2_doc.png?alt=media\&token=bc685871-d252-4ecc-bf24-3185c526f6f3)

#### 6. Click "Add Member"

Begin the addition of a new member to your list

![Click 'Add Member'](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2F5hFJtXY4WBeZx6CFNMJjK6_doc.png?alt=media\&token=e1902d0a-8646-4737-8cd9-eadace854f4c)

#### 7. Click "Search user"

Utilize the search feature to find the specific user

![Click 'Search user'](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2F5g5jTyzAFAFwzL7L2DFGDs_doc.png?alt=media\&token=88adb555-f6ec-4772-bd6e-e517d8c5013b)

#### 8. Click and select the desired member from the search option

Select the desired user from the search results

![Click and select the desired member from the search option](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2FhGoy8MTgNhxhDitdDc5e4L_doc.png?alt=media\&token=500e9f0d-6c93-4263-8dbf-297a65b7ea5a)

#### 9. Click "Add Member"

Confirm the addition of the selected individual

![Click 'Add Member'](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2FwkPXa7ZeRK6CsKAWPUZGYm_doc.png?alt=media\&token=917ebc34-934a-4cdf-b10d-c1c5a86ada2a)

#### 10. Click here

Proceed further to manage additional memberships

![Click here](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2Fp8hYfo5syPzd1dHxK5e416_doc.png?alt=media\&token=ca17e2e1-83ee-4d7c-a5bc-993e07174934)

#### 11. Click "Committee"

Access the committee section for more options

![Click 'Committee'](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2FkdHrzfjaHDSAqb3WxZDUwQ_doc.png?alt=media\&token=cf780de1-c3cc-4bb7-850c-ba47a49fb3e7)

#### 12. Click "Add Member"

Initiate the process to include another member

![Click 'Add Member'](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2F1FtSeRgVNscZ5HFjAFoHvv_doc.png?alt=media\&token=1361088c-b606-44ec-bb7a-af85d33178e3)

#### 13. Type the committee member name

Enter "veeren" in the provided field

![Type the committee member name](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2FsjASdCBAAVM1JgFe2jvMhW_doc.png?alt=media\&token=5a5b6872-b2ad-4590-9555-357b7b5c0220)

#### 14. Select the member from the list

Choose the second user from the list provided

![select the member from the list](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2Fsc4EKtzizW6dZHWqgKzZA1_doc.png?alt=media\&token=1f437f9e-7f5a-4525-98c6-211b37eb67e3)

#### 15. Click here

Move ahead to finalize the membership process

![Click here](https://static.guidde.com/v0/qg%2FZOdjqrRdHFXrMGWY7ZVSBTHCZWg1%2FkqtXrhh43161qLujMWreWK%2F5CnteyAa3HVUoLMqNUDhLL_doc.png?alt=media\&token=ae3905b8-8cce-45e9-93e7-2cb850a14001)
