[Stephan Whelan]

OK folks - i'm really surprised to see such a debate going on.

I offer a facility where clubs/groups can have a hosted forum on here. An assigned Moderator(s) are given moderation functions in that forum and they are free to run it pretty much how they want. This has worked well for SaltFree and Altasub so far.

I don't mind if groups want to join in or not. The idea is giving them an established forum system that is maintained by us and tap into the wider DB forum group of 12000+ members. I'm not even adverse to having groups be private if they want to (most members wouldn't even know it's there as it doesn't show up for them). There are a number of private forums here on the site that most members don't see (for a variety of small groups that want to keep there discussions in private).

I really don't see this as a huge debate as, from my perspective, i'm just trying to provide a good, free service to help other groups out and it is up to that group to decide how they engage with the community and if they want to be public or private.