ICE User Groups FAQ

• What are the user groups?

  The ICE User Groups are sets of users from the same offices at each of our schools. The groups convene in-person, by phone, or electronically, to compare business practices, challenges, problems, and successes. The User Groups are ICE's primary tool for assessing and implementing best practices, and in getting feedback for system and training needs.
  

• Who can be in a user group?

  Anyone at ICE's member schools can be in any ICE user group. The current groups are primarily for users of ICE's two main information systems, Datatel and The Raiser's Edge.
  

• How do I join a user group?

  ICE's groups are 'private', meaning that you have to be invited to participate. If you want to be invited to a group, simply email the ICE User Group Administrator at ice_groups_coordinator@iceschools.org. The Administrator will then email you an invitation to join the group. This message will include a link to the Convos web site. If you do not yet have a login to this site, you must sign up for one first. Once you have a login created, login to the Convos site. Then click on Connections to view your invitation to join the group. Click 'Accept' and you.re in the group!
  

• How do the user groups exchange information?

  ICE groups use an online group environment called 'Convos', which allows users to email the entire group or individual members. Each group site on Convos also contains a space to share files and a shared Events Schedule. In addition, each group meets in-person at ICE 3 times a year (generally a spring, summer, and fall meeting). Other in-person meetings, online meetings, conference calls, etc. may also be planned by the group coordinator.
  

• How do I communicate with the group?

  1. To send email to the group, you must first be a member of the group. If you are not a member, you can either:
     • Ask to join the group (email ice_groups_coordinator@iceschools.org)
     • Send your request to a member of the group (or to ice_groups_coordinator)
  2. Members of the group can send an email to the group email address. Everyone in the group will receive the email, and be able to reply to you or to the group. The message will be saved and accessible on the group's web site.
  3. Member's of the group can login to the groupr's web site and send a message from there. Everyone in the group will receive the email, and be able to reply to you or to the group.
  
  

• How do I find out who is in my group?

  Each group has a 'Member Directory' that shows the contact info for each member in the group
  

• How do I remove myself from a group?

  1. Login to Convos (You will be in the 'My Convos' view). Then select the group.
  2. Click on the 'My Prefs' link.
  3. Click the 'Leave Group' button.
  
  

• Is there a limit to the number of groups in which I am a member?

  You can be a member of up to 4 groups for free. For $4 a month you can upgrade to a 'Light' membership and join any number of groups you want. ICE has also created a login for each school that is already a member of all of ICE's user groups. This allows your IT staff to monitor activity in all of the user groups
  

• Who is in charge of the usergroups?

  ICE handles requests to join groups. The rest of the group activities are handled by the individual group coordinator.
  

• What does the group coordinator do?

  Responsibilities of the group coordinator include:

  • Posting files and events on the group.s Convos site
  • Coordinating meeting times
  • Working to gather agenda items from group members
  • Providing agenda to ICE and to members prior to meetings (3 weeks preferred)
  • Requesting any needs for the meeting from ICE (computers, refreshments, etc).
  • Conducting the meeting
  • Posting notes/minutes on the group's Convos site