I’m starting a new group, or I lead a group that isn’t registered with Apple. How do I create a new record in the database on your website?

Please register by sending us the required information.

1.	Click on Register a New Group.
2.	Fill out the Group Profile and submit.
3.	Fill out the Contact Profile and submit.
4.	Wait patiently. New group approvals sometimes take a few weeks.

For more information, see our section about starting a user group.

I put my group information in the database, but it still doesn’t show up in the locator. Why not?
Your group has not yet been approved. Be patient, it takes time. All new groups must be reviewed and approved before we’ll point our customers to them via the online locator. If you provided an email address in your database record, you will be contacted regarding the status of your group.

I keep putting my group information into the database over and over again, but it never shows up in the locator. What’s going on?
It could be a couple of things. Perhaps the group doesn’t meet minimum requirements, but you didn’t provide an email address so that we could contact you about it. You must provide an email address if you want to be updated on the status of your group.

If you create multiple records while you wait, we won’t know which one is the most accurate, so we’ll have to guess. Please resist the urge to create new records for the same group over and over again. The information is there. We will see it. Please email us at usergroups@apple.com if you have questions after a reasonable amount of time.

So, once approved, are we an official Apple User Group?
No, you are a recognized Apple User Group. There is no such thing as an “official Apple User Group.” Apple user groups are independent organizations not authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple. We recognize your value, encourage your efforts, and look forward to working with you.

What are the minimum requirements for new groups?
To be approved as a public user group, you need:

	Three leader contacts in the database
	A generic group email address
	A group website
	A history of successful meetings

To be approved as an online-only group, you need:

	100 members on your listserv and/or web discussion board
	A digest version of your listserv
	A method for Apple to view postings
	Three leader contacts in the database
	A generic group email address
	A group website

Private groups are approved on a case-by-case basis.

What’s the difference between public and private groups?
Public groups show up on the online locator when customers search for groups. Private groups are meant for specific communities and therefore do not show up in the locator.

Public group types:

	Community
	College
	Pro Video
	Online-only

Private group types:

	K-12
	Corporate
	Federal, State and Local Government

What’s an Apple Ambassador?
It’s a role assigned to one individual from each user group in the Apple database. This person is considered Apple’s primary contact for that group.

How do I become my group’s Apple Ambassador?
You must be assigned this role in the Apple user group database by the leaders of your user group. Contact them if you are interested

I’m a group leader and have no idea whom our ambassador is. How do I find out?
You need to access your database record and look at your group’s contact list to see who has been assigned the Apple Ambassador role. If you don’t know how to access your database record, you need to request your group’s name and password by emailing usergroups@apple.com.

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How do I update my existing group information on your website?

1.	Go to the locator database admin page.
2.	Log in with your name and password.
3.	Make the changes to your record and submit.
4.	Wait patiently. Content approvals sometimes take up to two weeks.

1.

Send email to ugwebmaster@webassociates.com with the following information: Your name Your group’s full name (no acronyms) Your group’s city and state Your affiliation with the group (member, president, editor, janitor, ambassador, etc.) A brief note explaining why you need the name and password (you lost it, you’re the new president and never had it, you’re the webmaster and need to update your group record, etc.)

2.

Wait patiently. Responses sometimes take time, but we will get back to you as soon as we can. We usually carbon-copy the contacts we have for your group in our email correspondence to ensure that everyone knows what’s going on.

Why should I bother updating my record?
If you don’t, potential members won’t be able to find your group, and you may miss out on exclusive opportunities for user groups. Here’s how we use data in the user group database:

	Online locator: Apple points customers to the online locator at the user group website to find local groups. Customers access data direct from the database when searching for user groups, so the info about your group is only displayed accurately if you keep it so.
	Random opportunities: Occasionally we get requests from internal Apple folks or other vendors who want to offer Apple user groups special discounts, partnership opportunities, vendor presentations, free merchandise, feedback on programs, etc. (All opportunities are carefully screened to protect your privacy.)
	Be Counted: It’s far easier to justify resources for Apple user groups when we have accurate information about who they are, how many customers they touch, and the services they provide in their local communities.

Any other questions?
Check out other question and answers or contact us.

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