I want to join a workgroup.  What's the process?

Once formed, HTNG workgroups are self-governing, meaning that the existing members can decide whether to admit new members.  Generally, companies that have a business interest in the workgroup and who are able and willing to actively participate are welcomed. 

Read this first:  Workgroups generally operate through smaller teams that meet regularly, such as weekly or biweekly.  You should consider applying for one or more teams in addition to - or instead of - applying for the workgroup.  Reasons to do this include:

• Teams are free to join, while workgroups carry nominal annual support fees.

• You can assess the "fit" before committing to the full workgroup.

• Most of the work is done by teams.

• Teams meet more frequently than workgroups, meaning you don't need to wait for the next workgroup meeting to get started.

• Some workgroups require a period of active team participation before you can be considered for full voting membership.

Most companies that join teams also join the workgroup, but there is no requirement to do so, nor do you have to make the decision now.  Advantages of joining the workgroup include:

• Participate on all final votes on specifications

• Attend face-to-face meetings offer opportunities to network with peers from both the customer and vendor communities

Joining a workgroup:  In general, the process for joining a workgroup works like this (if you want to join a team in addition or instead, click here):

• If you are not yet a member of HTNG, you or your company first need to join.

• If your company is an HTNG member but you are not yet enrolled as a user of the HTNG web sites (i.e. if you do not have a login and password), then you need to enroll.

• Apply to join the workgroup.  Use the application form here. 

  • Membership in workgroups is held by companies, not by individuals. 

  • Multiple individuals from your company can participate.  Each one needs to complete the form.

  • Each participant must be covered by either a corporate or individual HTNG membership.

• Your company will be placed on the agenda for membership consideration, according to the rules of the workgroup, at the next full workgroup meeting that occurs at least 7 days after the date that your application is processed. 

  • Meeting schedules for each workgroup are posted in the "Events" section of that workgroup's home page on the collaboration site.

  • A master schedule of all workgroup meetings can be found here.

• We will add you to the prospective members' mailing list for the workgroup so that you will receive all workgroup communications.

• You should plan to attend the meeting at which your company's membership is up for consideration.

  • You may also attend any meetings that occur sooner, although you will technically be a guest

  • For face-to-face meetings only, you need to register and pay a per-meeting fee (this fee is replaced by an annual fee once you become a voting member - click here for details).

    To register for a face-to-face meeting, click the "Member Services" link at the top of the page and follow the "Event Registration" link. 

  • At the meeting, the workgroup will normally vote on your company's membership.

  • If no one from your company can attend this meeting, then the workgroup may defer your application until the next meeting.

• While many workgroups welcome approved applicants as voting members immediately, certain larger workgroups may approve new members, either automatically by vote, for provisional memberships. 

  • Provisional memberships allow nonvoting participation during an evaluation period, when you will be expected to participate actively on one or more teams.

  • After the evaluation period, the workgroup will vote whether or not to admit you.

• Once your company has been accepted as a full voting member, you will be invoiced for an annual support fee.  See details here.

• New workgroups (exception): For newly formed HTNG workgroups, if you apply during the initial application period, you will become an initial member without a vote.