The present invention provides methods, systems, and components for bringing together individuals into an organization of groups in an online environment and for providing ways to help groups keep in contact and manage affairs. The groups are organized such that members of any particular group share some common interest or activity. A group could be an online representation of a group, club, community, team, school, alumni, friends, singles, families, organizations or businesses, for example. The present invention allows users to join an online community; create and maintain public or private interest groups; search member messages, biographies, photos, and news; add events to a group calendar; use online RSVP and automated guest lists to manage events; manage projects with interactive task lists, budgeting tools, and progress reports; schedule online chat; vote on group decisions; and generally connect with others in an online environment.