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Accepting Group Invitations

When a group leader invites you to join their group, you receive a unique invitation link. This guide walks you through every step of the invitation process, from clicking the link to becoming a full member.

Clicking the invitation link opens a guided, multi-step process. The steps you see depend on the group's requirements -- some groups have rules to agree to, membership questions, or paid memberships. The system automatically determines which steps apply and skips the ones that do not.

A progress indicator at the top of each step shows where you are in the process and how many steps remain.

Invitation Steps​

Step 1: Welcome​

The first screen you see after clicking the invite link shows:

  • The group name and image -- so you know which group you are joining.
  • Your assigned role -- typically "Member," but it could be "Co-Leader" or "Event Manager" if the leader assigned a specific role.
  • A personal message -- if the group leader included one with your invitation.
  • Membership pricing -- if the group charges a membership fee, the cost and billing cycle are displayed here. If the leader applied a discount code, the discounted price is shown.
  • Invitation expiration date -- invitations expire after a set period. If yours has expired, you will need to ask the group leader for a new one.

Review the details and click Accept Invitation to proceed.

info

If you are already a member of this group, the page will let you know and offer a link to go directly to the group page.

Step 2: Account (if not logged in)​

If you are not already signed in, you will be asked to create an account or log in.

Creating a new account:

  1. The Create Account tab is selected by default.
  2. Your name and email may be pre-filled from the invitation.
  3. Enter a password (at least 8 characters, with uppercase, lowercase, and a number).
  4. Complete the CAPTCHA verification.
  5. Click Create Account.

Logging in to an existing account:

  1. Switch to the Log In tab.
  2. Enter your email and password.
  3. Complete the CAPTCHA verification.
  4. Click Log In.
tip

If you try to create an account with an email that already exists, the form automatically switches to the login tab and lets you know to log in instead.

If you are already logged in when you click the invite link, this step is skipped entirely.

Step 3: Group Rules (if applicable)​

Some groups require members to agree to their rules before joining. If the group has rules:

  1. Read through each rule carefully. Rules are displayed in a numbered list with titles and descriptions.
  2. Check the box that reads: "I have read and agree to follow the group rules. I understand that violation of these rules may result in removal from the group."
  3. Click I Agree - Continue.

If the group does not have rules, this step is skipped.

Step 4: Membership Questions (if applicable)​

Some group leaders set up questions that new members must answer. These might ask about your homeschooling approach, your children's ages, or other relevant information.

Question types you may encounter:

  • Text questions -- type your answer in a text box.
  • Multiple choice -- select one option from a list.
  • Checkboxes -- select one or more options from a list.

Required questions are marked with a red asterisk (*). You must answer all required questions before you can continue.

  1. Answer each question.
  2. Click Continue.

If the group has no membership questions, this step is skipped.

Step 5: Payment (if applicable)​

If the group charges a membership fee and you are not fee-exempt:

  1. Review the price summary, which shows:

    • The base membership price
    • Any discount applied (if the leader included a discount code)
    • Service fee (if applicable)
    • Processing fee
    • Total per billing cycle (monthly or yearly)

  2. Select or add a payment method:

    • If you have saved cards on file, they are listed for you to choose from.
    • To add a new card, click + Add new card and enter your card details.
    • You can switch between a saved card and a new card at any time.

  3. Click Complete Payment.

note

Payments are processed securely through Stripe. Your card information is never stored on Homeschool Hive's servers.

Special payment situations:

  • Fee-exempt invitations -- if the group leader marked your invitation as fee-exempt, the payment step is skipped entirely.
  • Grandfathered access -- if the leader set a "free until" date, you will have free access until that date, after which you will need to set up payment.
  • Discount codes -- if a discount was applied to your invitation, the original price appears crossed out alongside the discounted amount.

If the group is free, this step is skipped.

Step 6: Complete​

Once all required steps are finished, you see a confirmation screen:

  • A green checkmark and a "Welcome!" message.
  • Confirmation that you are now a member of the group.
  • What's next suggestions:
    • Browse upcoming events and activities
    • Connect with other group members
    • Stay updated on group announcements
  • A Go to Group button that takes you directly to the group page.

Invitation Statuses​

If your invitation link does not work, you may see one of these messages:

StatusMessage
Already used"This invitation has already been accepted."
Expired"This invitation has expired. Please contact the group leader for a new invitation."
Declined"This invitation has been declined."
Cancelled"This invitation has been cancelled by the group leader."
Group unavailable"This group is no longer active."
Not found"This invitation link is invalid or has expired."

In all of these cases, reach out to the group leader if you still want to join.

warning

Invitation links are single-use. Once accepted, the same link cannot be used again. If another family member needs to join, the group leader must send a separate invitation.

Resuming an Incomplete Invitation​

If you leave the invitation process partway through (for example, after completing the rules step but before payment), your progress is saved. When you return to the invitation link, you will pick up where you left off rather than starting over.