What are groups?
Groups help define what kind of fan you are. Whether you're a fan artist, a role player, or both, you can join certain groups that show other members what skills you have. The benefits of being in a group include getting to know who else is in the group and receiving newsletters from the group leader(s). If the group is special enough, it may also allow you to view a hidden forum where more discussions are taking place that would otherwise be hidden to normal members.
Group types
Some groups, like Role Players, are completely open groups, which means you are simply allowed to add yourself to the group. Others, like Global moderators, are closed groups, which means only administrators can add members to the group. Others, still, are join by request only, which means you may request to be in the group, but group leaders determine if you are allowed to or not. The group type (Open/Request/Closed) is usually listed next to the group name.
Joining groups/Group defaults
If you want to join groups, you'll have to visit your UCP -> Usergroups -> Edit memberships, or click this link. When you visit that page, you will notice a list of groups that you have memberships in and groups that you do not have memberships in. On the left and right of these groups there are "radio inputs" or the bullet option points that allow you to select groups. At the bottom of the list there are two buttons and a drop down menu. The left radio inputs correspond to the "Change default group" button, and the right radio inputs correspond to the drop down menu and the "Submit" button. With the drop down menu, you can join, resign, or demote the selected groups. The "demote" option is only for group leaders. If they want to demote themselves, they can do so by this method. You should only join the groups that you have skills in. If you join the Fan Artists group and never show fan art, the group leader may remove you. Similarly, if you join the Role Players group and never role play, the group leader will remove you. If you join multiple groups, you can change your default group to the more predominant one. Such as: if you are an active role player and an occasional fan artist, make your default group "Role Players" Once you make a group your default group, the color of your name will change to the group's color.
Group leaders
If you are a group leader, you can manage your group by going to your UCP -> Usergroups -> Manage groups, or click this link. From there its pretty simple to manage the group and its members.
If there are questions, reply here or feel free to PM me.