"Just adding my vote for this very important feature !  We're a fairly new Ning network, but already  losing members' interest because they don't want to jump through the hoops twice of "accepting an invite".  …"

"Keira, my Ning is basically dead and unusable due to the lack of this feature. Sadly, it appears as though Ning development has no plans to implement this Feature Request, or at least they haven't acknowledged the option."

"Just want to add my 2 cents to this as a wishlist feature!  I run networks for a federal client who uses their Nings to create online communities of state government officials responsible for disbursing federal funds. There's currently a…"

"We have this situation as well -- we would like to have a private discussion amongst certain members, but we'd like to be able to create the member list ourselves. I understand for many networks it wouldn't be a best-practice to let…"

"It's over a year we've been asking for this, and not for the first time. My site is for an international society of city and regional planners, all of whom have joined the society in the first place, then joined the network.  We have…"

"+1"

"i wish there were a 2013 Roadmap, with "Complete Groups Overhaul" on it"

"Unfortunately, the developers seem to be ignoring this very important feature request.  Without it, my Ning is useless.  I pay for my own private Ning, I should be able to add members as I wish to groups I create. Very unprofessional the…"

"Another reason for this kind of option is for ALL members to be added to an initial group so general information is being sent to them regarding the entire site.  How to use the site, general information regarding the site, etc.  They can…"

"I agree!  I also have a private site (school) and this idea of sending a 'friend request' is, honestly, ridiculous, not to mention un-professional!!"

"+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1 Amazing to not have this feature."

"And it is a turn off to these high profile members when they have to respond to these silly invites.  My site is a private site.  Members must request to join or be invited and join before viewing any content, and the groups are private as…"

"I agree with you completely.  We need this feature. "

"I'm glad you see my point, but as you can see by the other comments here, there is a need for this option.  I used to work for a prominent that created a content management system, and the ability was in place to directly add members to a…"

"Our Ning platform is for the members of an international society of city and regional planners.  These members belong to committees and other groups which need their own space for dialogue and decision making.  Every time, I have to…"

"Another 2 months and I guess we are still no further? I need a way to add or invite members to groups who are not necessarily a 'friend' even though I am the NC some of my members have some how avoided being a friend. If we could add them…"