Gallery Info: Community Projects
Submissions relating to events in an effort to make a statement.
But Rachel, the galleries are so specific!
Indeed they are but that doesn't mean you can't get involved! Look over the list, see if there's something you want to get involved in and look over the submissions! They give clues on how you can get involved too.
They're all great, really, but they aren't exactly what I'd like to do... How else can I get involved?
Glad you asked! Currently most of the Community Projects happen in groups, but that doesn't mean we can't ask for more subcategories in the Community Projects Gallery. Remember what I said about change in my last article! That same theory continues on into this week too. Lets talk to some of our Community Project Leaders!
How do I start my own project?
If they want to start a project, like a group on here or something, they should make their intentions for it apparent, and try to spread the word about the group, what it's for, etc. 
The only person you have to deal with is yourself. Make sure to always stand your ground when stress from your surroundings are beginning to eat you alive, and just remember that with determination and patience you can get any project done. 
Pounce on any good idea, it's at least worth trying. 
I would tell them to have an idea on how to attract and retain members before you start a group. 
I would say "Go for it!". If you have an idea for a project of your own to inspire a change for the better, or even 'just because', starting a group of your own is a great way to bring people together with common interests. It's a really cool thing to be able to talk to people with similar views, or even to learn from people with slightly different ones! 
It's difficult to start a group on your own, but it is possible. I suggest finding a few active deviants that are interested in the same topic and work together. 
Be sincere in what you want to accomplish, and don't ever get defensive if someone questions you. Be polite, and gracious, and never let your mind wander from what your ultimate goal is - To do something good for someone else. 
There's a lot of different advice I could give a prospective founder on starting their own group, but the most practical thing would probably be to tell them to make sure they set their join-request permissions are set correctly. 
Groups are set to 'no join requests allowed' by default, and I've seen many a new founder puzzled as to why nobody was joining their group--only to discover it was because the permissions weren't set. I would also advise them to stay positive; building a successful group isn't always easy, but if you work hard and do a good job, you should end up with something to be proud of. Also, treat your group members well.
Did you have help?
Yes I had help, mostly Darrin (
) But in the beginning of the group 
helped a lot, but he left the group because most people didn't post or anything so he didn't think he was doing anything to help. Yes, my close & wonderful friend Bianca 
was eager to help out with this project on day one, and has been at my side ever since. Another great friend of mine 
is a extremely helpful Contributor, who loves being apart of Scars by Bullying by supporting other members and posting blogs concerning bullying. In reality everyone contributed, I just thought of the idea. =The--Last--Hope and =pixiepot were kind enough to make journal skins. And also ^wdwparksgal was awesome enough to make a (Red) sub category in the community projects gallery. `admx and ~Vicolu were nice enough to make box codings, and `Endorell-Taelos was kind enough to make a stamp! :] I did have help. my main co-founder was CaptainAnderson. Well, I kind of dragged her into helping me lol. Shortly after I created the group, 
(~sephsxlittlexgirly) popped up out of nowhere and we began talking via the group's home page, and before we knew it, she was made my first Co-founder and official Right-hand woman! Then came 
(I-Can-See-446787) and the three of us have been handling the group since. I really can't thank them enough, they take off sooo much pressure! I've had help getting the group up and running from a few people. They are all co-founders. These people would be ToxicAlice92, Amenomlovely and RainDanser. ToxicAlice92 has introduced the group to a project she created. It's called the IDENTITY project. We think it would be very beneficial to those with BPD because many of us struggle with identity issues. Creating the project, no. But making the project happen? Yes. I asked, and still am asking, tons of deviants and groups to promote the project in their blogs, to their friends, in their homes, as features, any way they can! And of course all of the donators are the people making this actually happen! Sounds like a lot of work. Maybe I should just help out in someone else's project. How could I contribute to yours?
They can get involved in this group by talking to us and coming up with an idea for a contest or something, or just think of something to help or improve the group. Or they could even just start talking to someone in the group who needs it. By being a member, or simply sharing the group with friends and family helps a lot with getting our name out, and more importantly supports anyone who is suffering from being bullied, whether daily or pain that is still lingering from years or decades ago. By looking here! [link] Even though the event is "over". People can still support the cause if they like! People can get involved in my group by submitting art, applying to be a contributor, posting on the wall starting a discussion. Join our group! Or if you're not on dA, message us on our front page and we could work something out with you. We would be elated to expand past dA! Well, first of all, you can join the group. You don't need to have BPD to join, but you do need to be supportive of us who do. I'd highly recommend reading up on BPD. If you have any project ideas that may be beneficial to people with BPD, feel free to inbox me, Xenabaiche. I will discuss them with the Admins. But the best thing you can do to be involved is just to be there for us when we need someone to vent to. Just offer your support. Other people can get involved in my project by helping out in three different ways! One way is promote the actual project, along with the custom glass vial pendants I'm selling to raise funds for the project! If you can't help financially, spreading the word will surely always reach someone who can! Or, you can actually donate points into my donation pool on my profile. But even better for someone who wants to help out in your family or something, who is not part of the deviantART community, they can buy Custom Glass Vial Pendants bu donated to my PayPal link on my profile page as well!! There's lots of ways to get involved! First of, by joining the group, of course. 
Other helpful things include suggesting asexuality-themed artwork to the gallery, telling the group about interesting ace-based news items, contributing websites to our 'links' section, and replying to the people who sometimes ask questions in our home page's comments.
Other helpful things include suggesting asexuality-themed artwork to the gallery, telling the group about interesting ace-based news items, contributing websites to our 'links' section, and replying to the people who sometimes ask questions in our home page's comments. The group aside, the best thing you can probably do to help is to help spread awareness of asexuality: Learn more about it, so you can be informed, and inform other people; Add a support stamp to your collection (we have lots of them!); Write a journal or article to help make other people aware.
What are your goals for 2012?
To help. To have more members be apart of our group, as well as having contests & challenges to help build people's self-esteem as well with confidence. My Goal for 2012 for the group is to have 300+ members and bring the group back to life 
My goal for 2012 is to be able to set up our very own seperate website. This would enable us to set up a headquartes of sorts and make it esier to connect with other sites and spread the word about Victims United. To raise enough points to buy 50 hoodies from dA by winter time this year, so that I can donate to my nearest shelter at the time, and with dA's match of up to 50 hoodies, have enough to spare in my car to give to people I literally see on the street. A separate goal for 2012, though, is also to move back home and get my job back. That way, I can also buy socks and blankets and other warms clothing and fun things for the children to have during winter at their shelter. I would like for us to have a group forum by the end of the year, but that depends more on dA getting around to adding those promised groups features that it does on anything I do. More within my grasp, though, is a planned dA chat room for the group. I also intend to figure out more ways to get our members involved and make them feel like they're really part of a community. 
That sounds awesome! What other groups can I contribute to!?
Community Projects is a group dedicated to the support of artwork that are aimed at awareness, holidays, and project & clubs within deviantART and is also there to support your own community projects on deviantART and in the world.
Anuksut: :devScarsByBullying: was created so that others who have experienced bullying of any kind may find a place of comfort and reprieve, and also meet others of the community that are going through or have gone through what they are today. Our goal is to bring the community together to bring awareness to others that bullying exists and prove that its effects are detrimental to victims and indeed persist for years after the bullying has ceased. We want to tell the victims of bullying that they are not alone and, someday, slowly but surely, create a stop to bullying.
UkeAgent21: dapride is a group that concentrates and encourages the LGBTQIA community to express themselves in any medium they can, and be proud of it! (Pun not intended) But, anyone of any sexual orientation and gender identity may join! We have a long-standing (9-years-old) gallery filled with pieces from several Deviants, either LGBTQIA themselves, or supporters. You may find anything from coming out stories, support messages, symbolic pieces representing the still-ongoing struggle for equality. It's a place with zero-tolerance for hate and all about love -- no matter what gender! 
HauntedByMyMemories: Our group is about helping people with depression, abuse, rape, etc. and just to give someone to talk to when they need it. I haven't really talked to many people in this group, but those I have are quite kind and they will listen to what anyone has to say.
TheMateriaMaster: All our group is about is supporting a happy life, second chances, and the right to be your own person. Though we are called VictimsUnited, this is a group for any young adults that are dedicated to sending a message. You have the right to be yourselves, and we will not change you or let anyone else. We don't know if you are a Victim of anything (Such as bullying, depression or a mental/physical illness), or if you have lived a peaceful life, but we are inviting anyone to join our large, supportive family, because we want you to help us make a difference, even if it is only a little one. We aren't a group to judge you on your submissions, or the way you act, and neither are any of our members for that matter. All we want to do is show that people can care for others and Victims, even when it doesn't seem that way, as we try to boost your self-confidence and self-esteem, to make you all realise how wonderful yourselves and the world really are/is. And even if you choose not to join, we'll always be here for you if you want to talk, or simply to ask for advice. Thank you if you read all that, VictimsUnited.
heminder: Pirate Party is the political party of the digital age. We represent the changes demanded by technology that governments and industries are resisting with all their might. We want copyright and patent laws to be reformed to fit their purpose, and your privacy and freedom of speech to be upheld and protected.
MamaLantiis: RelayForLife is the hub for the dAream Relay, an online Relay for Life. We educate on cancer and give support to cancer victims, their families, and cancer survivors. We showcase relay-related deviations, have multiple events here on deviantART for the members to participate in, and end our relay season in a 24-hour chat event with prizes, points, and silly goodness! Come by and check us out. We can always use some help and more ideas! (deviantHEART is the sister group to this one.)
RavynCrescent Spreading-Awareness is a group focusing on spreading awareness about bullying, self harm, human trafficking, autism... and how to overcome obstacles. By spreading awareness, you help make change through educating the general public. By creating more education there are more people contacting the people who can make things happen, there is more fight to end things like the SOPA bill, and more people who stand up for the autistic kid in school being picked on and shouting "This is our world, and I aim to fix it! So I will not let you cause more harm!
RavynCrescent wesurvived is a group for survivors of crimes such as rape, human trafficking, child abuse, bullying, and domestic violence, amongst others. It is a place for victims to share their stories and remind themselves that they survived it,and can continue to survive. We are also a group for anyone who is a victim, or knows someone who is, to find help. We are here for you. We care, because we've been through it.
LoveOfGlory: Aspergers-support is a community-centered group which provides support for individuals who have or know someone who has the syndrome and people who want to learn more about it. We are in the midst of an administration change, and it will become much more active very soon. Everyone is welcome, and we'd be glad for some new fresh minds!
Emeowrald: We are a group that supports a woman's right to freedom of choice for her own body.
The Give Peace a Chance Project is a international project for peace which is a working resource for the people of the world; connecting and inspiring through the international sign of peace, supporting several movements of world betterment, and helping people become involved in it all for as much as they’d like to be. You can participate by contributing to the project or with those in which it is affiliated. Submit a photo at any of our locations for it to be spread across the rest of them. These places include DeviantArt, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and more!
Haters-Gonna-Hate-Me
We are a group on individuals all with the same goal. Helping clean up DeviantART while maintaining our individuality and deviousness. The word "troll" is thrown around a lot these days, but those with opinions and those who want to make this place cleaner are not trolls. That's what this group is here for.
RJDaae: Most people are familiar with the meanings of 'gay', 'straight', 'bisexual', and maybe even 'pansexual'... but do you know what 'asexual' means? (In reference to humans, that is, not amoebae.) It is estimated that 1% of people don't experience sexual attraction, and so fit into this oft-overlooked orientation. Club-of-Aces is deviantART's premiere asexuality group: Whether you're an ace artist looking for a place to share your work and thoughts, a non-asexual seeking a greater understanding of asexuality, or an ally who wants to support your asexual friends, Club-of-Aces has you covered!
ToxicAlice92 On-The-Borderline is a wonderful and, I believe, needed group founded by merclavette in order to give those here on deviantART a small gathering place to come together and gain support with open hearts and open ears for those with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder). There are many who aren't diagnosed til very late, and many still whose parents don't believe it or don't want to believe it. Some people have no way of getting help, and other don't get enough or the type the have doesn't work, usually because they have no one to relate to. At On-The-Borderline, not only are there people here to listen and comfort who don't understand, but there are also people who DO have it and understand what it's like. There are people to listen, and people who can give you advice and help. Even if all you want is for someone to say I understand and not judge you, you can find that there. Even people without BPD are encouraged to join and support the people who just need someone to talk to and listen to them. It's a great example of how two very unalike people can come together to help themselves and others.
ilovekakashi28 We are a mental illness awareness and support group with the intention to dispel myths and stigma surrounding mental illness, and at the same time provide a supportive outlet for members to be able to express themselves. It is a peer support group run by people who have personal experience in dealing with mental disorders. We welcome anybody to join or drop by and ask questions!
Mysticbynd
All of us go through hard times. We aim to be a group where people of all ages can come with their problems and receive unconditional love, support, and prayer... regardless of beliefs or religious background.
ThatOneNiko dA-ADHD is a group for people who suffer from the ADHD/ADD Family of disorders. It is a group dedicated to help let users share their stories and experiences with having (Adult or Regular) ADHD/ADD. It also primarily focuses on bringing people together in harmony. Anybody is welcome to join, as long you either have (Adult or Regular) ADD/ADHD or understand and support people in their well-being who have ADHD/ADD. We are currently looking for contributors to help bring life to the group.
Pictures You Should Check Out
Next Week: We dive into Body Art, this journal gets a face lift and... I may or may not get those tutorials you guys wanted. We'll see! Stay tuned, and give feedback on how I can improve.
Help contribute to the next article on Body Art. More info found below!
Skin by neurotype-on-discord
