Define Informal groups

An informal group can be defined as
one in which three or more people decide, perhaps on an ad hoc basis, to
meet on a regular or semi-regular schedule for the purpose of discussing subjects of common
interest, or for the purpose of engaging in a particular activity of common interest.  It is
contrasted by a formal group that has an established structure,
possibly an agreed upon hierarchy involving "officers" (for example, president, vice president,
treasurer, secretary, sergeant-at-arms, etc.), and possibly functions under agreed-upon rules
designed to function professionally, like Roberts Rules that dictate the structure of the formal
meeting to ensure fairness and a democratic process in the event votes are taken on whether to
engage in a new type of activity or whether to merge with another group with overlapping
interests.

Informal groups are not constrained by structures set
forth in manuals like Roberts Rules of Order, and may or may not operate along democratic lines
involving voting. In fact, depending upon the size and nature of the informal group's
composition, voting may never be considered or required.  Also, depending upon context, an
informal group operating within a larger organization, like a business or agency structure, may
exist for the sole purpose of allowing for informal, off-the-record discussions of ways in which
to improve productivity of the organization or business, or it may be formed to allow for
interactions among colleagues as part of a process of improving communications within the
organization.  Informal groups may simply exist to allow individuals with a shared passion for
wine, mahjong, poker, politics, or virtually every other activity one can think of.  The key
characteristic of informal groups, though, is the absence of clearly delineated structures and
rules dictating the group's conduct and activities, and much less emphasis on member turn-out for
meetings.  Informal groups are not likely to go through the motion that are an integral part of
formal meetings like demanding the presence of a quorum before matters can be
resolved.