Kids, this is Rhonda Colby's thing--and what you're experiencing is the way it's always been. "Always", in this case and to my knowledge, is at least from 1995 or 1996.
Rhonda's group began on AOL many years ago. Anybody--like me--who remembers how connect was back then can probably understand. To keep a discussion group's size to a reasonable level made the difference between enjoying the technology and having the technology but not the time. The kludgy, slow interface put some limits on how many people could comfortably take part.
So Rhonda has always limited participation in her Christmas notebook group. It's her way, it's always been her way, and it's nothing personal. She likes to keep the numbers down, and prefers that everyone be on the same page at the same time.
Honestly, I can see the case for her method, particularly when it's mid-November and I'm drowning in new folks over at OC who are all wringing their hands because they're "behind".
Thankfully, we have LOTS of options these days. All this glorious diversity is ours, so don't let it curdle your spirits.
CEO