I could swear I saw this mentioned in a previous thread, but can't find it right now... Apparently the devs were considering awhile ago giving groups a "physical presence" in the world by allowing them to have group lodges: homes that are owned by an entire group and accessible by all of its members (I presume). While running the group that I started, I was thinking that this would be an awesome idea, and I would like to present some ideas and arguments in favor of it:
1) A lodge should probably cost a fair chunk of money (more than a single person's home), and thus would pull a group together in obtaining donations to buy one. This would also allow only the more well established groups to be able to own one (that, and/or there should be a minimum number of members in the group for it to be possible to buy one).
2) The lodge could be decorated according to the theme of the group on some level (perhaps giving the group leader who bought the lodge the option to decorate it with existing art).
3) The lodge could contain useful items that can be used by any member, with some special privileges given to the leader and/or higher level members. For instance, this is what I was envisioning for the Animal Kinship Group:
A donation bin with a large amount of space, where people could donate meat and other useful items that any other member could take (perhaps with a sign attached suggesting that donations be paid back in the future)
Another donation bin where people can place items in, but not take them out unless they are the group leader. I can foresee this being useful in the case of contests like I am currently holding, where I am asking for prize donations that will be given to the winners.
People could also, of course, drop stuff on the floor for anyone to take or use (especially, in our case, live animals that can be interacted with by anyone).
4) The lodge would also be a perfect place for parties.
Not related to group lodges, but still useful: A personal mail box in front of people's houses where items (as well as notes) can be left would be helpful in general (and especially when trying to transfer items between people that may or may not be online at the exact same time you are...)