Google Shared Drives are special folders in Google Workspace where resident committees and activities can store and share documents. The files stored within a Shared Drive belong to the group instead of an individual resident. This means that even if a member leaves, the files stay in the shared drive so your committee or activity can continue using the documents without interruption.
Designed For Resident Committees and Activities
A Shared Drive is a solution for resident committees and activities that maintain meeting minutes, have policies or procedures, or create other documents for their use. For example:
Garden Committee The Garden Committee has several documents that are updated regularly, such as assignments of garden or rose plots, garden shed assignments, garden shed storage rules.
SERV Leadership members collaborate by sharing drafted documents for editing and safety liaison documents are shared on the resident website.
Outdoor Campus Committee The Outdoor Campus Committee stores files of historical significance.
Would Your Group Benefit From Using a Shared Drive?
- Are all your group’s documents kept in one place?
- Are the documents backed up regularly?
- Can the documents be accessed anytime, anywhere?
- Is it clear the emailed document you have is the most up-to-date version?
If NO is the answer to any of these questions, then your group would benefit from using a Shared Drive.
Features
- Instead of one individual resident owning the documents, the group owns the documents.
- The group continues to have access to documents when an individual resident leaves.
- All members see and share the same content.
- Files are searchable.
- A Shared Drive can be accessed from any device, any browser, and from any location with internet access.
Request a Shared Drive
A Council recognized committee or activity can request a Shared Drive. The request must include the name of one or more residents who will be responsible for the drive. These residents will have Manager privileges and must have a personal Google Account.
In requesting a Shared Drive, the committee or activity agrees to the Shared Drive Policy.
Getting Started
Visit Getting Started with a Shared Drive for what you need to know to get started and best practices.
Shared Managers: Visit Managing a Shared Drive
Directory
View the directory of resident activities and committees with Google Shared Drives.
updated 10-27-2025