I never said I didn't have the power to choose not to be a part of these groups. The point is that I want to be a part of them, and doing that without facebook

I never said I didn't have the power to choose not to be a part of these groups. The point is that I want to be a part of them, and doing that without facebook is 10x the additional friction. Yes, I could ask someone to forward me the notices, and activities, but how do you propose I participate in the discussions of what to do? When the voting via facebook poll happens, how do you propose I make my voice heard. Now, you could argue that facebook isn't worth it. (And that is a perfectly reasonable position to take.) But that is a different position than, "It's easy to make these things work without facebook."