Personal druthers.

I like backgrounds, see http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Places/Place/324979 for a subtle background (that one's within the box, but something similar could serve as a full background, perhaps). I prefer subtle for groups, and backgrounds that tend to be on the dark side so it isn't such a shock when you enter the group. Backgrounds add texture and if done right can be easy on the eye, easier indeed than what might be a stark mono-color. (On the other hand, plain backgrounds aren't always bad either, depending on how things are designed...)

Can CSS do many table-like effects? I like the effect of tables, but if we can do them via CSS that is fine by me, too. (A box, I'd guess...)

I think a unified font would be a good idea. The way the default goes, there is a mixture of serif and sans-serif which is disconcerting. Colors should complement and enhance the effect of the chosen logo, without glaring out at us, or being hard to see.

I think whatever we do with the header space (the place at top with navigational tools to other worlds) should still be visible as links to other worlds. I find it disconcerting to lose that navigational tool in some groups I've visited.

A certain simplicity of design will fit in well with the chosen logo -- the point I think is cross-browser clean code, and being able to find things readily within the context of the group home page. We don't need every bell and whistle.

Laurels, I'm totally with you that this shouldn't be a competition, for all the reasons you stated. (The topic header, "Code-Off Challenges" might be confusing. :) )

Collaboration -- this will be cool! *S*