For many years I belonged to a large social organisation of walkers. It was REALLY fun and I miss its demise.
I was a walk leader and guide.
Today I walk alone mainly because I'm a billy no mates, couple with decisions on walking are made very last minute.
There are many issues around walking in groups especially when it is not a regular group.
One really important thing I can try to impart to you all. Waiting for those less able to catch up.
If you need to do this at all you have already failed.
They should be ahead of you and you should never catch THEM up.
The mental state of anyone who is slower becomes very poor. Not only are they battling their own physical distress but it is being made worse by knowing they are slowing you down. It is AWFUL.
The reverse is that by you being a ways behind encourages them, you lift one of the burdens which helps a lot.
I have been on group walks where a killing pace was being maintained by the obvious 'macho' men, I slowed down on an ascent and was abandoned. The leader RAN back to say I was slowing them down and 'this is an A group walk, we have a reputation to maintain'..
I was then 'left'. I later saw the group on the wrong path some way off. I was back at the car park after doing the full route waiting for them for over an hour.
Talking.. there are those who cannot shut up. I've led walks and brought people to fantastic view points. The 'talkers' arrive and stand facing each other utterly oblivious to the view. Takes all sorts
Also it is worth understanding that a 'walking' group are meant to walk not climb. Little scrambles are often inevitable, but choosing routes that are all about exposure and scrambling are not walks and should be announced as such. I know its a thrill, so is mountain biking and paragliding but they are not 'walking'. If you are leading a walking group and need to reach for crampons and ice axes, you really are in the wrong place.