Abstract: One or more presence capable shared or non-shared client communication devices that are members of a communications group are connected to a communications network server that is capable of receiving presence information from any of the shared or non-shared client communication devices and publishing this presence information to other member of the group. The network server maintains publication instructions that are based upon a listing of the member in the group and only publishes presence information to shared and non-shared client communication devices that are members of the group. The network server also maintains permissions rules, created a primary user of a shared client communication device, that limits access by non-primary users to the shared client communication device who are member of the communications group and that controls how the presence information is displayed in a multi-level contact directory located at either a shared or non-shared client communication device.