Online Meetings

Worldwide Online Meetings

Participating in Online/Virtual Meetings

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. Are these normal AA meetings, or is something different about "Virtual AA"?

  2. Video conferences provide for the communication of our common problem and solution in the same way that we are used to except we are physically separated.

  3. What is Zoom?

  4. Zoom is an online application used to create video & telephone conferences. It is free for anyone who simply wants to attend meetings.

  5. Do I have to download Zoom in order to attend an online meeting?

  6. Yes and No. You can access any Zoom meeting in a few different ways. First by going to their webpage: https://zoom.us (either via computer or smartphone) select Join a Meeting and enter the meeting ID then click Join. You will then be offered several options you may cancel the zoom launcher dialog and choose "Join from Your Browser". You may also Join a meeting using a land line.

    See FAQ #9 and #10 for download information. If you like, you can download the zoom application, but it is not mandatory.

  7. How do I join a meeting from a landline?

  8. Joining a meeting from a landline is easy. Here's how:

    1. Dial the phone number in the "Join by Phone w/Passcode"

    2. When you are prompted for the Meeting ID, enter the Meeting ID then press #.

    3. The following commands can be entered using your phone's dial pad while in a Zoom meeting:

      1. *6 - Toggle mute/unmute.

      2. *9 - Raise hand.

  9. How do I join a meeting from my smart phone?

  10. There are two ways you can join a meeting from your smart phone.

    1. If you just want to join the audio, simply touch the phone number in the "Join by Phone w/Pass Code" Column.

    2. If you want to join Audio, Video, and see the screen if the chair person is sharing anything, click on the "Link to Join Online" button.

    3. If you join the Audio by phone, don't connect the audio again from the "Join Online" link. You already have audio, this will cause feedback.

    4. Zoom will ask you to confirm the name you want displayed on the screen. *This name can be visible to others. You can change that.

      *For instructions on changing your display name, see FAQ #11

  11. Should I turn on video if I join by my smart phone or computer?

  12. Members choose to display their image or not, this is a personal choice based on their own expression of anonymity. Please review the relevant GSO Document Anonymity Online and Digital Media at the button above

  13. Should I keep my line muted if I'm not talking?

  14. Yes. If someone is sharing, and there is a lot of background noise coming from your phone, it will be very distracting. Please mute your line if you are not talking.

    1. You can do that easily if you join by computer. Just click the "mute" button.

    2. On your smartphone, you can use the mute button on your phone.

    3. On your home phone, use the mute button on your home phone. If you don't have a mute button on your home phone, please join from some place quiet.

    4. Also on a dial in connection you can use *6 to toggle Mute/Unmute.

  15. Can I add my own virtual meeting to this list?

  16. If your virtual meeting meets at the same time as your pre-quarantine face-to-face meeting, it’s easy to add your information to our Online Meetings list. Member Groups can provide information about their virtual meeting using this link Meeting Update Form.

  17. Downloading Zoom Desktop client and mobile app Zoom Support