Here is some useful information about how to use Zoom efficiently, effectively, and safely. A bunch of this is a direct copy from the Zoom FAQ webpage. Preparation If you've never used Zoom before, have a look here at the Getting Started FAQ on the Zoom website. A Zoom account is not required if you are strictly joining Zoom Meetings as a participant. You can join as a participant without creating an account. You do not need to purchase anything extra in order to join our events. If you use the app version of Zoom then please make sure that you have got the latest update installed. Here is the Zoom guide to updating to the latest version. Make sure your computer or device is plugged in or charged fully. Prepare yourself: Wear comfortable clothing. Please set your space in a way that feels good to you. Please have your water close by. Joining a session Upon registering for an event or course, you will have received a meeting link, meeting ID, and password. You can join a Zoom meeting by clicking the meeting link or going to https://zoom.us/join and entering in the meeting ID. When asked for a password, enter the password which was sent to you by us. When you first come on the call, you will be in a "waiting room" until one of our hosts welcomes you in. The waiting room is simply a screen indicating that you are in the right place. 'Doors' open 5min before the start time of a session so that you've got the space to settle in and test your microphone and camera Changing your display name: Zoom will by default use the name with which you registered for our event. This helps us to identify you as you enter the waiting room. If you wish to change your name upon entering the room, you can do so. We sometimes include discplay name change activities in our sessions. Video & Audio settings Your microphone will be defaulted to mute and your camera will be defaulted to off. By unmuting your microphone in the main room, you consent to being heard by the group and to your voice being recorded. By turning on your camera, you consent to being seen on screen. Your image will not be recorded unless we have specifically asked you for your consent to do so. If your video does not work, have a look at the Zoom troubleshooting for video here. If your microphone does not work, have a look at the Zoom troubleshooting for audio here. On most devices, you can join computer/device audio by clicking Join Audio, Join with Computer Audio, or Audio to access the audio settings. While you are not required to have a webcam to join a Zoom Meeting or our events, you will not be able to transmit video of yourself. You will continue to be able to listen and speak during the meeting and view the webcam video of other participants. During the session Mic & Camera: For full participation and group experience, we may ask you to turn on your camera and unmute your microphone. To tend to your own nervous system or sense of privacy, you can turn off your camera and mute your microphone at any point. Chat: The chat box allows you to communicate with all participants, session hosts, and individual people through private messaging. For most events, we leave the chat open so that participants can choose to contribute verbally or through writing. Some people find the chat very helpful as a way to interact and others can find it very distracting (while in full-screen mode, it is possible to move the Zoom chat out of the field of view but this requires a few extra steps.) Depending on the type of session and activities, the chat may be limited or turned off entirely. Reactions: Throughout all sessions you can communicate with the hosts and other participants by using the reaction buttons. You can use the Raise Hand feature to let the hosts know that you wish to speak. Breakout Rooms: We use breakout rooms for many of our sessions. Hosts will provide all necessary instructions before assigning you to one. You can request for support while you are in a breakout room. A session host will then be with you as soon as possible. Rejoining: If for whatever reason you leave the Zoom meeting room during the session, you can simply rejoin the same way you first came. If the session host has locked the meeting room, they will unlock it for you to be able to join again. Closed Captions: There is a feature which allows for subtitles of sessions. We will experiment with this and let you know how to use it once we know too. Recording of the sessions The entire session which takes place in the large group will be recorded by our session host. The breakout rooms will not be recorded. The only screen being recorded during the sessions will be the screen of the host/trainer, keeping the privacy of our participants intact. When participants unmute themselves to speak in the main room, their voices will be recorded. This recording is for internal use only and will not be shared. We do not allow our participants to record the sessions they attend. People Need People sessions will not be recorded at all. At the end of the session You can save a copy of your chat window at any point during the session. We will also give a reminder to do so at the end. Once the session has ended, the Zoom room will be closed by the session host. If the hosts need to stay on to debrief, we may ask you to leave the Zoom Room by exiting the meeting. After the session Zoom meetings can be very energy consuming. We encourage you to step away from your device, get some fresh air, and treat yourself in whatever way helps you to land back in your physical space.