HOW TO HOST AN ONLINE GROUP

An online group is an excellent tool to help people connect with each other when an in-person group is not feasible. You can encourage each others faith, share authentically, and watch God work in ways you may not have thought possible.

Your first couple of times you conduct an online meeting make have some hiccups, but don’t worry, you’ll get it in no time.

This page is a resource to help you choose what platform to use for your online meeting, how to conduct a meeting and some tips to make it a powerful experience.

If you have questions, contact us HERE

TECH TO USE

  • GOOGLE HANGOUTS

  • Zoom

    • Pros: Free. Only hosts are required to have a Zoom account. There is a phone-in option.

    • Cons: Limited to 40 minutes unless you have a paid account ($14.99/mo). Have to download Zoom application to phone or computer.

    • Capacity (100 participants/Devices)

      1. How To Use:

        • Open Zoom in a web browser or mobile app (apple device, android device, chrome web browser extension)

        • Login

        • Click “Host a meeting with video on”

        • Click “Invite participations”

          • Select how you’d like to send an invite:

            • Default Email, Gmail, Yahoo to send email invite

            • or “copy URL”, “Copy Invitation” to copy a link and send it via a text message, email, Facebook message, etc.

        • You can also schedule a meeting on the zoom website and send an invite to join you at a specific time, including a link to your online meeting. (See Instructions)

      2. Watch tutorial videos in Zoom video library.

  • FACEBOOK MESSENGER GROUPS

    • Pros: Free. Accessible via web browser on computer. Can access without a Facebook account. (If you don’t have a Facebook account you’ll need to download the app to your phone and use phone number.)

    • Cons: Phone-in option not available.

    • Capacity (50 participants/Devices: 6 video, 44 audio)

    • How To Use:

      • Open Facebook messenger on web browser or mobile app

      • Login (with Facebook account or phone number)

      • Click “New Message” button to add Facebook friends to group chat (see image below)

      • After adding contacts, click the “Video Call” button to start video chat. (see image below)

    • Watch 2 minute tutorial.

  • FREECONFERENCECALL.COM

    • If your group is not as tech savvy or doesn’t have the technology to do a video chat, this website offers a free conference call option to phone in. It will be a long distance number most likely.

    • How to use:

      • Sign up for an account HERE

      • Share the dial-in number and access code with your group.