Life Group Leader Resources

Check Out Zoom

Free  
No time limits
Only hosts are required to have a Zoom account

All participants must download the Zoom application to phone or computer.

Capacity: 100 participants/Devices

How To Use:

1. Open Zoom in a web browser or mobile app (apple device, android device, chrome web browser extension)
2. Log in
3. Click “Host a meeting” with “video on”
4. Click “Invite participations”
5. Select how you’d like to send an invite:
   • Default Email, Gmail, Yahoo to send email invite
   • Click “Copy URL” or “Copy Invitation” to copy a link and send it via a text message, email, facebook message, etc.
6. 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)

Watch Zoom's tutorial videos

Leaders: How to Schedule a Meeting       Members: How to Join a Meeting

Check Out Google Hangouts

Free
Unlimited time

Requires a google account for all participants

Capacity: 25 Participants/Devices

How to use:

1. Open Google Hangouts in a web browser or mobile app
   (apple device, android device, chrome web browser extension)
2. Log in
3. Click “Video Call” button
4. Click “Invite People” and type in their email address (If they don’t have a google account it will send them an invite to setup an account)
5. You can also schedule a meeting on your google calendar and send an invite to join you at a specific time, including a link to your online meeting.
   (See Instructions)

Watch a youtube tutorial

1. Prepare
   • Download and test the software prior to meeting.
   • Create a plan for participants to indicate they’d like to talk.
     You may try something like raising a hand, or another signal.
     
     
2. Choose the best environment
   • Ensure your face is well-lit and centered in the camera view.
     We don’t want to see your forehead, or neck, or miss you all together.
   • Select a quiet location
     • Turn off anything making noise in the background
     • Put pets in a different room or have them in a place where they will be most quiet.
       
       
3. Use one device per household
   • When two devices are used in one location it produces feedback (really annoying noises).
     
     
4. Mute your computer unless you’re talking
   • If every microphone is on at the same time, it can be hard to hear the person talking. So the best policy is to mute yourself when you are not talking.
     (Or maybe, the host will mute you, don’t take it personally.)
   • If you are muted, make sure to nod your head and listen well so people can recognize you are following them.
     
     
5. Give full attention, don’t multi-task
   • When participants are not paying attention it can be a big distraction online, just like an in-person group.
   • When talking, spend some time looking at the camera, not just the screen.
     
     
6. Stay in touch afterwards
   • Use Facebook Groups, WhatsApp, etc. as a place to stay connected and keep the conversation going throughout the week.

Still have questions? Contact Tim