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Zoom Instructions

Zoom video conferencing software is easy to use.  Please read more about Zoom here to familiarize yourself with Zoom and ensure an optimal meeting experience.

Before the Meeting:

  • Install Zoom by clicking here.

  • At the time of the meeting, all you need to do is click on the link you received via email and the meeting will start for you.

  • Please choose a private, quiet place for our meeting.  Use earphones if possible.

  • Prefer not to be on video? You can turn off your camera. If you cannot join by computer,  you can use your smart phone to join the meeting or simply call in by phone.

  • Sign up for the support group email list here to receive the AMG monthly reminder emails and Zoom links to attend future meetings.

  • If you have not received the link, please text Rachel at 908-310-3397 as soon as possible and before 6:00 pm on the night of the meeting. 

During the Meeting:

  • Mute your microphone
    To help keep background noise to a minimum, make sure you mute your microphone when you are not speaking.

  • When your microphone is unmuted, be mindful that background noises are easily picked up and even magnified for other listeners on the call.  Therefore, do what you can to minimize ambient noise and refrain from engaging in noisy ancillary activities while on the call and unmuted.

  • Choose SPEAKER or GALLERY view.
    You can control how you view the other participants, by choosing either Speaker or Gallery view, depicted by an icon, usually located in the upper right hand corner of your screen.  Location of various icons vary from device (computer screen, tablet, ipad, phone) and operating system utilized (pc, mac).You can toggle between views by simply clicking on the icon with your cursor.    Gallery view lets you see thumbnail displays of participants, in a grid pattern, which expands and contracts as participants join and leave the meeting.  Speaker view allows you to see a large image of only who is speaking at a given moment.

  • Using video option.  By clicking on the video icon, usually located at the bottom left hand corner of your screen, you can turn your video on or off, controlling whether others on the call can see you or not.  While we encourage keeping your video on so that others can better experience your presence, you have control of this option throughout the meeting by simply clicking on the icon to toggle between video on/off options.

  • Position your camera properly: If you choose to use a web camera, be sure it is in a stable position and focused at eye level, if possible. Doing so helps create a more direct sense of engagement with other participants.

Prefer to not see yourself on video?  If you don’t mind being seen by other participants, but find it distracting to see your own image, right click on your picture on the screen and select the “hide video” option.  This keeps your video active but removes it from your own screen.

Advanced Zoom Instructions for Online Mediations

Some Tips Beyond the Basics

SHARE SCREEN.  This is a useful option when participants want to share a document – from an excel spreadsheet, bullet point list, to a powerpoint presentation, that they have prepared in advance of the meeting, which can be useful in illustrating issues and items for discussion.

  • Have the docs you want to share available on your screen before the meeting to avoid searching, and close other documents, wedsites, etc. On your screen to protect your privacy and the privacy of others.

  • Share screen icon – this icon usually appears at the bottom center of your zoom screen (depending upon your device), click on it to share your screen. To stop sharing screen, there is a notification at the top of the screen that will ask if you wish to stop sharing, simply click on this when you wish to return to the regular zoom screen.

  • If you are on a different screen or different document on your device, simply click the zoom icon on the bottom of your screen to return to zoom screen. This is a good thing to remember to always bring you “home” to rejoin the meeting and be able to see the other participants.

  • There are other features, however, your mediator or meeting leader will walk you through these should they be needed. The important thing is to gain a basic comfort level with zoom so it can support (rather than frustrate) your mediation process.

  • Zoom isn’t perfect. If the application is nonresponsive to a command, such as you are unable to unmute yourself after multiple attempts, simply exit the Zoom meeting, by clicking on the “Leave Meeting” option at the right corner of your screen, and then, using the same link you used to enter the meeting, come back to the meeting. This usually works to resolve an issue, as a last resort.

  • Occasionally, you may not see all the icons and options on your Zoom screen. If this happens, try to switch out of the full screen option, and more options will reappear on your computer screen. Scrolling around the corners of the screen may also help.