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Technical Help for Zoom Groups

Before attending an Online Support Group

You must download, install, and test Zoom in advance before your first meeting. To join a test meeting, click here. Log into Zoom with your Google or Facebook account. If you don’t have a Google or Facebook account, sign up for a free account and log in.

If you are new to Zoom or would like to learn more, scroll down to the Help and Training section.

Procedure for attending an Online Support Group

Joining the Support Group:

  • At least fifteen minutes before the group is scheduled to start, go to the homepage to see which group to join, e.g. Young Adults. (Click here for the schedule and information on how to join.).
  • Email Zoominfo@dbsaboston.org for the meeting password.
  • Please join the meeting on time or a few minutes in advance.
  • If you get a message that the meeting is locked, please look at the schedule and see if there is an overflow group that you can join.
  • Wear a headset or earphones for privacy, or go to a solitary place.

During the Support Group:

  • Mute yourself, and turn on your camera, at least till the end of check-in.
  • If needed, rename yourself with your first name, by clicking the Participants icon at the bottom of your screen.
  • Listen to the guidelines read by the facilitator. Please follow these throughout the meeting. If you disagree, please leave the meeting.
  • Use the chat function only to get help from the facilitator. Do not use it otherwise, unless asked to by the facilitator. You can chat privately with other participants before the meeting, during the halfway break, and after the meeting.
  • Keep yourself muted to prevent background noise and feedback. Raise your hand electronically to speak (scroll down below for instructions), and when asked to speak by the facilitator, unmute yourself, and then speak. After speaking, mute yourself again.

Leaving the Support Group:

  • When you are ready to leave the meeting, click on Leave Meeting at the bottom of your screen.

Raising Hands in an Online Support Group

Raising Hands electronically has these advantages:

  • The host can see in the Participants panel the order in which group members have raised their hands. As members take turns talking, the host (or they themselves) can lower their hand, and the next person with their hand raised in the queue will move up in the list for the host.
  • It helps the host be fair to participants.
  • The participants’ hands don’t get tired keeping them raised physically.

How to raise hands and Manage hands

Troubleshooting Zoom Issues

If you are having audio issues (not able to connect, the volume level is too low, choppy audio, etc.) click here to troubleshoot. If the issue is still not resolved, you can keep your video connection, mute your audio, and dial in through the phone line for audio.

If you are having video issues, click here to troubleshoot. If you are still having video issues, simply dial in by phone.

Email TechHelp@dbsaboston.org if you have any further questions or issues.