Still so much to learn

Things I have learnt during our online meetings:

• Turn off the chat and share-screen features at the beginning of the meeting.

• Teach your unit to use the mute feature, and ask that they keep themselves on mute unless called upon.

• Have the girl's teach each other. With members using various phones, laptops and other devices, I don't always know the answers. When we were originally figuring out settings, I had them teaching each other how to find different functions such as giving a thumbs up or changing their backgrounds. It's been a great way for them to share their knowledge and also makes things easier on me!

• Things will go wrong, and that's okay.

• Programmed activities will take longer than usual (and honestly, this is no different than our regular meetings).

• Try to keep some of your regular unit traditions when possible. We all wear Guide uniform and are continuing to sing our opening and closing songs, even though our timing never matches up.

• Have some quick activities ready to go in case you need a filler or a change of activity, just like at a regular meeting. Things that have worked well for us are Pictionary and a Kim's game. 

• End every meeting with a reminder on properly turning closing down Zoom, not just walking away from the iPad or closing the laptop screen.

What advice do you have for online meetings?