Zoom Instructions

On this page you will first find the instructions to join a Zoom meeting and then a short explanation of how to use the tool in the meeting.

How to join a Zoom meeting

Best option: start from your laptop or desktop computer.

There are two ways:

  1. Click on the link you have received via e-mail. Usually you also need to enter the meeting password that is in that same e-mail.
  2. Go to www.zoom.us and click on “Join Meeting”. There you need to enter the meeting ID that was provided in the e-mail. Usually you also need to enter the meeting password that is in that same e-mail.

Then you will see a popup asking to download the Zoom app. This provides the best experience, so download it if you can.

Alternative: join via a browser

  • Preferably Chrome because you can join via the audio of your computer; if you use Firefox, Safari, Edge or Internet Explorer, you need to call in via telephone.
  • Do this by clicking on the link “If you cannot download or run the application, start from your browser.” in the window with the popup to download the app.

Second best option: join via tablet (or smartphone)

You need to download the Zoom app:

There you need to enter the meeting ID that was provided in the e-mail. Usually you also need to enter the meeting password that is in that same e-mail.

Note: you can also use your smartphone. However, smartphones have a small screen that makes it hard to read the slides.

Important

  • Use only one microphone and speaker per physical location in order to avoid interference. Preferably a headset!
  • Test your audio by clicking on the link or button with that name (after going through the previous steps).

Participating in a Zoom session

This is a screenshot of the controls at the bottom of your screen.

  • Mute / Unmute: mute yourself in large groups to avoid interference. You can communicate via the chat. In small groups and breakout rooms you can turn on your microphone to speak.
  • Start Video / Stop Video: stop your video in large groups (for bandwidth reasons). In small groups and breakout rooms you can turn on your webcam. Remark: if you are having connection problems turn the webcam off.
  • Invite: you can invite other people (not used in sessions organized or hosted by The Compassionate Leader. People are invited via other ways).
  • Participants: you can see a list of participants.
  • Share screen (not available in all browsers): usually disabled in large meetings. Available in breakout rooms.
  • Chat: this is the way to communicate in large meetings. You can send a message to everyone or to specific people.
  • Record (not available in browsers): is not available for participants. The host might record the session.
  • Reactions (not available in browsers): quick way of giving feedback with emoticons.
  • Leave meeting: you can leave the meeting

Participating in Break Out Rooms

In some sessions the participants will be divided in small groups to discuss a certain topic. This is how it works:

  • The host creates these small groups and will share instructions plus how much time is allotted.
  • You will be placed automatically in a breakout room. You will be notified and need to press a button to join the breakout room.
  • When you are in the breakout room, you can turn your audio and video on (buttons: Unmute and Start Video). Make sure you have selected the right audio source (preferably your headset to avoid interference, see image on the right).
  • On top of the screen you will see a timer with the time left. Once the time is up, all participants will receive a notification.
  • Unless the host extends the time, the rooms will close and you will automatically join the main room again.
  • Please turn off your audio and video in the main room.

Remarks:

  • If you need any assistance in a breakout room, please click the “Ask for help” button.
  • You can always leave a breakout room yourself and return to the main room by clicking “Leave Breakout Room”.
  • Are you logged in via a browser? Sometimes people make the mistake of closing their browser instead of “leaving the room”. If that is the case you can come back by logging in again via the link or the meeting ID you have received.

Extra information about Zoom

If any of the steps on this page are not clear, please send us an e-mail via connect at thecompassionateleader.org so we can adapt them for future users.