Meeting Guidelines

Online Video Meeting Guidelines

Zoom Meetings

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Introduction

• Meetings are based on the "3-S" Philosophy of Sobriety, Secularity, and Self-Help. See this link for more information. 

• The Convenor is the host of the meeting and controls the flow and speaking times of the individuals in the meeting. The convenor will occasionally appoint others (co-host) to help out in the meeting. If the meeting becomes big enough (~ 16 or more people) the convenor might choose to use “Breakout Rooms” to create additional smaller meetings for the group.

• Meetings are normally one hour long, but the convenor and others will frequently stay afterward if demand warrants it.

• Meetings can be formatted in the following ways:

  • How was your week? (HWYW) - This format is used for the majority of the meetings. The attendee checks in with their first name and, if they want, recovery time. They then talk about their past week in recovery and whether there is anything coming up in the following week related to recovery which may be worrisome or exciting.

  • Topic meeting - Usually reserved for smaller groups or for special meetings. The convenor or attendees will introduce a recovery topic to discuss during the meeting.

  • WorkBook Meeting (WB) - These meetings are based on LifeRing’s Recovery by Choice, A Workbook which offers a structured approach for the recovering person to build an abstinence-based “Personal Recovery Program (PRP).

• LifeRing supports cross-talk. Questions, ideas, supportive feedback, and positive experiences shared from your own recovery are welcome. Sometimes listening to others and knowing you are not alone in your recovery offers comfort and strength. Please refrain from offering advice and use “I” statements rather than “you should” statements.  

 

 

Controlling the flow of the meeting.

• Since the quality of the connections over the internet varies with each person, the convenor will turn off the mikes of those people who are not speaking. Therefore, during the check-ins (HWYW format), it’s best to mute your connection while others are checking in.  You can indicate (make some visible sign, raise your hand, or type in chat) if you wish to respond with positive, supportive cross-talk and the convenor will acknowledge you.

• The convenor might need to turn off your mic when you are not talking and possibly your video if deemed necessary. This is to prevent disruption in the online meeting environment. The convenor can remove someone from the meeting if an extreme case warrants it. We want to provide an open, non-judgemental meeting where everyone can participate in a free manner.  If you’re not actively sharing, please mute your mic so as not to distract others with background noise.

• Additional examples of when the convenor might need to turn off an attendee’s video or sound or remove an attendee from the meeting.

  • Attendee is having a conversation with someone in their location or on the phone. If the conversation is in person, and the attendee is not wearing headphones, they should turn off the sound so the meeting cannot be overheard.

  • Something inappropriate visible in the background. e.g. a naked child, someone drinking.

  • Attendee is being abusive or disruptive to other meeting participants or the convenor. (e.g. critical/non-constructive feedback, personally attacking other individuals at the meeting, continuing a disruptive behavior after being advised to stop, etc.)

  • Use of alcohol, drugs, or smoking/vaping on camera. 

 

Zoom Chat Box Policy

• Conduct yourself as you would while talking in the meeting. If it wouldn’t be appropriate to say in the meeting then it isn't appropriate to type it in chat.

 

Time Management

• Please be mindful of the number of people in attendance and adjust your speaking time to allow everyone a chance to participate. The convenor may manage the time as well.

 

When to be silent at a meeting

• If you are under the influence of alcohol or non medically indicated drugs, we appreciate the courage that it takes to attend but we ask that you please remain silent during the meeting. Please identify yourself using chat and indicate if you would like to speak with members afterward if they are available.

 

Outside Attendees

• If you are not in recovery but would like to attend the meeting, please identify yourself and tell the group why you are there.

 

Anonymity - This is the internet and things can happen beyond our control

• If there is a concern, please change your screen name and leave your camera off. Use voice only. You may also choose to phone into the meeting.

• Please feel free to share what you have learned in the meeting but please do not do or say anything that could reveal who was present there.

• Use headphones or be somewhere where the meeting cannot be overheard.

• LifeRing does not record recovery meetings.

 

Verification of attendance

• The convenor (person in charge of the meeting) will post a link during the meeting to a URL that links to a Google form that you will need to complete for meeting verification (If the convenor forgets to post the link, please remind the convenor before the meeting is over). Fill out the form, then click on the “Submit” button. 

• A “Meeting Attendance Verification” letter stating that you attended the meeting in question will be emailed to the email address you provided in the Google form you filled out. Please wait a day or two after the meeting is over for the email verification letter to arrive.

• Meeting Attendance Verifications are only sent for attending one of the scheduled meetings, we cannot issue verification for time spent in the 24-hour Chat Room outside of scheduled meetings.

• If the convenor did not post a verification attendance form link for a meeting you've attended, please email service@lifering.org with your screen name, the convenor's name, the day, and time of the meeting in question. The Google form link will be sent to your email address. 

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 For any questions, please email chat@lifering.org.