If you want to set up a new AA meeting in this virtual format, or you are migrating an already registered physical AA meeting to an online format, please email email hidden; JavaScript is required.

We will list it on this E&M InterGroup site to ensure that it freely accessible to any alcoholic.

Please supply

• Name, contact telephone number and email for Secretary and Link Keeper (Host)
• Name of meeting
• Time of meeting
• Format of meeting
• Relevant meeting link

It will then be registered with E&M InterGroup.

Also remember to registering with Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain

If you need technical support in setting up your ZOOM meeting please tell us in your email.

With shift to online meetings, many of us did not take time to investigate what this meant to the spiritual foundation of our recovery – namely, anonymity. Now that online meetings are accessible, we want to pass on best practices for protecting anonymity.

These have been curated from the membership and online resources.

The default Zoom settings run counter to AA’s spiritual foundation of anonymity. The meetings are publicly accessible and full names and faces are often displayed. Additionally, by default all Zoom meetings are recorded to the Cloud. Turning that feature off is simple, fortunately.

There are other settings in the Meeting subtab that can also be adjusted, such as disallowing remote control of devices, file transfer, data sharing with Zoom, and screen sharing.

Here are some suggested settings for your meeting to use. Please note that most, if not all, of the settings below are not the Zoom default:

Go to: Settings > Recording and click off the Local and Cloud recording features.

In the Zoom Settings section, under the Meeting subtab:

• Require Encryption for Third Party Endpoints
• Disable Auto saving chats
• Disable File transfer
• Disable Feedback to Zoom
• Disable Screen sharing
• Disable desktop/screen share for users
• Disable Remote control
• Allow Virtual background (this is the Zoom default and allows the user to use a virtual background instead of the inside of their apartment, for example)

In the Zoom Settings section, under the Recording subtab:

• Disable Local recording
• Disable Cloud recording
• Disable Automatic recording

ZOOM

ZOOM is a video conferencing service that allows us to hear and see each other, bringing us closer to having a genuine face-to-face meeting. Unfortunately, there can be a bit of a learning curve to using it the first time. Remember:

1. Download the Zoom App onto your device. Download Centre
2. Edit your Zoom name to maintain anonymity eg Bill W
3. Access our schedule and click or tap the link to join your chosen online meeting
4. Click or Tap “Join with Video” or “Join Without Video” depending on your preference
5. Click or Tap “Call using Internet Audio”. This is important otherwise you won’t be heard.
6. Once you are in you can mute yourself by tapping the screen, or moving your mouse over the video to see the menu, and tapping the microphone icon that looks like this:
7. Calling in and cost of calls (info can be found here)

Skype

1. Download most current version of Skype from www.skype.com
2. Create an account
3. Add contact. Type in Skype Name above and say you are a friend of Bill W. when you send the invite
4. Log in 5 minutes before the meeting time. When you see the meeting ID online, call to be added to meeting
5. Make sure when you are not speaking your microphone is muted.

Suggestions for video good meeting practices

Before your meeting, restart your phone or device. This often helps to make your meeting a better experience.

Get to the meeting early so you can connect with people, and to make sure your audio, video and microphone are working correctly.

Everyone should mute their microphone unless they want to share

Mute your phone or be in quiet space. Public places can get distracting with surrounding noise and people walking around.

If you are on your cell phone, set the phone to Do Not Disturb so other calls or notices don’t interrupt your meeting time.

Try not to walk around with your video on or audio on. It is extremely distracting.

Always try to be somewhere with good good wifi or cell data signal and try not to move around too much so you keep your connection strong.

Remember if your Video or Audio is on, we can see and hear you. Treat going to the bathroom, making food/coffee, talking to others, changing clothes or whatever else you might want to do with consideration for your privacy.

The video of yourself is not a mirror. Don’t use it as one during the meeting.

Consider your background. Be aware of your surroundings.

Wear acceptable clothing on, as if you were at a face to face meeting.

Post TEXT details of your own meetings so people can copy and paste the details.

While it is temping to do other things while muted or video is off, try not to distract yourself. Stay connected to the meeting so you and everyone else gets the most out of the experience.