Life Re-Zooms in WREA

Rick Oakden, President, Westman Retired Educators’ Association 2020-21

The Westman Retired Educators’ Association, like other RTAM chapters, has struggled to maintain the organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the last eight months, or so, we have used the online Zoom platform to host our Executive and planning meetings and have adapted to Zoom with some success. Hopefully, other chapters are already using Zoom, but if not, we encourage you to try it out.

We have learned a few things about Zoom that I will share. Yes, it is ‘free’ and can be used without fees, but that requires reconnecting after the forty minute limit for meetings held gratis. Once all members have re-Zoomed, you can continue the discussion. Currently, if cut-off after forty minutes, members can re-enter the meeting by clicking again on the invitational link they received to enter the first time. It is likely best to have a paid, Zoom membership which allows meetings of any length.

Some tips:

Before the meeting • email your agenda to participants before the meeting • stay close to your Wi-Fi router for best results • turn off nearby radios, TV’s, cellphones or other noisemaking devices • turn up the speaker volume and the microphone volume on your device before you start • place your camera carefully to show you squareon (like the CNN hosts & guests) • sit in lighting that allows your face to be clearly seen • use a device with the largest screen you can (to see more people at the meeting) • schedule at least one ‘comfort break’ • During the meeting • use either your own hand-wave to signal you want to talk or use the Zoom on-screen hand symbol • wait for your host to cue you to speak • remember to unmute yourself before speaking • expect some odd pauses and slight delays in transmission • be brief • stay on topic • help your leader to keep the discussion relevant and flowing

The Host of the Zoom meeting, likely the chapter President, will need to become familiar with Zoom. If hosting a meeting for the first time, you may want to try a test run by hosting a mini-meeting with one friend to work out the kinks. If you are using the ‘Waiting Room’ feature, remember, the host has to let the invitees in by ‘Admitting’ them one at a time. The host should also learn how to mute and unmute all participants.

Curious? Start by Googling ‘Zoom.ca’ and register for an account. Then open your account, find the “Meeting” tab, click, find the “Personal Rooms” tab, click, and then find “Start”, click. Wait a few seconds for it to load and then start exploring the features of Zoom. You are in a private meeting with yourself, but could invite someone to join you by sending them an ‘invitation’. Explore … you will figure it out.

WREA is planning to hold its first ever “WREA Christmas Concert” in December 2020 by using the Zoom platform! The initial planning was done at a Zoom meeting in early November, and, hopefully, when you read this many of WREA’s members will have enjoyed sharing Christmas stories, anecdotes, songs and even a visit from Santa, all while Zooming at home and being COVID-cautious! 