Move Your Group Online
Changing lanes in traffic can be difficult, but this does not have to be. The inconveniences abound but community can’t stop. We want to help our groups make the move online so that they can walk through this together. Here is what you need to know to make it happen.
Technology. You need a way to communicate throughout the week and a meeting platform to connect during your meeting time. Check out details on Remote Platforms for some good options.
Contact Your Group. Reach out and let your group know what you’re doing. Here is a simple script you can do to set it up and let them know what is going on. Feel free to send them some Ground Rules for Online Groups as well to set some expectations for the meet up.
Hi Gang!
We’re going to meet online as a group this week for the first time, and we’re very excited! To get us all prepped and ready, I wanted to email you some instructions to help everyone out.
Tonight, we’ll meet online at _______. We won’t begin the meeting officially till _______, because we want to give about 10 minutes to ensure everyone is set up and running properly, since it’s our first time as a group doing so.
The platform we’re going to use is ___________.
To get set up quickly, see if you can download the software ahead of time, to have it ready to go. It will involve setting up a free account with it just to get you in the door and registered with them. If not, when you click on the link, the software will prompt you to download at that time. Please say “Yes”. If you click on the link well ahead of the meeting time, you’ll get a blank screen and not much more. So, try to wait till just before our start time to click the meeting link.
The best way to join will be through a computer or tablet device, just to see everyone clearly. Try not to use your phone for this. We want to see you and hear from you when we meet!
Take Attendance. Make sure that when you get your attendance like usual you let us know who you are connecting with and how it went. Include everyone in your group that you are connecting with throughout the week even if they were not able to make the meeting. This way we know we are taking care of as many people as possible. Be sure to let us know what platform you're using and how it is working for your group. If there is anything your group is doing to build community, please pass it along to your campus small group champion so it can be shared with other small groups.