Zoom Host

Host Duties

No Abstinence requirement needed to chair a meeting

Hosts should use a computer (rather than a mobile device) and be trained in basic hosting and security.

If you are unable to host on a given day, there are people who are trained and willing to fill in. The host should ask someone familiar with Zoom to co-host at the beginning of the meeting. This is necessary to prevent the meeting from being ended if the host loses their Internet connection.

Contact info@oabridge.org to sign up to host.

  1. Arrive 15 minutes before the meeting.
  2. Claim Host. Please ask another host for the host key. (Because this document is posted
    on our website, we are not including it here.)
    • Assign a Cohost. This person can help you with the waiting room if needed.
      • Importantly, the Cohost will become Host if you lose your Internet connection, so the meeting won’t end.
    • Make the Leader a Cohost if they will be screen sharing.
  3. Choose Security Settings under Security Tab.
    • Enable the waiting room.
    • Notice the other permissions in case you need to disable them in the event of an intruder.
  4. Admit people from the waiting room.
    • If you suspect you have a meeting disruptor, watch them once they are in the room and eject them if (and only if) they are disruptive. (A Cohost can be helpful.)
    • Pin new names with no video until you know they are safe. This way, they will stay at the top in gallery view for easy removal.
  5. Ask for a volunteer to be timer.
    • We are using the timer under apps in Zoom. (If participants can’t see “apps”, check that they have access to meeting timers under Security.
    • Small meetings sometimes allow longer than 3 minutes .
  6. Open a browser tab to the OA 12 Steps. Open another tab to the reading selected by the Leader unless the Leader will screen share this.
  7. Screen share the OA 12 Steps when the Leader calls for them to be read.
  8. Screen share the reading, likewise.
    • If you don’t have the reading in digital form, someone else probably does. You will need to make that person a cohost so they can display the reading.
  9. It is the Group Conscience that the Host and Co-hosts don’t lower members hands till after they are done sharing.
  10. If you are leaving before everyone else in the after meeting, please be sure that someone else is assigned Host, or your exit will end the fellowship.
  11. The following are suggestions to post in the chat during the meeting. You can post them together or separately, as you wish. (Please note that people who enter the meeting late are not able to view posts made before they entered the room.
  12. Bridge Chat Post Suggestions
    • Welcome! We are glad you are here.
    • New to the Bridge?
      • You can find your way back to this meeting and to our other meetings at our website https://oabridge.org
      • Below are links to two OA pamphlets that will help you get started:
        • Where Do I Start? Everything a Newcomer Needs to Know
          https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2022/06/22222141/where-do-i-start-everythinga-newcomer-needs-to-know.pdf
        • And Your Journey Begins
          https://oa.org/and-your-journey-begins
    • 7th Tradition
      • We are self-supporting according to OA’s 7th Tradition. Contributions can be made via
        PayPal (@oabridge) or Venmo (@cindy2a – phone number ends in 1804). Please put ‘Bridge 7th Tradition’ in the description.
        If using PayPal, select Family and Friends.
      • Questions can be directed to Cindy A, our treasurer, at treasurer@oabridge.org
    • WhatsApp Group
      • We have a WhatsApp group where we stay connected between meetings. To join, send your Name, phone number and email to whatsapp@oabridge.org, so we can add you to the group.
      • If you don’t already have Whatsapp, you will need to download it from your app store. It’s free.
    • After the Meeting
      • Please stay after the meeting and join us in “The Parking Lot.” It’s a great place to ask questions, get extra support, be of service, and just enjoy the fellowship.
    • That’s it! Have fun, ask questions if you don’t know, and as always, thank you for your service.
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