Free Resources to Facilitate Your Groups:
We understand picking the best online meeting resource for your group can be a difficult task. When weighing the value of different resources we ask you to consider the following metrics: accessibility and functionality, as they pertain specifically to your group.
Accessibility pertains to who attends your meetings, or who you would like to attend your meetings, and which platform they can most easily utilize.
Functionality pertains to the content and structure of your meetings and which platform best meets the goals of your meetings.
Moderation tools; your ability to mute participants microphones, move participants out of conservations, or ban them entirely, are an aspect of functionality. All of the following resources have these tools for facilitators.
If you facilitate more than one group you may find different resources are needed for each group.
If there is a resource you use or know of that you would like to add to the list please contact programs@lgbtqcenter.org.
These resources are listed alphabetically with staff notes on accessibility, functionality, and getting started. Center staff are available to help you select and get started on any of the following resources at programs@lgbtqcenter.org.
The highlighted resources are the simplest for a facilitator and group to use in terms of immediate accessibility. These tools may or may not meet your groups short term or long term functionality needs.
Discord: https://discordapp.com/
Summary: Discord takes a few moments for facilitators to learn, but is powerful tool.
Accessibility: Discord requires individuals to create usernames and communicate that username to their group facilitators. Group facilitators will require a few moments to familiarize themselves with the format of discord to successfully invite individuals to meetings and moderate the space. Facilitators are welcome to use the center’s discord server to host meetings, after requesting the code from staff, eliminating a few steps from the process.
Functionality: Discord is a one stop shop for all types of virtual meetings; supporting text, audio, and video calls. Presenters can share their screens to show powerpoint presentations or other educational materials. Movies, video games, and interactive media can be streamed into meetings. Meetings, workshops, panels, or events can be streamed from Discord onto platforms like youtube.com and twitch.tv for others to see live or later.
Instructions:
Facilitators
Please contact staff at programs@lgbtqcenter.org with the subject line: hosting group on Discord.
If you are utilizing an existing server with an existing username and know how you would like to set permissions for new people entering the group please let staff know how to direct new attendees to your group.
If you would like to use the center’s server please let staff know which group you will be facilitating and your username and four digit code so you can be granted facilitator privileges and staff can make your group a private room.
Moderation tools: https://support.discordapp.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001987272-Verified-Server-Moderation-Guidelines
Attendees
Download and install the app “Discord” to whatever device you’d like to use. You can also simply use their web page at https://discordapp.com/
Make a Discord account
Check the event information to see what Discord Server the meeting is on.
The LGBTQ Center’s server uses the code QXWHUsS. Other servers will use different codes you should get from your group facilitator if the group is not using the center’s server.
In the center’s server comment in the “Lobby” which group you’re seeking to join. A staff member of facilitator will add you to that private group. In other servers you may be directly added to the group meeting space. Check with your group facilitator if you have questions.
Free Conference Call: https://www.freeconferencecall.com/
Accessibility: Free Conference Call provides two separate virtual meeting options: conference calls on the telephone and online meetings with optional screen sharing for presenters. Hosts of conference calls must make accounts, attendees do not. Hosts and attendees of online meetings must download the online meeting application. The online meeting application works optimally with the google chrome internet browser. Online meeting hosts and attendees should consider additionally downloading the google chrome internet browser to avoid additional troubleshooting steps.
Functionality: The two services operate entirely separately on the attendees end and should be treated as such. Once the facilitator makes an account both services can be utilized. Meetings can be recorded.
Facilitator Instructions for both services
https://www.freeconferencecall.com/host-instructions
Moderator Tools: https://www.freeconference.com/feature/moderator-controls/
Attendee Instructions for both services
https://www.freeconferencecall.com/participant-instructions
FreeConferenceCalling.com: https://www.freeconferencecalling.com/
Accessibility: Hosts make an account. Attendees do not.
Functionality: Conference call via the telephone. Meetings can be recorded. This platform does not have moderation tools.
Facilitator instructions:
https://www.freeconferencecalling.com/hosting-faq.html
List of tools: https://www.freeconferencecalling.com/conference-definitions.html
Attendee Instructions:
Wait for your group facilitator to provide you with a date and time, conference dial in number, and the six digit conference code you will be prompted to enter when you call the dial in number.
Google Hang Outs: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-hangouts/
Accessibility: Google Hangouts requires the use of the google chrome internet browser and a gmail account for both facilitators and participants. Once downloaded the user will be greeted with instructions.
Functionality: Supports messaging, voice calls, and video calls with large groups. In this platform there is no distinction between facilitators and participants, negating moderation abilities.
Skype: https://www.skype.com/en/
Accessibility: Skype is a Microsoft video chat and video conference product. While it is possible to create and join skype meetings without a Microsoft account, you will encounter many prompts to create a Microsoft account and some prompts to allow Microsoft products default access to your camera and microphone. While it is possible to create and join skype meetings without downloading the skype application to your computer. You will encounter prompts to do so.
Functionality: If you choose to create a Microsoft account and download the skype application it can be used for text messaging, phone calls, and video calls with other people who download skype. Otherwise it acts as a video conference platform where a host sends an invite link to attendees.
Instructions for Attendees and Facilitators:
https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA11098/how-do-i-get-started-with-skype
Moderation tools: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/skype/forum/all/skype-room-moderation-listener-role-read-only/71b71414-c3ab-425d-96e5-283809e0c790
UberConference: www.uberconference.com
Accessibility: Limited to 10 participants or less. Facilitators must create account. Attendees do not. No downloads required.
Functionality: Video calls and conference calls on the telephone. Similar to free conference call these are two separate services.
Attendee and Facilitator instructions
https://help.uberconference.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001307986-Start-or-Join-a-Conference
Moderator Tools: https://help.uberconference.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001552726-Mute-Participants
Zoom: https://zoom.us/
Accessibility: Facilitators do not need to make an account as the center has one. Attendees simply need to click on the link provided.
Functionality: Video conferencing and screen sharing.
Instructions
Facilitator
Contact programs staff at programs@lgbtqcenter.org to receive information about the center’s zoom account.
Moderator tools: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362603-Host-and-Co-Host-Controls-in-a-Meeting
Attendees
Wait to receive a meeting link from the facilitator, center’s website, or center’s social media. Click on the link at the time of the meeting.