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Hosting Virtual Meetings

4. Virtual Meetings With Skype

4.1. Before the Meeting

This chapter assumes you've done the previous setup steps. To get setup with Skype, you'll want to do the following (assuming Windows 10 for much for much of this; see the Skype homepage for more help):

  1. Visit the Skype homepage and download the client appropriate for your system. If you're using iOS or Android, use the appropriate app store to download Skype. For Windows 10, you can use the Microsoft Store to download Skype.
  2. For Windows: If you downloaded Skype from the homepage link above, run the executable and step through the installation process. 
  3. Open Skype. 
    1. In Windows 10, you can click on the Start Button, then type in Skype to find it. Click on it once to open it. This should also work in Windows 8 and 7.
  4. When Skype opens, you'll have a "Sign in or create" account button. If you have an existing Skype or Microsoft account, you can use that here. If not, you can select "Create one!" to create a Microsoft account for use in Skype.
  5. The process will also have you test your microphone, headset, and webcam - it's recommended you do this, but you can go into the Triple dot menu > Settings > Audio & Video to configure and test them later if you need to.
  6. To create a new group, you can select New Chat > New Group Chat.
    1. Give the chat a name, then select the next arrow.
    2. If you have existing contacts to add, you can do so now by checking them, then selecting Done. If not, just select Done.
    3. Select the Add to Group button (looks like a person with a plus next to it). 
    4. Select Share link to join group. 
    5. Enable the Share group via link option, then select Copy to clipboard. 
  7. Send the copied link to your club.

For everyone else, they just need to use that link and follow steps 1-5 to get setup and joined to the room.

Some other steps that can help:

  • Establish a support team that can respond to issues behind the scenes. These should be computer savvy members that are good at troubleshooting and communicating technical instructions clearly and patiently.
  • Everyone with a timed role should be equipped with an on-screen timer, or other timing device handy. A smartphone app can work as well.