#WritingCommunityOnlineMeetup Moderator’s Guide

Hi, I’m Dan Pouliot. You may remember me from such tweets as, “It was just a joke” and such personalized DMs as, “Hello. How are you?”

Hey #WritingCommunity lurker. Do you want more followers? If you answered yes to any of these questions, do I have an opportunity for you? Hang on. (clears throat) Do I have an opportunity for you! Become a #WritingCommunityOnlineMeetup Moderator!

“Gee, Mr. Pouliot. I’m curious, but that sounds terrific/frightening/ confusing/maddening/ life-affirming/disgusting.”

I couldn’t agree more, Jimmy. That’s why I’ve created this simple seventy-five step Moderator’s Guide.

“Wow, that sounds easy! So I don’t have to do squat, right?”

No, Jimmy, that’s where you’re dead wrong. Your time obligation will be long and arduous. It will take you more minutes than you have fingers on your hands and feet.

“How many attendees can I expect?”

Zoom’s infinitely superior technology supports enough attendees for everyone on the planet. But don’t worry, only half of them are writers.

“Can anyone really do this?”

Zoom reminds me they haven’t tested their software on the criminally insane, but other than that, yes!

“Will I get to meet new writers and listen to their stories?”

Unfortunately, yes.


Anyone can host a #WritingCommunityOnlineMeetup. Here’s my DIY template. As a moderator, sign up at zoom.us (it’s free). You could copy & paste this template into a Google Doc or whatnot to share the details of your meetup, or heck, just to a multipart-tweet. Replace the items in italics with your meeting specifics.

Date/Time: (this is a global event)
Sunday, April 7, 2019 12:00 PM Eastern Time (GMT-4)

Required Software: Zoom
From your computer: https://zoom.us/

From your phone, download the Zoom app.

Meetings are typically 30 minutes (Zoom allows up to 40 minutes free). The moderator will adjust speaking times depending on how many show up. We want everyone to get a chance to introduce themselves and speak!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/718743582?pwd=TEYxOEVWVTZkYzNFWGR6cTE4SEJNdz09

Password: writing

One tap mobile

+16465588656,,718743582# US (New York)

+14086380968,,718743582# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location

       +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

       +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 718 743 582

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acc29NFW4k


Do I have to show my face?

No, Zoom lets you toggle your camera on or off. That said, deaf attendees might require video for lip reading purposes. So if you are willing, video would help with accessibility for all attendees.

I’m outside of the US. Can I still join?

Yes!

Agenda

0) Welcome
1) Introductions
2) Topic: your topic goes here.
3) Wrap up. Keep firm end time (30 min total) to respect people’s time

Some Agenda Ideas:
The _____ thing happened to me.
Weirdest
Funniest
Saddest
Most Wonderful
Most Tragic
Most Romantic
Most Profound

By Dan Pouliot

A New Hampshire native, Dan received his BFA in Oil Painting from UNH; his digital works are in multiple permanent collections. Dan’s been a positive psychology student/practitioner, a blogger, an amateur Remote Viewer, and now a novelist. His passion for positive thinking sets the stage for his debut young adult novel, Super Human, published by PortalStar Publishing. Dan describes Super Human as The Karate Kid meets Escape to Witch Mountain.