Since groups meeting virtually is new for most people, they aren’t accustomed to how to behave. Adults are veterans in social settings, but this online thing is all new. To avoid bad habits setting in it’s good to coach your members on good online conduct. After your group has experienced two or three meetings it’s time for everyone to up their game. Share these tips of “DO’s” and the following list of “DON’TS” with your group members and perhaps revisit them from time to time as necessary. It might be best to email this list out with the heading: “Preparing for a Great Meeting Experience”.

THE DO’s

Practice Good Manners
Take your turn and don’t interrupt, it’s not polite!
Speak Clearly
Not every microphone and not every speaker on every device picks you up perfectly, but if you annunciate you will be heard!
Be Yourself
An online small group is not a TV show and you’re not an actor. Most of the time in life we can’t see ourselves talking. But thanks (or no thanks) to online platforms we can. Just relax and don’t worry about how you look.
Eye Contact
When it’s your turn to share, look into your camera, it makes participants think you looking right at them.
Dress Appropriately
Don’t show up to small group in your jammies—at least not in your pajama top!
Chat
Make use of online chat features if your platform offers it—but don’t be distracting with that chat!
Have a Great Time!
Small group isn’t supposed to feel like a chore, and neither is an online small group!

THE DON’T’s

Don’t Shout
Even if a member of your small group is in a different country the internet will make you heard—shouting won’t help.
Don’t Talk Over the Speakers
Online group platforms tend to either switch screens to the speaker or allow only one
Don’t Carry On Side Conversations
This happens when two or more people are sharing a device or make use of a chat feature and are obviously not listening to the person speaking.
Don’t Turn Off Your Camera
When someone turns off their camera I assume they are checking out. Sure, sometimes nature calls, and turning off your camera and microphone are a really good idea. But if you’re getting a snack it can wait.
Don’t Multitask
Look at the camera or the screen, don’t text on another device, read email, or check social media. It shouldn’t have to be said, but we all know people who do it or have done it our- selves—don’t meet while driving!
Don’t Invite Your Pets
It seems like a rule of nature that if you have a dog, someone will eventually come to the door and the dog will start barking. Cats often walk around. The sounds and movements of your pets (even the cute ones) can be distracting. If possible, put pets away during the group meeting.
Don’t Eat
There’s nothing like a close up of someone shoveling food into their mouth. If at all possible, eat before or after but not during an online group.