FAQ

WHAT is ZOOM: ZOOM is an internet-based video conferencing solution.

What It Does: Provides video and telephone conferencing.

Why Might You Consider Using ZOOM When There is JW Stream? The makeup of congregations varies. When speaking to publishers some congregations have found that as many from 25%-40 percent could not access JW Stream or didn’t understand how it worked. In this case a simpler conferencing system like ZOOM that can use telephone connections may be worth investigating.

What Will ZOOM Allow Me to do? ZOOM provides a simplified way to broadcast live streamed content to publishers who are not comfortable with or cannot access JW Stream. Using ZOOM you can give live talks, make announcements and choose to stream all or portions of content downloaded from JW Stream. By holding a ZOOM meeting at a congregation’s regular date and times it encourages publishers to stay within a spiritual routine while complying with government suggestions to limit public gatherings.

How Does It Work? Congregation members are provided a phone number, along with a Meeting ID to join a meeting (similar to KHCONF). Or, congregation members can receive a link through email or text message which will install an app onto their device (Windows, Android or Apple product) and connect to the meeting.

How Much Does It Cost? Pricing starts at $14.99 per month, you can cancel at any time. And can hold unlimited meetings during the month. This pricing will allow 100 connections. Multiple people can be at a single location. A typical congregation of 130 publishers may use up to 80-90 connections during a weekend meeting. The next level of pricing is $64.99 and supports up to 500 connections.

What Will You Need to Use It? It requires someone with internet access and a computing device to serve as the meeting ‘Host’. The meeting Host installs the ZOOM software on their computer. The Host also sets up the meeting, may send invitations out for the meeting, and controls what the attendees see and hear during the meeting. The Host needs a basic understanding of how to use computer software on their computing device.

What Do the Friends Need to Attend A Meeting? The friends will need a phone to be able to hear the meeting. Friends with a smart phone, tablet (Android & Apple), Windows or Apple computer with the ZOOM application installed, will be able to hear the meeting and see any optional video being displayed. If friends have pre-paid cell plans and are worried about using up their minutes, they can choose to use wi-fi to connect to the meetings either through wi-fi calling or by using the ZOOM client.

Dial in attendees can dial appropriate number for your country followed by the Meeting ID. This is like using the Kingdom Hall conferencing system (KHConf). To find the dial in number for your location, please visit ZOOM Dial in Number list. You may select to purchase a toll-free number from ZOOM.

How Long Can Meetings Be? Each meeting can be 24 hours long. There is no additional charge based on meeting duration. There is no additional charge based on number of meetings held during the month.

Is it Secure? All meetings are transmitted securely, and optional passwords can be used for additional security.

How many hosts are required for a meeting? Answer depends of of the meeting size. If the meeting is small, one host can easily run the it. For meetings with more than 50 attendees, at least one Co-Host is recommended. Host and Co-Host can share meeting management (Spotlight speaker, mute/unmute & request to start or turn off video). If the Host goes offline during the meeting, Co-Host will be automatically promoted as Host.