Taking that all under advisement, we thought we’d facilitate the next best thing- virtual meet-ups! Virtual meet-ups can happen any time, among any group that shares an interest, and at absolutely no cost to you. Today’s video conference software options also make virtual meet-ups easy and reliable to arrange.
So…. drumroll… this new forum will provide access to a video conferencing service that makes it possible for us to have real-time face-to-face video meetings with folks living anywhere in the world. You’ll be able to join a meeting with the option to share your computer web cam- meaning you will appear live in a video feed on others’ screens, your audio, and even your computer screen. All these options, as well as the username you choose, will be fully under your control - which means you can chose NOT to share your screen and even be mute if you want (although your username will always tell others you are in the room).
We’re thrilled to announce that the service will make it possible for meetings with as few as 2 and as many as 100 participants to happen at most any time you decide to organize them!
For those old enough to remember The Brady Bunch, here's what a meeting might look like:
We are rolling out this exciting new option in two phases:
- -In the first phase, we will make available various video conferencing “rooms” that anyone can use to schedule and run a group meeting. We envision members initiating these by posting invitation threads on this forum, generating sufficient interest, and then announcing a theme and time for each meeting. The theme might be geographic (i.e., a defined location in the U.S. or abroad), or topical (e.g., “chat about supplements” or “chat about dietary strategies” or any other topic). Members joining a geographic-based meet-up might decide at some point that they want to continue the conversation offline in an actual live meeting- an initiative that they can organize among themselves. The recent UK threads here and here are an excellent example of the type of meet-ups we'd like to promote.
-In the second phase, we will add live webinars with invited experts! These meetings will be offered live at a specific time, with the opportunity to engage in live Q&A and a large capacity for attendance. Webinars will also be recorded and posted on the forum for later viewing.
Sincerely yours,
The Conference Committee