MEETING Do I have to turn my camera on in an online AA meeting? Can I just listen?
Short answer: In most online meetings, no. You can keep your camera off, stay muted and just listen. Nobody has to speak, and nobody has to show their face to be welcome.
Your camera
- Most meetings let you keep your camera off. Plenty of people do, especially the first few times.
- Some hosts ask to see you for a moment — just to know there's a real person behind the profile picture. Once they've seen you, you can turn your camera back off.
- A few groups ask for cameras on for the whole meeting, often closed meetings, women's or men's meetings, or groups that have had trouble with disruptions. The host usually says so at the start or in the waiting room. If you're not ready, it's fine to leave and try another meeting.
- You can change the name others see. In Zoom, tap your name (or "Rename") and use a first name or an initial. That's normal in recovery meetings.
Speaking, or not
- You don't have to share. If the leader calls on you, "I'll just listen today" or "I pass" is a complete answer.
- Newcomers are often invited to raise a hand and say a first name — sometimes a sobriety date. That's optional. You don't have to raise your hand or say anything.
- Small meetings notice new faces. In a meeting of a handful of people, someone will probably say hello and may ask you a question or two — they're glad you came. If you'd rather sit quietly, a bigger meeting is easier: in a large room nobody will single you out.
- Stay muted unless you're talking — the host may mute everyone anyway.
A few things that help
- Download Zoom first (it's free). You don't need a Zoom account to join a meeting.
- Join a couple of minutes early. Some meetings open a waiting room before they start.
- "Open" meetings are for anyone. "Closed" meetings are for people who want to stop drinking — if that's you, you're welcome.
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