Online Meeting Information

New Beginnings meets online every Thursday night at 7pm instead of at our location. We also meet online whenever we cannot meet in person on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Our virtual group is free, secure, encrypted, and private.

*Participate using the computer app*

How to set up the desktop app:

  1. Go to freeconferencecall.com, then find and download the Free Conference Call desktop app.
  2. Contact us to obtain our meeting ID. The meeting ID is the unique code that you will need to join New Beginnings meetings. The meeting ID is to be shared with New Beginnings peers only.
  3. Contact a facilitator if you need help, have questions, or want to test the app to see how it works. We’ll be glad to help!

How to join a meeting:

  1. Open the Free Conference Call desktop app and click “Join”.
  2. Enter your first name and the meeting ID (no other info necessary).
  3. Make sure “Join with computer audio” is highlighted, then click “Continue”.
  4. Click “Join the meeting”. You will be connected to our meeting.

*Participate using the cell phone app*

How to set up the phone app:

  1. Go to your app store and download the mobile app “Free Conference Call”.
  2. Click “Profile”, then “Settings”.
  3. Under “Session identity”, enter your first name (no other info is necessary).
  4. Contact us to obtain our meeting ID. The meeting ID is the unique code that you will need to join New Beginnings meetings. The meeting ID is to be shared with New Beginnings peers only.
  5. Contact a facilitator if you need help, have questions, or want to test the app to see how it works. We’ll be glad to help!

How to join a meeting:

  1. Open the Free Conference Call app on your phone and click the “Home” icon, then click “Join”.
  2. Enter the meeting ID, then click “Join meeting”.
  3. On the next screen, click “Join meeting” again. You will be connected to our meeting.

To turn on your camera so others can see you, click the video icon (it kind of looks like a video camera). Skip this step if you choose to participate by voice only, or if your internet isn’t fast enough to upload live video.

That’s it, you’re in! Just wait for the facilitator to start the meeting, and get ready to do a check-in as usual.

*If you don’t have a computer or cell phone (or prefer not to use them)*

You can still participate easily from any kind of telephone! First, dial 978-990-5054 from any phone. When prompted, enter the access code (please contact us for this code). You will then be connected to our meeting.

Meeting protocol:

  1. The Group Guidelines that organize our in person meetings apply equally in our virtual meetings. The guidelines help us have a positive group experience.
  2. We’d like to emphasize Guideline #6, “Listening”. It is difficult to see one another, and some of us will be participating by voice only, so please wait to speak until the facilitator calls on you.
  3. When you are not speaking, please put your microphone on mute by clicking the microphone icon in the app window. This helps control static caused by ambient noises. Just remember to turn your mic back on before you speak again!

We hope to see you online soon!

Our group is not equipped to help someone in crisis.

If you have an emergency or feel like hurting yourself or others, do one of the following NOW:

New Beginnings Peer Support

You are not alone!