Try one of these free alternatives.
(Last reviewed December 20, 2021) During these trying times, TOPS understands that members may not feel comfortable meeting in person or may not be able to meet due to restrictions placed on your chapter by your meeting place or by order of authorities in your area. Here are some alternative ways to meet, listed in no particular order.
Zoom
Zoom is an online platform you can use for personal meetings. Members can join using computers, tablets, smartphones or just listen in by telephone.
According to their website, their basic plan is free and features:
- Host up to 100 participants
- 40-minute maximum group meetings (Don't worry, you can't go over time because your meeting will automatically end when the 40 minutes is reached.)
- Unlimited one-on-one meetings, with a 30 hour time limit per meeting.
- Free, forever. No credit cards required.
FreeConferenceCall.com
According to their website, anyone can receive a FreeConferenceCall.com account instantly with just an email and password.
- Once you sign up, you will be provided with a Dial-in Number and Access Code for immediate conferencing, and an Online Meeting ID for hosting meetings with Screen Sharing and Video Conferencing.
- Your account is available to you 24/7 and there is no need to schedule or make any reservations.
- Each audio conference can accommodate up to 1,000 callers on an unlimited number of free conference calls.
- Visit their website for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
Google Meet
Google Meet, formerly known as Google Hangouts, allows free video conferencing and can be accessed just by signing in to Google using your existing account.
According to their website, their free plan allows you to:
- Host up to 100 participants
- Meet up to 60 minutes per meeting
- No software to download for desktop or laptop computers - just join using any modern web browser!
- Smartphone or tablet users can join with the free app.
- Anyone with an existing Google account (including Gmail, Google Photos, YouTube and other Google products) can begin using Google Meet once signed in.
- New Google users can sign up for free.
- Instructions for holding video meetings are on the Google Meet website.
These are only a few of the sites your chapter can choose to use. Mention of any brand name in TOPS materials is not an endorsement of the brand or its products/services.