Virtual Caravans
The Virtual Caravans are weekly Zoom discussions about the nomad lifestyle. The Virtual Caravan meetings are an opportunity to join and build community for those unable to attend HOWA’s in-person events.
Virtual Caravans Offered (all are PACIFIC times) —
- Sunday at 8:30AM — Women’s
- Sunday at 10:30AM — Men’s
- Sunday at 4:30PM — All Gender
- Tuesday at 4:30PM — All Gender
- Thursday at 4:30PM — All Gender
FORMAT:
- The first 30 minutes is an open discussion focused on the nomadic lifestyle.
- The next 60 minutes is a discussion managed by a volunteer facilitator with a specific question for consideration. Participants raise their virtual hand to take turns responding to the question of the hour.
- The last 30 minutes is an open discussion focused on the nomadic lifestyle.
- Throughout the 2-hour meeting, an optional text chat is active to ask related questions and to share pertinent information.
- We are inclusive. Divisive topics and discussions are not allowed in the Virtual Caravans.
- Attendance is typically between 15 and 50 participants, with an average attendance of 30 to 40.
Instructions for Joining the Virtual Caravans
1. LOG IN TO MEETUP:
If you have used Meetup.com in the past for other reasons, then you can use that same Meetup.com account for the Virtual Caravans, OR
Sign Up for a Meetup.com account.
2. JOIN the private CARAVAN GROUP within MEETUP
- Go to https://www.meetup.com/caravans/
- Click to Join this group
- After joining the Group, you are a member.
- Use the dropdown selections under the “Member” button to create a user profile.
3. SIGN UP for the VIRTUAL CARAVAN(s) YOU PLAN to ATTEND
- Go to https://www.meetup.com/caravans/events/
- RSVP to the desired Virtual Caravan(s)
- Click the “Attend” button for the meeting you want to join.
- A new window opens up with details about attending the event.
- After reading the information, click on the Attend Online button. You have now RSVP’d for the meeting
- If you’ve given Meetup permission to email you, then you will get the Zoom link to the meeting in your email, OR
- At the time of the meeting, return to this Virtual Caravan in Meetup to click on the Zoom link within the meeting information or within the Comments section.
4. DOWNLOAD the ZOOM APP to PREPARE for YOUR FIRST VIRTUAL CARAVAN
- Make sure you have a good Internet connection.
- Go to https://zoom.us/download
- Download the Zoom App to your laptop and other Internet-connected devices that you will use to join the Virtual Caravans.
- If you are new to Zoom, check out tutorials on how to use the Zoom controls for laptops, phones or other devices, android and iOS at this link: https://learn-zoom.us/show-me
5. ATTEND A VIRTUAL CARAVAN
- Make sure you have a good Internet connection.
- Go to https://www.meetup.com/caravans/events/
- Click on the Zoom link in the Virtual Caravan that you signed up for.
- The Zoom app will open; follow all prompts.
For more information or questions about the Virtual Caravans, email VirtualCaravans@HomesOnWheelsAlliance.org.
