TELECONFERENCE INFORMATION AND PROTOCOLS

Using an automated teleconference line may be a new experience for some people. We've found the following instructions and tips work well.

HOW TO CALL INTO THE TELECONFERENCE LINE

1. Put your dogs, kids, and/or staff in another room. Please take this call where you will not be interrupted.

2. Pick up your phone.

3. If you have call-waiting, please disable it first by dialing *70 and waiting for the dial tone.

4. Dial the assigned teleconference number at the scheduled time.

5. Do not call early; you may call a few minutes late.

6. Say nothing until you are welcomed (everyone else hears a little beep so they know someone has just dialed in) by your call leader or the group.

7. Please don't call the teleconference number you've been given at any other time than during your scheduled time. There is no one "there" at the teleconference number.

8. The system is totally automatic--there is no Operator.

9. If you're the first person to call in, the line will ring and ring until the 2nd person calls in and you two will be immediately "connected."

TIPS FOR CALLERS

1. Use a land line--the teleconference lines have severe problems when someone makes a computer/Internet based call.

2. Only use 900 MHz portables and stay close to the base to avoid static

3. No speaker phones

4. No cell phones because of the static and potential for "cross talk."

5. Do not use your speakerphone. It is annoying to almost everyone.

6. DO NOT PUT US ON HOLD! Many offices have music on hold and the call is "interrupted" by the music. If you have to leave the call, hang up and call back as soon as you can rejoin.

7. Use a headset or high quality phone with a mute button. Portable phones often cause static heard by all callers. If you're using a headset, make sure it's close to your mouth so everyone can hear you.

8. If you have a two-line phone or other phones in your room/office, TURN OFF all ringers before calling in.

9. Don't breathe into the mouthpiece. It's comical, but disruptive.

10. The system does not work well with two-way calling. Each person should call in separately to maintain the high quality of the teleconference line.

11. On your phone bill, you will see just regular, long distance charges for dialing to the Las Vegas area where the teleconference is located.

nancy r. fenn
619.255.6117