How to Get Through the Holidays While You're Waiting to Adopt

How to Get Through the Holidays While You're Waiting to Adopt

Teleconference Recording

Did you miss this teleconference? You can listen to the recording of it here!

Maybe you’re facing the next few weeks of the holiday season with a mix of emotions, from loss or disappointment to eager anticipation and hope.

Maybe you’ve asked “how am I going to get through the holidays while I’m still waiting for my child?”

This special Adoption Webinar from Lifetime will help you find encouragement and tips for getting through Christmas and New Year’s traditions and get-togethers during your season of waiting.

Download this teleconference recording by clicking on this link and choosing "Save"

About Teleconferences

A teleconference is a meeting or class which is conducted via a standard telephone conference call. No special equipment is needed on your part, just a telephone. All callers dial into the same telephone number (which will be given to you by email before the conference) at the scheduled time and all will be automatically connected to each other.

It is important that you call on time. Do not call more than 3 minutes before the call or stay on the line more than 3 minutes afterwards.

If you have call-waiting, we ask that you disable it before dialing in. For most local phone companies, please follow the instructions below:

1. Pick up your phone and wait for the dial tone.

2. Dial *70 (star - seven - zero)

3. You will then hear a dial tone again.

4. At the dial tone, dial your teleconference phone number.

5. If you don’t have a touch tone phone, key in 1170 instead of *70.

6. For GTE and some other local phone companies, your instructions may be different, so do check out the proper procedures before the conference.

Most teleconferences are very interactive, meaning that you may ask questions or discuss key points with the host, or when invited to with other participants. The host is in charge of the call and facilitates it, but also involves as many of the callers as possible. You do not have to participate if you do not wish to; you may just listen and take notes.

Seminar times will be Pacific Time in the USA however you may want to note the time differences for your location. Check with World Time Server if you have time zone questions.

Example: The seminar is at 6pm Pacific. This would be 7pm Mountain Time, 8pm Central Time, and 9pm Eastern.

Teleconference Etiquette

Before guests attend, we've found that they have appreciated knowing about Teleconference Etiquette. Please observe these courtesies while on the teleconference call to help you and the other conference callers in obtaining the most information as possible.

A. Speakerphones
Speakerphones are wonderful tools, but we ask that you refrain in using them for these calls. Please don't use them unless you are using the mute feature on your phone. The clarity and quality simply isn't good enough. Most of our questions are receive by email. If the host asks for questions, pick up the handset when you share information and put the mute button on when you're just listening if you have to use a speakerphone.

B. Cell Phones
Some cell phones may cut out during the call. The clarity is not as good as a regular land line and can affect the quality of everyone’s call. Please, if possible don’t call on a cell phone, if asking a question on the call.

C. Hold Buttons
Please do not use the hold button while on the call. IF YOU HAVE MUSIC ON HOLD, YOU MUST DISABLE IT. Should you put the phone on hold to take care of other business, the teleconference would be ruined.

D. Questions, Comments and Sharing
The Teleconference Host will usually ask for callers to send in questions before the call and will answer as these on the call. To help cover all material, the host may or may not ask for questions throughout the call. However, please wait to be prompted -- don't just speak up unless invited.

If/when you do share, tell us your name and state you are from, say something like, "Susie (or the Teleconference Host's name), this is Jenny from Texas." The Teleconference Host will say, "Yes, Jenny, go ahead." Then you can ask your question. By always using the Teleconference Host’s name, this will alert us to a question and then wait until the host responds, indicating that you can proceed.

Note, however, that on smaller calls this formality isn't usually needed and there is a natural flow to people sharing and discussing. When you ask a question or comment, please say your first name and location before you begin speaking.

In the best interest of all callers involved, we ask you keep your comments or questions very brief. If, in our opinion, the answer to your question would be valuable to the entire group, we will answer it. If we feel it is either too specialized, or only of interest to you, we will invite you to email the question or comment for later follow-up.

E. Cross Talk
If another caller says something that you want to comment on or ask more information about, go through the Teleconference Host first. Do not speak to the person directly. Let the Teleconference Host play traffic cop. That’s the Host’s job. You could say something like, "Susie, can I ask Josh to rephrase the point he just made?" Again, on smaller calls, this isn't as necessary, but on the large calls, it is really helpful.

F. Arriving Early or Late to a Teleconference
Please do not call the designated bridge number before the scheduled time -- another teleconference may be being conducted. Do not call the bridge phone number when the bridges aren't being used for teleconferences. There is no one there. It is just a bridge system, not a phone system and not owned by us.

If you're late to the call, just dial in and be silent until you catch on to what's being discussed. The Teleconference Host may or may not officially welcome you -- but probably won't, so as not to disturb the flow of the call. However, you are still welcome! And, finally, if you're more than 10 minutes late, be especially careful about asking questions, as they may well have been asked earlier.

G. Audio Taping
You may not audiotape the teleconference. First, it's illegal unless everyone has given permission. Secondly, there is intellectual property involved. If we are taping a call, we will let everyone know at the beginning of the call and will give you information on how to obtain a copy of the call if available.

H. Email Us Your Questions in Advance
Please email your questions to us in advance so we may address each one of them at questions@adoptionteleconference.com.

I. Restroom Break
Please take your breaks before the conference starts.

J. The End of the Call
Please stay on the bridge line until the end of the teleconference. If time allows, we may ask for additional questions at the end of the conference.