About Meetings

  • Meeting types. The meetings in September, October, and December 2025 will be hybrid (in person and Zoom). The meetings in January, February, and March 2026 will be Zoom only. The meetings in April and May 2026 will be hybrid. 
  • Meeting place. Hybrid meetings are held at the Trinity Health-Ann Arbor Hospital, Administration Building, Education Center Auditorium, 5305 Elliott Drive, Ypsilanti, Michigan (Building 5 on the hospital campus map). We recommend that you use Public Parking Lot P. | Driving Directions
  • Start time. The meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. Eastern with a brief Business Meeting (upcoming events, sharing successes). The program itself starts about 2:00 p.m. and usually lasts approximately one hour. We take a short break, and then organize into small groups for discussion on a predetermined topic led by a GSWC facilitator. A full listing of the programs is being prepared and will be posted in the Meetings & Events section.
  • Frequency and number of meetings. The GSWC meets eight times a year, usually on the fourth Sunday of each month from September to May. The November and December meetings are combined into one meeting held in the first week of December or last week of November. 
  • Access. Meetings are free and open to the public. No registration is required to attend a meeting in person.

Registration required for attending via Zoom

  • Members are emailed an invitation to register for attendance via Zoom one week before the meeting.
  • Non-members should request an invitation (no later than 3 days before the meeting) at info@washtenawgenealogy.org.
  • There is a different "Invitation to Register" and "Join Meeting" link for each meeting.
  • Members should check their junk/spam folders for the invitation to register if it does not arrive in their inbox by the Monday before the meeting.​​

Readiness for Zoom meetings and breakout rooms

  • Basic skills
    • Joining a Zoom meeting with a link or meeting ID
    • Muting and unmuting the microphone
    • Turning the camera on and off
    • Using Gallery view to see all participants
    • Leaving a meeting
  • ​Navigating breakout rooms
    • ​Accepting an invitation to join a breakout room when prompted
    • Moving between breakout rooms if the host allows self-selection
    • Returning to the main meeting room from a breakout room
  • Using Chat and posting documents
    • Opening the chat window by clicking the "Chat" button at the bottom of the Zoom screen
    • Typing and sending messages in the chat
    • Attaching and sending files in the chat
      • Click the "File" button in the chat window
      • Choose "Your Computer" (or another source) and select the file to upload
      • Note: File sharing must be enabled by the host
  • Screen sharing
    • Clicking the "Share Screen" buiton in the meeting controls
    • Selecting the window, application, or desktop to share
    • Clicking "Share" to start presenting
    • Stopping screen sharing when finished
  • Recommended task list for practice
    • Join a Zoom meeting and locate the breakout room invitation
    • Practice moving between breakout rooms (if allowed)
    • Open the chat, type a message, and send it
    • Attach and send a file in the chat window
    • Click "Share Screen," select a file or window, and share it with the group
    • Stop sharing your screen
Having these skills will ensure your confident participation in Zoom meetings with breakout sessions, including sharing documents and presenting to others.