LA H&I Digital Panel Guidelines

Due to COVID-19, Los Angeles H&I started offering online panels effective on May 12th, 2020 until it is safe to return to holding in-person panels. If you are interested to speak or lead a Los Angeles H&I panel, please follow these guidelines:

Digital Panel Format

Digital panel meetings will operate in a manner similar to standard, in-person H&I panels. The panel leader guides the panel through a format; members of A.A. share their experience strength and hope; and, time permitting, the panel speakers answer questions from the audience related to recovery from Alcoholism. To view the digital panel meeting format, visit the forms page.

Panel Etiquette

By accepting a speaking commitment on the digital H&I Panel, you are representing LAHIC to the viewers of this broadcast and therefore must agree to the following panel rules:

• Host open up meeting at least 15 minutes before start of panel

• Video “ON” during the entire panel

• Please dress respectfully, as you would for a traditional in-person H&I Panel

• No distracting movement (eating, talking to others, moving around, texting, etc)

• No crude, profane or vulgar language

• H&I has NO opinion on medications

• No derogatory remarks about the facility or its officials allowed

• No prolonged drunk-a-logs. Make sure you talk about recovery and living sober with the AA program and the twelve steps

• Absolutely NO recording allowed by panelists or participants

• Please do not break your anonymity because the panels are a live broadcast

If at any time during the panel, a speaker fails to abide by the panel rules listed above, the panel leader will remove the panelist from the broadcast.

Zoom Platform & Webinar

The digital LAHIC panels being offered are hosted on the widely accepted Zoom platform. The panels are conducted as a meeting through the Zoom platform. The meeting feature allows for the panel host to limit interaction from the audience and prevent unwanted engagement from anyone who has joined the meeting. Anyone with the link can join the panel. Meeting attendees can submit questions directly to the panelists. All attendees are muted when the panel is in progress.

Facilities/Viewers

We offer Closed digital panels for single facilities only and Open digital panels which can be viewed by anyone.

Security

Host needs to monitor and is responsible for participation, comments and overall panel, host may ask for additional support before the meeting begins to ensure a smooth AA meeting

Anonymity

Absolutely NO recording allowed by hosts or participants

Literature

Literature is available for purchase directly from the Los Angeles Central Office at www.LACOAA.org
Literature can also be found in digital form on www.AA.org

Sponsorship

Panel participants and panel leaders are not allowed to give out personal contact information over the Zoom digital broadcast. Panel attendees requesting sponsorship can contact the Los Angeles Central Office for more information on local meetings that offer sponsorship. Other programs offered through Area 05 can help attendees connect with potential sponsors:

• Bridging the Gap at www.btgww.org or email tfc@area05aa.org

• Contact Upon Release: During the temporary prohibition of paper items in the Los Angeles County Jails, incarcerated people can call 619-9GO-TOAA (619-946-8622) upon release for help in getting involved with AA. For further information on this program you can email area05corrections@gmail.com.

Want to Sign up to speak and/or lead a digital H&I Los Angeles panel?

If you are interested to participate as a speaker or leader at a digital H&I Los Angeles panel please click here

Submit a digital panel report after your panel

Please click here to find and complete your digital panel report after you finishing leading your digital panel. Thank you for your service!

When do digital panels happen?

Currently, LAHIC offers an open digital panel on Mondays at 7:30PM, expect for the second Monday. Visit the LAHIC events page for a list of upcoming panels. To request a digital panel outside of these times, please submit a request on the panel request page.