Members of the public and the media can view or participate in Regular Board Meetings and Public Hearings through Zoom.
What You Will Need:
- desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone
- speakers/headphones—most laptops, tablets, and smartphones have built-in speakers
- webcam—recommended if asking questions, but not required
- internet connection—please note that the audio and video quality of your connection is directly related to the quality of your internet connection from your service provider
How to Participate Online:
- To view Regular Board Meetings and Public Hearings online, navigate to our Board Meetings and Public Hearings webpage and click on the link of the meeting you want to attend. If you are joining Zoom for the first time, you will need to download a file. This process is slightly different depending on what device or program you are using.
- After clicking the link you will be prompted to register for the Zoom webinar. Please use your full name for your screen name and a valid email address. The TNRD is collecting this information under section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (British Columbia) for the purpose of facilitating online meetings. By providing your full name and email address, you acknowledge and consent to the collection and use of your personal information by the TNRD for this purpose.
- Select your audio preference. Once you join the webinar, you may be prompted to select your audio preference. If your device is equipped with a microphone and speakers, you should select Computer Audio. If you do not have a microphone and speakers on your device or your sound quality is poor, you can select Phone Call. If you select Phone Call, you will be provided a list of numbers to use to call into to participate in the audio portion of the meeting.
- Wait for the host to start the meeting. Once you have entered the information above, you will be placed in a “waiting room” and TNRD moderators will be notified that you are waiting to join the webinar. When the meeting starts, your feed will begin.
At the specified time during a Regular Board Meeting or Public Hearing you can add yourself to the queue to speak by “raising your hand.” To do so, click or tap Raise Hand 
in the webinar controls. When your hand is raised it will appear blue or green.
How to Ask Questions:
The system logs the order in which hands are raised and speakers will be called in that order. Unless you no longer wish to speak, please keep your hand raised until you are called upon.
At the start of the next public comment period, the Chair will begin calling for questions. This will include both online and in person participants, so please be patient.
Before your turn to comment, an administrator will change your participant status to allow you to speak and display your video. This process will sometimes cause a short disconnect and delay in your video feed. Do not be alarmed or leave the meeting if this happens. Your video feed will resume shortly. The same delay may occur after you are finished speaking, when your status is returned to attendee.
When you have speaker status, some version of the icons shown below should appear, which indicate the status of your audio and video. When they are muted and turned off, you will see a red dash over them. You may need to accept an unmute prompt before your microphone will turn on. Please watch for a prompt and ensure you have turned on your microphone and camera before asking your question or providing your comments.
Note that you do not have to use video, but it is encouraged for all participants asking questions or providing comments.
When called upon to speak you will be asked to provide your full name and address before asking your question or providing your comments.
Tips for An Optimal Experience:
- Start early. Plan some lead-time to get set up on Zoom Webinar. This will allow you to troubleshoot any issues or make software updates if needed. It will also allow you to check that your sound and video are working and familiarize yourself with the platform.
- Consider your environment. When speaking at a meeting, please share your video but do so from a quiet and uninterrupted environment. Choose a place to sit that is lit from above or in front of you rather than from behind.
- Test your Zoom settings. Click this link and join a test meeting to ensure that your webcam, speakers, microphone and internet connection all work with Zoom.
- Set your camera. Test your camera and adjust it if necessary to ensure you can sit comfortably with your face centred on the display screen.
- Choose a good connection. Opt to connect from a location with the highest speed internet you have access to. A wired connection is often faster than wireless.
- Use a device with a built-in microphone. If the device you are using does not have a built-in microphone you will still have the option to call-in using a separate device, but the dial-in instructions will only appear once you have been invited to speak. The process will cause a delay in the meeting.
Tech Support:
If you have any technical issues when logging into a Regular Board Meeting or Public Hearing, please access the Zoom Help Centre directly. Visit the Zoom Training webpage for support, including how-to video tutorials.
Watch Past Meetings
All TNRD Board & Committee meetings are recorded and published on the TNRD’s YouTube channel.