How to use Teams

Published: 25 September 2023

Do I need a Microsoft Teams account?

No, you do not need an MS Teams account to take part in one of our meetings.

Do I need to download or install special software?

Not if you don’t want to. You can take part fully in most internet browsers.

If you have an account, then you’ll have a better experience using the MS Teams App on your device. For Tablets and Mobiles, simply go to your app store and search for Microsoft Teams.

How do I join a meeting?

Simply click on the link we provide you and follow the on-screen instructions.

You will be presented with the below screen:

If you want to join using your internet browser, then select Continue in this browser.

If you do have the MS Teams App installed and configured, then select Join on the Teams app.

How do I mute and unmute myself?

You are looking for the Microphone symbol on the action bar, and it can be toggled between muted and unmuted by clicking it.

You are muted when the microphone has a slash through it.

(Because the action bar disappears on the browser version, there’s an additional message that lets you know you’re muted that stays on the screen.)

You are unmuted when the microphone looks normal.

How do I turn my camera on and off?

You are looking for the video camera symbol on the action bar, and it can be toggled between on and off by clicking it.

Your camera is off when the video camera has a slash through it:

Your camera is on when the video camera looks normal:

When the camera is on, you will also get a small video of yourself showing in the bottom right corner of the screen.

What happens if I drop out of the meeting?

If you lose internet connection, or run out of power, or lose connection in any other way, as long as the meeting is still going on then you can rejoin at any time. Simply click on the link you used to connect in the first place.

You’ll probably go back to the lobby where we’ll be notified you’re waiting and will let you back in.

How do I share my screen?

You are looking for the symbol on the action bar that looks like an upward arrow in a box.

The next steps on this look different depending on the device you’re using, so please follow the appropriate additional instructions:

Using the internet browser
Using the MS Teams App on Windows

How do I raise my hand?

You are looking for the hand symbol on the action bar, and it can be toggled between on and off by clicking it.

How to raise your hand on Teams

When your hand is raised, the box around the hand changes colour.

(Because the action bar disappears on the browser version, there’s an additional message that lets you know you’re hand is raised that stays on the screen.)

How do I vote for Resolutions?

Resolutions will be conducted by a Poll.

When a poll is called, it wall appear in the Meeting chat window, usually on the right-hand side. You may get a popup with the question and the options (usually a Yes or a No).

If you can’t see the Meeting chat window, look for the speech bubble symbol on the action bar, which can be toggled on and off by clicking it.

To vote in the poll, click on the option you wish to vote for and then click Submit Vote.

Voting on a poll in Teams

How to vote for Committee Members

Voting for Committee will be conducted through a JotForm. A link will be provided to you in the Meeting Chat window when it is time to vote, which will take you to another webpage.