Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – OCLM Software Scheduler Web App
General Information
The OCLM Software Scheduler is a web-based JW meeting scheduler that helps Jehovah's Witness congregations schedule midweek Christian Life & Ministry meetings, Weekend Public Talks, and custom Congregation, Circuit Assembly, and Regional Convention schedules.
It features a clean, user-friendly interface that runs in any modern browser with no downloads, and is trusted by congregations worldwide to save time and stay organized.
Yes — OCLM offers a free 30-day trial with full feature access and no credit card required.
Register now to experience how easy and efficient scheduling can be using OCLM Software.
The OCLM Web App L&M Meeting Scheduler runs on mobile devices, desktop computers and laptops (also Microsoft surface tablet and Google chrome book) with an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, IE Internet Explorer, Edge, Safari etc.
OCLM requires only an up-to-date web browser — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari — on any modern desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device. There are no downloads or installations.
It is best viewed in Google Chrome, but works equally well across Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad, iPhone, Android, and Chromebook.
Security & Data Management
Yes — OCLM uses 256-bit SSL encryption, secure authentication via Microsoft and Google (with optional MFA), automatic encrypted backups, and stores only the minimal data required for scheduling.
For the full breakdown of our security architecture, please see the Security page.
OCLM servers are located exclusively in the United States, hosted on enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure.
This ensures compliance with US data protection regulations and provides reliable, secure hosting infrastructure for our congregation scheduling software.
OCLM stores only the limited information necessary to schedule congregation assignments, including a participant's name, assignment qualifications, unavailable dates, optional short scheduling notes, and optional email or mobile number for notifications. Optional notes are intentionally limited in length and users are clearly instructed not to enter confidential or sensitive information. OCLM does not provide fields for addresses, judicial matters, family relationships, medical information, financial data, shepherding records, or other sensitive congregation information.
You can also include an email or phone number if you would like to send slips/assignment/reminder messages to ones in your congregation. If you don't want to record any email addresses or phone numbers you can easily download assignment slips to your device, then print or send with your own personal email.
Yes — OCLM is designed to align with SFG 2025 / SFGA 2025 direction and applicable data protection laws, with strong encryption, minimal data storage, and full congregation control over deletion.
Our Legal Agreement outlines how personal data is handled and managed. You maintain full control of your congregation's data — at any time, you may permanently delete all congregation data instantly using the Delete Data button on the Data tab.
Please refer to SFG 2025 17:16 and SFGA 2025 for your country's specific direction, as well as your country's data protection laws.
The next time you want to use the software, simply click on the import button and select the backup zip file. This way your data will be stored locally on your computer and only be on the cloud encrypted database temporarily while you are using the software, and will not be stored permanently online.
Yes, your credit card transactions are secure. For your protection, all payments are processed through PayPal—one of the most trusted and widely used payment platforms in the world.
Every transaction is safeguarded with SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption, which you’ll see indicated by the padlock icon in your browser. This advanced security ensures that only you and PayPal can access your payment details, keeping your payment information safe, private and secure.
Account Setup & Management
Alternatively, if you prefer the traditional shared-email approach: you will need to set up a new free 30 day trial using an email address both you and the other brother can access. Email us when that has been completed and we will transfer your subscription time to the new account. For an overview of this process please watch setting up a joint account (Midweek Video Guide 4).
If you're having trouble logging in, try the following steps:
Importing & Exporting Data
Yes — OCLM supports data import from Majestic Software KHS, NW Scheduler (also called New World Scheduler; formerly JW Scheduler), TMSware CLM Explorer, and PublicTalkSoftware via the provided CSV templates.
From the Data tab, click the CSV file import button, then fill the template with the data exported from your other software. Also see Video Guide 1: How to Import Your Data for a walkthrough.
You can use Excel or another program to add your data and save as CSV. Keep the first row in the table as this is the column names header.
For the Students.csv:
For Student Id: Add a unique number to identify the student.
For Gender possible values are: Male, Female
For Classroom possible values are: All, Main Only, Aux. Only
For Columns Chairman to Active possible values are: Y, N
Download Students.csv File Filled Example
For the TalkHistory.csv:
For Student Id: Add a unique number to identify the student (matching the same Student Id number in Students.csv).
Talk Date: mm/dd/yyyy format e.g. 12/31/2023
For Classroom possible values are: Main, Aux
Talk Type possible values are: Chairman, Prayer, Treasures, Gems, Reading, Initial, Initial Ast, RV, RV Ast, BS, BS Ast, Talk, Other, Other Ast, Living, Living By Elder, CBS, CBS Reader, Discussion Video
Download TalkHistory.csv File Filled Example
Also see Video Guide 1: How to Import Your Data to import from CSV files.
If a new brother is taking on the assignment as L&M overseer, the new brother could sign up for a 30 day free trial. Then import the OCLM zip data backup. Then they could refer to and copy the data as they setup different software. Any remaining subscription time your existing account had can be transferred to his new account.
Printing & Viewing
Here are links to the MS Word app:
MS Word App for iPhone/iPad
MS Word App for Android Mobile Devices
MS Word App for Microsoft Mobile Devices
It's best to use MS Word or the MS Word Mobile App for the Word printouts, since it shows the printouts the way they were intended. For example, the iPhone or iPad doesn't properly show the checkbox symbol with its built-in Word previewer for the S-89 slips, but the MS Word app properly shows the checkboxes.
If you are looking for alternative options instead of MS Word for your desktop computer or mobile, please Google: "what are the best free microsoft word alternatives".
We also have the slips and Schedule (for the info board) available in pdf and editable pdf format.
On a phone or mobile device you could download and use the free MS Word app. More details about the MS Word app in the previous FAQ question: "What are MS Word Printouts best viewed in?".
For desktop computers, if you don't have MS Word, perhaps using an online solution like Google Docs could be used to view the MS Word printouts. We also now have the slips available in pdf format.
Google Docs
Chrome Office extension.
At the time of writing this FAQ it said ... "View and edit Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files -- without needing Office installed on your computer. Once the extension is installed, Office files that you drag into Chrome, open in Gmail, Google Drive, and more, will be opened in Docs, Sheets, and Slides for viewing and editing. You can save each file back to its original Office format, or convert it to Docs, Sheets, or Slides to unlock more features, like inviting others to edit with you, commenting, chat, and more."
However, you can scale/zoom the MS Word .docx slips to fill the page by following these instructions:
After printing/saving the "Slips (one per page)" on the schedules page in OCLM web. Open the filled downloaded slips .docx file ... then select file -> save as ... and save as a .pdf document.
Then open that saved pdf file and then ... file -> print ... in the print dialog box ... select custom scale and enter 180% (or around that percentage) and select portrait, and then print. The slips will now be full sheet size.
If the information is displaying correctly in your Word editor, but you cannot send this information to the printer, please make sure your printer is on and connected to your computer. Please refer to your printer's documentation and have the correct printer driver installed.
Features & Functionality
If you would like to buy a one year subscription, after registering/logging in please click on the Account menu item and select Renew/Add Time.
You also may want to hide old weeks using the "Hide Schedule Weeks" button at the top of the schedules page.
When you print the schedule or chairman's outline, the adjusted schedule will show the Service Talk and assign the part to the CO. The CO will also select the closing song to match his talk. Also the schedule will say beside the closing song (C.O. to Select).
Language Support
Currently the OCLM Web Software Program has been translated into English and Spanish. Please note: all printouts can be edited in MS Word to allow for translation into another language.
Spanish: Español – La reunión Vida y Ministerio Cristianos, Programador y Programador de Reuniones de Fin de Semana, Horarios de Fin de Semana, Horario de Discursos Públicos.Access & Device Compatibility
Similar steps could be applied for iOS devices such as iPhone or iPad. Make sure you are using an update-to-date web browser, and up-to-date iOS operating system version.
You do not need to download or install this internet web version. All that you need is an up-to-date web browser like Google Chrome. Then register/login on this website.
Backup & Database
Pricing, Payments & Billing
For full details including feature breakdowns and pricing cards, see our Pricing page.
OCLM Software costs $19 USD per year for an entire congregation with up to 350 invited brothers, or $9 USD per year for those with limited financial means.
A free 30-day trial with full feature access is available with no credit card required. See the Pricing page for full details.
Yes — OCLM offers a free 30-day trial with full feature access and no credit card required.
The only feature disabled during the trial is the data backup button; everything else — scheduling, printouts, and reminders — works exactly as in a paid subscription. Register now to get started.
We accept PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and any other forms of payment accepted by PayPal.com.
No. You can purchase by credit card even if you don't have a PayPal account.
On the PayPal page, look for the text:Don't have a PayPal account? Use your credit card or bank account (where available). ContinueWhen you click the Continue link, you can use a credit card instead of a PayPal account.
Email & Browser Settings
When you click the "Open Email Client" button for invitations, your browser uses a mailto link to open your default email application. If the wrong email program opens (or nothing opens), you can configure your browser to use Gmail, Outlook.com, or another service:
For Gmail:
- Open Gmail in Chrome
- Click the diamond/handler icon in the address bar (right side)
- Select "Allow mail.google.com to open all email links"
- Click Done
If you don't see the icon, go to Chrome Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Additional content settings → Protocol handlers.
For Outlook.com:
- Open Outlook.com in Edge
- Click the protocol handler icon in the address bar
- Select "Allow" to let Outlook handle email links
For Desktop Email Apps (Windows):
- Go to Windows Settings → Apps → Default apps
- Scroll down and click "Choose default apps by protocol"
- Find MAILTO and select your preferred email app
- Click the menu button (☰) and select Settings
- In the General panel, scroll to Applications
- Find mailto in the Content Type column
- Click the Action column and choose Gmail, Yahoo Mail, or Use other... to select an application
- Open the Mail app on your Mac
- Go to Mail → Settings → General
- Change "Default email reader" to your preferred app
Note: Safari uses the system default email application. To use Gmail or Outlook.com, consider using Chrome or installing a mailto extension.
iOS (iPhone/iPad):
- Go to Settings → Apps (or scroll down to find your email app)
- Tap Default Mail App
- Select Gmail, Outlook, or your preferred app
Android:
- Go to Settings → Apps → Default apps
- Tap Email app (or Browser app → Links → Email)
- Select your preferred email app
When you invite someone to your OCLM account, you'll see an "Open Email Client" button that opens a pre-filled email in your own email application (Gmail, Outlook, etc.).
This approach has several benefits:
- Personal touch: The invitation comes from YOUR email address, which the recipient is more likely to recognize and trust
- Flexibility: You can review and customize the message before sending
- Spam prevention: Emails from your personal account are less likely to end up in spam folders
- Privacy: You maintain control over the communication
If you prefer not to use mailto links, you can copy the email content from the invitation page and send it manually through any email service.
Additional Resources
The Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook provides schedule and study material for the weekly mid-week meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses.