A method for distributing information to an invitee of an instant messaging (IM) meeting prior to acceptance of the meeting. The method includes initiating an instant message (IM) meeting via a moderator. The next step includes sending an invitation to an invitee to join the meeting. The invitation includes the following forms of information chosen to be displayed by the moderator, (i) the participants' names, (ii) the length of time of the chat, (iii) the chat history, and (iiii) whether the meeting is in lock-down mode. The method concludes with displaying a menu having check boxes to the invitee. The check boxes allow the invitee to request additional information about the IM meeting.