Non-ideal rooms any ideas?

[Joelle Lyons Everett]

Doris--

One recent Open Space was at a brand-new, just-opened resort hotel.  They
were still painting in some areas.  After consulting, we decided to pull out the
dividing wall to use for session posters.  They allowed us to post things with
tape on the wooden doors, and to use chart paper with "Post-It" adhesive for
putting session reports on the wall for voting.

This did make the meeting room tight for the circle, but we used it only for
opening and closing circles and the computers, with breakout spaces elsewhere.

The last Open Space I facilitated, the only useable wall had wallpaper.  I
asked the office manager about blue painter's tape (3-M Sure Release tape), and
she told us it would be fine, if we did not tape directly on the seams of the
wallpaper.

In another place, there were stand-up screens that we could use.  We put them
some feet out from the wall of the room, and the area behind the standing
screens was a popular breakout space.

People seem to work out a way to eat, although there is almost always someone
on the planning committee who thinks we should set up tables.  If they are
insistent, I like Lisa's suggestion of small bar tables.

Another approach is to think about food which is easy to eat without cutting
or dripping.  I went to a bar mitzvah recently--the menu was baked salmon,
green salad, marinated vegetables, fresh fruit in bite-size pieces, and cookies.
It was delicious, and easy to eat standing up.  Sliced meat and cheese to
make sandwiches or add to a salad works well, too.

Have a wonderful time!

Joelle Everett

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