[OSList] Do we really need chairs in Open Space?

[Lisa Heft]

Hello most fabulous Pablo.

I would not be able to attend your lovely Open Space event.

It would hurt my body. I need to sit and stand and sway. But zero  
sitting would tire my diversely disabled body out.

If in your pre-registration you have asked about mobility, different  
abilities and other aspects that might inform environment, materials  
and furniture, then you might have this information about your  
participants. However some people feel so lively (including myself)  
that they might not fill out any information that identifies them as  
disabled.

I also am curious as to how short this time is - if wonderful  
conversation is to happen, I think chairs are useful - because the  
other people can easily opt out of chairs by standing or sitting on  
the ground. But the different-bodies folks cannot opt out if there are  
no chairs. Many of us can or cannot sit on the ground, for example, or  
stand for long periods of time. So we would self-organize ourselves  
away, thus reducing the diversity person by person.

So to me it is about diversity, inclusion and access.

And if less chairs are available, the question to me is - how many can  
we get, how do we help in seating in other creative ways, is this the  
right site for the process we wish to use, does everyone have comfort  
so they can think well - all that is universal, not just about Open  
Space.

I don't think it's an untouchable subject to ask. Keep asking, and I  
look forward to hearing others' thoughts and experiences.

Okay not I am thinking of unleashing collective wisdom through self- 
organization and I am thinking that maybe several peoples' collective  
wisdom is to become my chair.
Very soft, always moving, full of laughter. Or maybe your umbrella  
question is my solution. I could use your (open) umbrella (question)  
as my chair. Okay okay I will stop now...

Abrazos,
Lisa




On Jul 30, 2013, at 5:49 PM, Pablo Villoch wrote:

> Dearest OS community,
>
> I have been asked to co-host an Open Space next week where Chilean  
> civil society and NGOs will propose ideas to enrich the political  
> programs for the upcoming elections.
>
> An unknown number of people could come.  Organizers estimate  around  
> 300-500.
> The venue is big enough.
> The umbrella question is being destiled and refined.
>
> In the organizing committee there is an argument about the  
> convenience of using chairs.
> Some people feel attached to the almost untouchable sacred geometry  
> of the circle of chairs.
> I personally believe that chairs are not an essential element of  
> OST, while people can self-organize and decide if they prefer to  
> talk standing up, sit on the ground...or even talk while talking.
>
> That is why I take the courage to ask for help to the collective  
> wisdom present in this OS community.
>
> What successful stories can you share of opening space without chairs?
>
> What are the pros and cons of not using chairs in an Open Space?
>
> In what ways can (un)availability of chairs be a barrier or  
> opportunity to unleash collective wisdom through self organization?
>
> mountains of Love from the cold foggy Chilean winter.
>
> Pablo
>