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

Wed Jul 31 03:17:51 PDT 2013

I do not see any need for the chairs per se, I only see need to follow
the standard of the culture you are working in. Some people need to
sit down because of there physical capabilities, it is important to
have the space accessible and supportive to the people you are
inviting, the question of chairs belongs there. My personal chose is
to have some way for people to sit down while eating and snacking and
from this sitting many discussion often begin.

In my Open space technology out in the wild jeep tours, I love the
element where people gather for a topic by one of the jeeps and then
stroll away into the landscape and continue in smaller groups inside
the jeeps on the way to the next stop. Because of the individualistic
nature of the setting I think Ill ask each participant to keep track
of his own contributions and his own understandings to be shared
immediacy on the on-tour wifi web forum.

If there are some people on the invite list that would prefer to have
chairs to sit on while gathered in the big circle, then I heard
someone talk about a ratio of 10% or 15% - 20% chairs could be
provided. But be sure to keep the standing people gathered and still
for as little time as needed, for begin still for to long while
standing is not ideal for many and I would probably wander off in
search for the coffee or restrooms if it drags on to long. But why
would you like to use more time in the big circle then is absolutely
needed for the open space mechanics anyway.

Greetings from Iceland with the North Atlantic breeze
Kári

On 31 July 2013 00:49, Pablo Villoch <pablo at glocalminds.com> 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
>
> El 29/07/2013 16:07, <oslist-request at lists.openspacetech.org> escribió:
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>> marketplace<https://docs.google.com/a/investorswithoutborders.net/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsXdTUUjiQHOdEJYUXF1ejY0TnAtd2I5RE05YWZJUUE&usp=sharing>
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-- 
Kári Gunnarsson
kari.gunnarsson at simnet.is
gsm: +354 8645189