I'm a room snob when it comes to the Round Table. I guess because the room can greatly impact what happens in the room...
“We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us." - Winston Churchill
There is a spiritual impact to the setting of our meetings. Our pastor often that our call in ministry is to create "Green Grass and Still Waters" so that the sheep will eat.
Having the right setting/room for the Round Table meeting is part creating green grass and still waters.
Here are some thoughts or things I look for in choosing a room:
- Square Rooms - I try to avoid long narrow tables when I can. Those seem more like 'board rooms' than round table rooms to me.
- Comfortable Chairs - mind absorbs only what the bottom can endure.
- No Glass Boxes - When outsiders can peer into your meeting it can hinder people being open and transparent.
- Ready Access to Restrooms - shorter the walk the better.
- Screen / Monitor - I like having a large display for presenting when needed on one wall.
- Whiteboard - I'm a huge fan of the whiteboard. I find a question or statement left on the whiteboard is impactful.
- U-shaped Tabled Layout - I like for people to see as many faces as possible, but still all see the screen/whiteboard.
- Coffee/Food - It's great to have access to coffee/drinks in the room.
- Pens/Notecards
- Tissues
Other thoughts?
Mike D. asked where I sit during the meeting:
I sit as close to the whiteboard as possible.
I want to be there to pop up and write down impactful questions/statements that come from the members….
I’m not concerned about sitting at the head of the table. I do move around a lot during the meeting too… To show that I’m just facilitating.
I agree with all of Ron's thoughts above I will affirm and add a few additional thoughts as well as address Mike's question about where to sit to provide a posture of serving.
On Room:
- I am a big advocate of square so we are looking at the maximum number of people (I understand most conference rooms are designed more rectangle and/or oval. But the more people can see each other the better.
- Absolutely need comfortable chairs.
- I also like to have everything laid out as if you are expecting them at each setting. Note cards, perhaps content, prayer cards, whatever you are providing. I also use the name cards (even though members know each other) as it add some professionalism to the feel and it is great if you have a guest and/or someone visiting from another group (or a newer member).
- Privacy whether it be glass or open area privacy of some fashion is a must.
Where do I sit (Mike's question):
- I do sit at the front of the room. Three primary reasons,
- (1) is the serving is really about how we conduct ourselves in the facilitation and that's where the people see the servant piece
- (2) it is the best place to facilitate from, like a conductor, while you are not playing the notes you are setting the cadence for the meeting.
- (3) If you do project something behind you i would rather it be behind me then one of my members.
In one of my rooms I sit at the end of the table that is in front of the screen, next to the easel, and across from the door.
My new group has been in 3 different rooms for our first 3 meetings, which is still forming, but we've found our ongoing place now, so I also think I'll sit in front of the screen and away from the door in this room.