NARIX Events

NARIX events follow an ‘open space’ or ‘unconference’ model. That means there are no presenters. Every one who attends can participate however they like. The venue will be divided up into different rooms or sections, and each day will be divided up into time blocks. There will be an open space board where attendees can post sessions they’d like to host or participate in, or request sessions on topics they’d like to learn more about.

See full details about how the open space works below:

Open Space Format

Sessions in general occupy a 90 minute time block, with 75 minutes allotted for the session, and 15 minutes allotted for transitions and as buffer for sessions running a little late.

Sessions at the end of a period before a meal or evening break may be 1 hour.

Open Space Facilitation

Two steering committee members will serve as open space facilitators at any given time during the event.

Facilitators will not control the board. They will be available near the board to answer attendee questions, assist with organizing sessions or connecting people with other attendees, and make logistical changes to accommodate various requests and changing circumstances.

Attendees are free to place sessions on any free space on the open space board, but if they want to rearrange any sessions or change spaces with an existing session, they must ask a facilitator to coordinate.

Facilitators will move through the event space giving time reminders at the end of sessions. If a session is running over, facilitators will try to find a way for that session to continue that does not conflict with programming in the next block.

During the transition to a new session, facilitators will make announcements throughout the venue regarding what sessions will be happening next. Announcements will also be posted on Discord.

Types of Sessions

Identification on the open space board

Each session type will use a different color of post-it note to help visually communicate to attendees regarding the nature of each session.

Each post-it note will display one of the 4 session type titles to ensure easy accessibility for anyone who doesn’t perceive color clearly.

Free Range Rope Space

Some portion of the venue is left open at all times for people to lab, play, or do unstructured individual or small group activities.

Presenter Led Classes

This is a standard class with an instructor presenting material and participants following along and trying the exercises like one might find at a typical rope con.

In order to maintain the non-hierarchical feeling of the open space, participants should refrain from putting more than 2 of these on the board per event.

These sessions can, however, be low stakes opportunities for educators to test out and refine new class ideas, as well as opportunities for NARIX participants who aren’t able to attend other rope events to access some structured educational opportunities while attending NARIX.

Skillshare Sessions

Skillshare sessions are sessions devoted to a particular topic but not formally taught by any individual.

They may be organized by an individual who has a small thing to share and wants to workshop it with others, or wants to see other participants’ variations of the idea.

They may also be organized by individual(s) who want to know more about a thing and would like other people to gather to help share ideas and advice.

In skillshare sessions, anyone may contribute. Each contributor should be mindful of the time they use and make sure they allow space for others to participate.

Discussion Sessions

Discussion sessions are group discussions on any given topic. They may be unstructured/popcorn style, or may choose to use a formal facilitation / stack management system. The individuals who posted the session should clarify at the beginning of the session how they intended the discussion format to work.