I need to set up 'standard' chairs in various size circles. If I need only a few chairs (say less than 12), the circle is fairly easy to set up. But as the number increases beyond 20, to 30, 40, or more, the circle becomes increasingly less circular--that is, flat spots show up. For each person to be able to see every other person, flat spots are not good.
The rope or string acts as a constant radius measurement. Just let out enough rope to make a big enough circle and then use it to position each chair. Some simple calculator math will even allow you to calculate the size of the circle. Width allowed for each chair times number of chairs is the circumference. That divided by 2 over pi will give you the radius i.e. the length of rope. So for instance, if you allow 2.5’ per chair and you have 40 chairs that’s 2.5 x 40/(2 x 3.14) = 16’ radius, or a 32’ circle,
Maybe you could use a shape rather like a hexagon? But - and sorry if I've misread what you're planning to do - will the people you want to arrange have access to tables or similar? Is it the kind of event where you want them to take notes? Talk to one another? I don't know how long you're planning to keep them in the circle, but people tend to feel physically and psychologically uncomfortable if they have to sit for any length of time without any 'covering' in front of them. There's an optimum number below and above which this discomfort could become dysfunctional. The reason is that people feel (unconsciously, usually) that they're too exposed. Again, apologies if I've misread your purpose, but this phenomenon can derail the purpose of getting the group together.
You must have a really large room to handle a circle large enough for 40 chairs. Get a string and a pencil. Tie string around pencil and draw a circle the right size on the floor. Allow the width of a chair plus 6 inches (6 inches for elbow room) for the circumference of the circle you need. The circumference = Pi times the diameter. So, you divide the circumference (lets say 18 chair + 6 = 24 x 40 chairs = 960 inches) by Pi. (960 / Pi = 305). Your string needs to be half of that (because the radius is half the diameter) or 12.7 feet long and will make a circle 25 feet wide.
I don't know of any Indianapolis law that restricts you from doing this. Do not sell anything. You can get in trouble for selling items on the street. Do want a good answer? Contact Channel 13 (WRTV) and other local stations. I'm sure you will not get in trouble for videotaping as long as your not in anyones way. I would go to Monument Circle and sit. You can't get in trouble there. I know people will ask you for money. Have fun recording!
