Fw: Invitations and Such for Youth-Centered Open Space Events

[Chris Kloth]

Buzz, sounds like you are doing very valuable, important work!  I have a
few thoughts.

Saving invitations has not been something I am good at, the client
usually handles this...I will try to save them in the future. I will
look to see if I can find any to send you.  The coaching I provide
clients includes less about "Open Space Technology" and more about
"What's in it for you if you participate....such as what's the theme
(braod enough to foster inclusion and creativity, but focused enough to
seem actionable)....and how will I be able to make a difference or add
value...if I show up am going going to be expected to stay involved...or
will I have the option to stay involved on my terms...what makes this
important work for people I care about...etc.  The "open space"
references are more likely to highlight references to energy, inclusion,
innovation, something different, creating your own agenda to as
contrasted to someone else's agenda...this bias of mine is based on
working with clients who are not familiar with methods...it is easier
after people have had their first positive experience.

In terms of the three days, what is important to me about this approach
is that it is intended to create a sense that this work is so important
and/or the results so potentially impactful and the connections for the
future so valuable that I wouldn't want to miss a day.  Also, I often
will point out how three days now will be less time consuming (and maybe
more fun, depending on the issue) than the traditional half or all day
meetings held monthly or bi-monthly which take a year to get results!

For pre registration our clients have had three types of experience: 1 -
everyone wants to (or has to) be there and so the responses come in
quick; 2 - seed people who have a stake in the results and live in
different geographic areas work local connections, encouraging written
responses early (but accept them up to the last minute) and getting a
sense of approximately how many people seem likely to show up even
though they did not respond; 3 - plan on 50% more than the number who
respond before the deadline.

Actually, one strategy I just remembered that worked for someone was to
say "we will provide lunch for free to anyone who signs up in advance."
While the implication is that you don't get your free lunch if you don't
sign up, the truth was that they had a buffet lunch with a caterer who
could respond quickly and feed veryone after they got there!  This group
got very close to the number that signed up, so the flexibility of the
caterer was not tested.

Congratulations on including kids, the adults who attend have always
been impressed with the contributions of kids when we could include
them...even if some of what they heard was uncomfortable.  We have
worked with the Principles, Guidance Departments and, in one case, the
Director/Teacher of a program in the schools for teen moms in school.
In every case we asked that everyone "sign in" (including adults) so we
could find people in an emergency - not for the purpose of "taking
attendence"  Therefore, while the kids knew they needed to check in to
get credit for being there, they did not feel as though they were
subject to requirements different from the adults.  In a couple of cases
there were also adults from the schools who could help affirm that
people were really there....

FRANKLY, MY EXPERIENCE IS THAT KIDS ARE SO BLOWN AWAY BY THE OPPORTUNITY
THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO LEAVE AND SOME ARE GETTING A KICK OUT OF
CHECKING OUT HOW THE ADULTS ARE ACTING SO ATTENDENCE IS EASY.

As far as liability, work with the schools...they seem to be able to use
the same paper work that they use for field trips.

I cannot provide any useful software help.

There is a man from Washington D.C. who, as I recall, work almost
exclusively with kids or gangs or something...he has been to OSONOS in
the past...maybe he is online with us now, if not does anyone recall his
name for Buzz?

Best Wishes

Chris Kloth