Question to experienced OS users

[Birgitt Bolton]

Hi Karen,
you're right---small world, eh?

I'm sure you are doing a good job of working this  out after the fact and
the good news is that the company has brought you back in to do this. And
when you're done with that experience, I hope you share your learnings with
us in case we ever have to do so :-)

Warmest regards,
Birgitt

Birgitt Bolton of Dalar Associates
www.openspacetechnology.com
55 Ravina Cres., Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
 L9G 2E8
phone: 905-648-5775  fax: 905-648-2262


    -----Original Message-----
    From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of Karen
du Four des Champs
    Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 1999 11:34 AM
    To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
    Subject: Re: Question to experienced OS users


    Sorry, I'm still learning how to participate on list serves and not sure
how to send this back just to you, Birgitt.

    Thank you very much Birgitt, for your thoughts and response.  What you
outlined is exactly what we didn't do enough of!.  Ah, the learning process.
My colleague was the one "grounded" and "trained" in using OS and I was
limited in knowing the pitfalls to challenge and the questions to ask.

    from a  fellow Canadian, Birgitt -- I grew up in a little town -- La
Salle -- outside of Windsor.  Small world, eh?

    Karen
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    Karen du Four des Champs
    "a catalyst for change for our changing world"

    INERCOR, Training & Consulting Co.
    "because change begins at the core"
    P.O. Box 472
    Vashon Island, WA  98070
    Seattle Office:  (206) 244-1333
    Vashon Office: (206) 463-4122
    FAX:               (206) 463-4124
    Pager:             (206) 955-4694
    E-mail:            kdd at inercor.com
    The information in this electronic mail message is privileged and
    confidential.  It is intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named
    above.  If you received this transmission in error, you are hereby
    notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this
    communication is strictly prohibited.  Please notify our office
    immediately if you received this message in error.  If appropriate, we
    will reimburse for mail, fax, or telephone charges.

        -----Original Message-----
        From: Birgitt Bolton <birgitt at WORLDCHAT.COM>
        To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
        Date: Tuesday, April 27, 1999 6:35 AM
        Subject: Re: Question to experienced OS users


        Hi Karen,
        your question is a good one and it is why we emphasize working out
the "givens" so thoroughly ahead of time. I think that Jay's outline of what
it is he does with the client ahead of time is one of the best I've seen and
certainly encompasses much of what I do with every open space. It is the
sponsor, after all, that really opens the space and needs to determine how
much space is really being opened. I make a big point of saying to the
sponsors that it doesn't matter how much space is opened, even a teeny space
is okay---what matters is that they are TRUTHFUL about the amount of space.
This of course is done by establishing the "givens" very clearly including
what the process is for decision after the event. I build into every
contract time to work with the sponsors ahead of the event to clarify
accurate theme (the one they say they want up front and what they usually
really want are often not the same) and time to go through the "givens". The
process of sorting through the "givens" is much harder than one might think.
Mostly because it is about truth and clarity and many companies have a hard
time with this.  So, we take a day before the event to do this. And I build
in a day after the event to figure out how to make the most of it all once
the experience of OS has happened.

        Warmest regards,
        Birgitt

        Birgitt Bolton of Dalar Associates
        www.openspacetechnology.com
        55 Ravina Cres., Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
         L9G 2E8
        phone: 905-648-5775  fax: 905-648-2262


            -----Original Message-----
            From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of
Karen du Four des Champs
            Sent: Monday, April 26, 1999 1:40 PM
            To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
            Subject: Question to experienced OS users


            I facilitated a 3 day Retreat for a client using a day and a
half of Open Space with another colleague a year ago.  Months later, the
client retained me to continue some aspects of the work we began the year
before, including assuring the OS notes and recommendations were distributed
to all.  Some of the work that was to occur by the client in terms assuring
all convenors followed through did not occur consistently.

            Now, I'm spending alot of time working to "clean up many of the
assumptions" we put out during the OS process.  Our fundamental assumption
(confirmed with the division chief) that staff were "truly empowered" to
convene a session and follow through with their recommendations had several
barriers (not all of which we, as facilitators could be aware of at the
time) i.e.. legal constraints, budgetary constraints and most fundamental
and intrinsic was that this group was just a micro of a macro org that has a
systemic culture of "hierarchical decision making," so although the division
chief was supportive of this process of accountability, there were those
recommendations (stated above) that could not be carried out and thus it
appears to participants that this process was just lip service.  My main
lesson in all of this was in tee-ing up the process with clearer directions
given the systems limitations.

            Anyone have thoughts of wisdom or ideas to share to minimize the
long-term impact of the process "backfiring."   I will be facilitating their
next process next week.  Thank you.
            - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
            Karen du Four des Champs
            "a catalyst for change for our changing world"

            INERCOR, Training & Consulting Co.
            "because change begins at the core"
            P.O. Box 472
            Vashon Island, WA  98070
            Seattle Office:  (206) 244-1333
            Vashon Office: (206) 463-4122
            FAX:               (206) 463-4124
            Pager:             (206) 955-4694
            E-mail:            kdd at inercor.com
            The information in this electronic mail message is privileged
and
            confidential.  It is intended only for the use of the
recipient(s) named
            above.  If you received this transmission in error, you are
hereby
            notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of
this
            communication is strictly prohibited.  Please notify our office
            immediately if you received this message in error.  If
appropriate, we
            will reimburse for mail, fax, or telephone charges.

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