A case for training

[Birgitt Bolton]

Hi Ingrid,
I only just now had a chance to read your message and am sorry for my delay
in responding. I think that the method that you are using is wonderful. I
have a strong belief in mentoring people who wish to learn Open Space. There
are so many nuances that it is only when we work with each other that we
actually really have a chance to explore these---these are not covered in
any book, nor could they be. I also know that whoever "mentors" receives
much more in return in terms of their own learning. I have had the privilege
of mentoring a number of people and in many ways they are my teachers, and
help to shape and mold me in my thoughts and my practice. And I know that
many of them in turn then mentor others and everybody learns still more. It
is my hope that between us all, that Open Space will spread increasingly in
its use in the world. I will be interested to hear more  from you as it
unfolds.

Kindest regards,
Birgitt Bolton

-----Original Message-----
From:   OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Ingrid
Olausson
Sent:   Wednesday, January 27, 1999 4:54 AM
To:     OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject:        A case for training

When you do an Open Space there are always several participants who are so
delighted that they want to apply it themselves. Sometimes they tell you,
sometimes they just do it. You don't have a clue how good they are at
holding the space or whatever they are going to do.
I often tell the participants in the closing circle, that this is something
they can do themselves, but that they have to know what they are doing and I
suggest they read Harrisons book.
After having worked with several large organizations where they want to use
Open Space ongoing, I have arrived at a possible solution. I offer them a
course, that rather is coaching them through a real Open Space.
I have now a group of 8 persons in an organisation with 5000 employes. Six
of them had participated in one or two Open Space Conferences that I had
already conducted with people from the organization. Before the first
seminar day they had to read Harrisons book (and also my own about dialogue
and large group methods in Swedish).
The first day was about Open Space in general (with the US West film) about
what to do and not (pitfalls etc). In the afternoon we started planning the
event that they already had decided on. Looking at the venues, invitation
letter etc. Everyone is involved in these tasks.
The next day will be the day before the conference that is in the end of
feb. We will go through the whole process, rehearse etc. The conference day
I will only be in the background. They shall run the whole thing themselves.
After the conference we will have a feedback session. After this I think
there is a good possibility that they will work with Open Space in a good
way in their organization.
Ingrid Olausson
This is a late contribution to this discussion, because I had trouble with
my e-mail. Sorry