Steve Brigham espevcially re Closing circles

[Birgitt Bolton]

Hi Steve,
that modern day talking stick the microphone is something I use as soon as
the group size is over 30. I find that many people, when emotional, lower
their voices, and so the mike helps us hear those precious nuggets. And I
start it around the circle and let it get passed from person to person
without my interference. A little tricky when it has a cord, but the people
take care of that too. And even trickier when there is a lit candle in the
centre and the mike has a cord. That gets taken care of too :-)

And thanks for asking. None of these points is too small. They all have
significance, and we all do them differently.

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 Steve
Brigham
Sent: Monday, June 21, 1999 8:43 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Steve Brigham espevcially re Closing circles


Thanks Brian!

To both Brian and Birgitt - this may be a minor point, but do you hand out
the microphone and let it be passed around the room from person to person
or do you hold the microphone and move to those who raise their hand to say
something?

Steve




Fr Brian S Bainbridge <briansb at MIRA.NET> on 06/21/99 12:53:13 AM

Please respond to OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>

To:   OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
cc:    (bcc: Steve Brigham/Kaludis Consulting Group)
Subject:  Steve Brigham espevcially re Closing circles




Dear Steve,
I have nothing to add to Birgitt's comments about Evening and Morning
News.  That's how I use those times, and it has always worked just fine.
For the closing circle, I have always allowed about an hour for under-
100 and about 90 minutes for over-100 groups.
I've never focused on time spcifically, but I have always indicated the
"go-home time" at the very intro of the Open Space as I outline the
schedule and time frames, mentioning that we will use the closing circle
exercise in the time frame shown.  So far, no group (even 400) has gone
over, for some reason.  Everyone has a chance to speak and holds the
talking stick, but as the time runs on, they just pass it on with a "it's
already been said" or "same again" or "nothing new to add" indication.
I don't know why it works,  but it just does, and very nicely, and never
with any sense of hurry or haste.
And I have lots of stories of what happened during those circles - often
extremely moving and emotional events and times, to say the least.  And
always hugely positive and developmental and happy for some marvellous
reason.
And I always cheat a couple of mionutes to allow for the gathering of the
Report and the simple "When It's Over, It's Over" exercise in whatever
format seems right.
Cheers and blessings,   BRIAN.