Center of the Circel
Michael M Pannwitz
mmpanne at snafu.de
Thu Mar 11 02:18:50 PST 1999
Dear colleague,
Ralph asked what or who is "violated" by the use of a table
in the center.
I am facilitating an open space in a large Berlin church
the next two days. The church is "just" the meeting place,
the client is the "Round table for sustainable development
in Berlin and Brandenburg".
We went to see the space and to talk with the church people
about logistics and stuff.
We explained about the circle and pointed out that the
center of the room which has an inlaid small spiral
ornament would be the place where people would go to to
write down their issues. And that we would put a blanket or
a rug there.
They asked us not to cover the centre with the spiral but
to put the rug right next to it.
When I talked more with them they answered Ralphs question
(I had not seen his response yet) with the statement: Well,
it is the center, we dont cover the center.
Granted, this is a special situation. But it got me to
thinking. And it confirmed my feeling about the meaning
the centre has to me. I am sure the "violation" is first of
all my thing.
So to give an answer to Ralphs question on what or who is
"violated" :
The centre is "violated" (obscured ?) and my sense of the
space is "violated".
By the way, participants have occasionally suggested that a
table be placed in the center to help with the writing.
Others have even objected to having flowers at the center.
I agree with Ralph that we need to be tolerant of
experimentation and multiple approaches. What I also
observed is that I need to be closely in touch with my own
feelings about the space and at the same time not to make a
"rule" about how open space should be facilitated or how
the space is to be held.
hugs to all of you
michael
Michael M Pannwitz
Draisweg 1
12209 Berlin
Germany
Tel.: 49 30 772 8000
Fax: 49 30 773 92 464
>From Thu Mar 11 08:46:49 1999
Message-Id: <THU.11.MAR.1999.084649.0500.>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 08:46:49 -0500
Reply-To: lpasoc at inforamp.net
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Larry Peterson <lpasoc at inforamp.net>
Subject: Re: Center of the Circel
In-Reply-To: <m10L2bK-000onFC at www.inx.de>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
I have used a variety of "centers" for an Open Space. I like to find
something small that symbolizes the purpose of the group gathered. I like to
put the papers, markers and report forms in the centre. I have used short
tables (coffee tables). The critical thing for me is that the line of sight
and sense of connection between people in the circle (or concentric circles)
is not broken. A table that blocks your view of the person across the room
has the same effect as a table in a meeting room. It can separate people and
their energies. It does not prevent Open Space from working its magic, I
think it lessens the energy.
Larry
Larry Peterson
Associates in Transformation
41 Appleton Ave., Toronto, ON,
Canada, M6E 3A4
Tel:/Fax: 416-653-4829
lpasoc at inforamp.net
http://www.inforamp.net/~lpasoc
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at listserv.idbsu.edu] On Behalf Of Michael M
Pannwitz
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 1999 5:19 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Center of the Circel
Dear colleague,
Ralph asked what or who is "violated" by the use of a table
in the center.
I am facilitating an open space in a large Berlin church
the next two days. The church is "just" the meeting place,
the client is the "Round table for sustainable development
in Berlin and Brandenburg".
We went to see the space and to talk with the church people
about logistics and stuff.
We explained about the circle and pointed out that the
center of the room which has an inlaid small spiral
ornament would be the place where people would go to to
write down their issues. And that we would put a blanket or
a rug there.
They asked us not to cover the centre with the spiral but
to put the rug right next to it.
When I talked more with them they answered Ralphs question
(I had not seen his response yet) with the statement: Well,
it is the center, we dont cover the center.
Granted, this is a special situation. But it got me to
thinking. And it confirmed my feeling about the meaning
the centre has to me. I am sure the "violation" is first of
all my thing.
So to give an answer to Ralphs question on what or who is
"violated" :
The centre is "violated" (obscured ?) and my sense of the
space is "violated".
By the way, participants have occasionally suggested that a
table be placed in the center to help with the writing.
Others have even objected to having flowers at the center.
I agree with Ralph that we need to be tolerant of
experimentation and multiple approaches. What I also
observed is that I need to be closely in touch with my own
feelings about the space and at the same time not to make a
"rule" about how open space should be facilitated or how
the space is to be held.
hugs to all of you
michael
Michael M Pannwitz
Draisweg 1
12209 Berlin
Germany
Tel.: 49 30 772 8000
Fax: 49 30 773 92 464
>From Thu Mar 11 08:46:51 1999
Message-Id: <THU.11.MAR.1999.084651.0500.>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 08:46:51 -0500
Reply-To: lpasoc at inforamp.net
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Larry Peterson <lpasoc at inforamp.net>
Subject: FW: Theme Suggestions?
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
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-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Peterson [mailto:lpasoc at inforamp.net]
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 1999 5:18 PM
To: dwcox at PAWNEE.ASTATE.EDU
Subject: RE: Theme Suggestions?
David: I have a hunch that your trouble in determining a theme is because
you have a vested interest in the outcomes of the Open Space. If you are a
member of the Faculty and have been part of the discussions then I don't
think you should be Opening the Space. You need to get someone who is less
invested in the particulars of the conversation to help you and the group to
find the set of words that give focus to what you want and need to do next.
Which may be the challenges and opportunities for developing the new
curriculum by April? If I'm wrong and you are external to the group, just
delete the Message.
Larry
Larry Peterson
Associates in Transformation
41 Appleton Ave., Toronto, ON,
Canada, M6E 3A4
Tel:/Fax: 416-653-4829
lpasoc at inforamp.net
http://www.inforamp.net/~lpasoc
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at listserv.idbsu.edu] On Behalf Of David Cox
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 1999 2:50 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Theme Suggestions?
I'd like some help coming up with the appropriate wording for an OS
theme. What I have coming up is a high stakes event. The
precise theme wording is critical (at least I think it is).
First I need to give some background. I am a member of a College
of Education at a university. We are undergoing massive teacher
education redesign. We are under a state mandate to get a new
program in place by Fall 99. We have a month and a half left in
this academic year. Failure to come up with a new curriculum is
simply not an option. A key group of ten faculty (10 PhD ego's) are
working on a new "Core Curriculum." Deliberations have broken
down over philosophical issues, content issues, generalist vs
specialist teacher issues, number of hours, etc., etc. In short
conversations have become very contentious and heated. The
group is going in circles and a couple of people have resigned.
Emotions are high and acrimony is rampant. The group is getting
frustrated, exhausted, and burned out on every-other-day meetings.
To me the situation meets perfectly the criteria for an OS event:
high levels of complexity, high levels of diversity, high levels of
conflict, and a decision is needed yesterday.
I volunteered to hold an OS event with this group. The group may
be expanded in size somewhat. I'm going to guess that 15 to 20
people would voluntarily come together if they believed real
progress could be made.
I would GREATLY APPRECIATE any suggestions anyone on this
list might have for the wording of a theme to focus this group.
Something like "issues and opportunities facing the College of
Education" just seems too generic for this particular situation,
which I might go so far as to describe as a crisis.
Thanks VERY MUCH for your help!!!
>From Thu Mar 11 21:01:45 1999
Message-Id: <THU.11.MAR.1999.210145.0500.>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 21:01:45 -0500
Reply-To: dgp at cyberus.ca
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Parkinson & Gibeault <dgp at cyberus.ca>
Subject: Re: Circles and Tables
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Hi Ralph,
I find that people who are uncomfortable to get on the floor to write their
topice often bring the sheet to their seat and write from there.
Even if the table isn't obstucting the view as Larry suggested, it does
symbolize that thing that creates distance in meetings. My preference is to
create an environment that is different form the usual way of doing business
to send the message that this is not business as usual. No table means we
all are a bit more vulnerable and that may bring us to be more open, in touch
with feelings, with the unsaid, creativity, the spirit in the room and so on.
That's why I have a preference for no table but I agree that some space can
be opened despite that.
Diane Gibeault
191 Juliette Ave.
Ottawa Ontario
Canada
613-7442638
ralphsc wrote:
> Dear Friends,
>
> I wonder how we are measuring the success of our open space gatherings.
> What or who is "violated" by the use of a table in the center during the
> opening?
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