Dismissed employees of the RED CROSS decide to do a Open Space

[Beverly McCarthy]

Reinhard,

Thanks so much for sharing this story.  OS process is truly a practical and effective means to touch the spirit even when human hopes are shattered.  Congratulations to you for your good work.     

Bev McCarthy
Ashford Group, Inc.
7398 St. Ives Place
West Chester, Ohio   45069  USA
beverly at ashfordgroup.com

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Reinhard Frommann <frommann at dialup.nacamar.de>
    To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
    Date: Wednesday, August 02, 2000 2:28 AM
    Subject: Dismissed employees of the RED CROSS decide to do a Open Space
    
    
    The Red Cross main office of Berlin has had financial problems since 1997. 
    (Triggered by years of mismanagement)  
    The financial loss summed up to approximately  50 mill $  The Banks  
    pressured the management to put up a plan to cut down the operational cost. A big international consulting company was called in they found out that 80% of the operational cost is located to the employees. Management decided to dismiss 300 employees. The factory committee (Betriebsrat) negotiated a social plan for the dismissed employees with the Red Cross management. 
    
    A group of dismissed employees stepped out with there disappointment of the dismissal process. What they wanted was:
    
    ·       A dignified and respected farewell to there former workplace
    ·       More then the technical feeling of going away
    ·       Room for bad feeling and talk with dismissed colleges 
    ·       Room for new personal goals  
    ·       Broad information ”What to do”
    ·       A ritual to leave a work place  after being there from up to 25 years
    
    The group of dismissed employees asked me if  I would help them with the facilitating of an Open Space. They posted a invitation:
    
    
    
    INVITATION
    
    For you as a dismissed employee to attend a Open Space
    
    What does it mean?
    
    Open Space is a method to give large groups a space 
    to talk about change. Are theme is
    
    SAY GOODBYE AND START SOMETHINGE NEW
    
    You have the room and space to contribute your theme
    
    What is it?
    
    A possibility to talk to other dismissed colleges:
    
    About you situation
    Take a critical look at your past working for the Red Cross
    Give space for your feeling 
    Figure out action points together in a group 
    Think about you future 
    
    Who had the idea?
    
    A group of dismissed employees who wanted a space
    for exchange
    
    When will it take place?
    
    13. July from 10:00-16:00 
    14 July from 9:00-15:00
    House C 3,  3 Floor
    
    Who can come?
    
    All dismissed employees if they want to
    
    Food and beverages?
    
    We will supply soft drinks. Please bring along food 
    
    
    
    
    
    The Open Space took place as planed. There were approximately 60 participants from all ranks, working together in 10 different groups. After the Open Space people were very positive about the process they experienced. 15 Participants decided to open up there own business.
    
    Reinhard  Frommann
    
    
    
    
    GOE 
    Gesellschaft für Organisationsentwicklung 
    Berlin/Brandenburg e. V.
    The German O. D. Network
    
    Reinhard Frommann
    Nestorstraße 1  
    110711 Berlin
    Germany
    
    Telefon:        0049   30 327 08 650       
    Fax:            0049   30 327 08 651   
    Handy:          0049 172 322 45 83
    E-Mail           frommann at dialup.nacamar.de
    ________________________________________________________
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