Opening Space "in house"

[Birgitt Bolton]

Hi Kerry,
and thanks for your update. And as Harrison has pointed out, our situation
in Canada also involves politics. I believe the way we view an open space as
successful does happen in these situations and all times I have
facilitated/participated in Open Space.

I also measure the success of an Open Space on follow up. It is why I am
such an advocate of good preparation, good debrief meeting and some kind of
commitment for the collective to hear from each other about progress a few
months later if possible. My follow up with groups/companies is that there
is almost always at least 90% action underway. A high rate, or in crass
terms, a high return on investment. The cases where I have had little to
know follow up are the multi-lingual ones as I described, or in early days
before I was so insistent on convergence.

Kindest regards,
Birgitt

Birgitt Bolton
www.openspacetechnology.com
Striving for Success?
Make Genuine Contact!


-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of kerry
napuk
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2000 5:25 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Opening Space "in house"


Dear Birgitt

I seem to have mislead you.  The language used in 98% of the event was the
language native to the country, which in this case was Romanian.
Facilitation was in English and held to a minimum of 35 minutes over 1.5
days and translated into Romanian.

If you have multiple languages at an event, there may be a way around this
by allowing separate or parallel sessions in different languages and they
are brought together at the action priority voting stage in different
versions.  It takes longer but at least everyone knows and understands.  We
have a big problem in Europe because non English speakers are tired of
straining to understand English.  This is a possible way around the problem.

As far as issues go, we do not use post-its but ask people to come forward
and speak to the Community about their burning concerns.  In this way,
people "feel" the issue more and establish at least one face which will
appear at the session.  We have had people propelled forward, shaking
before their first crowd, but compelled by their passion.

Follow-up to our one day events rests on volunteers to sign-up for a
steering group(s) to implement priorities post event.  Our experience shows
a low of 22% to a high of 95%!  What happens afterwards varies considerably
from group to group and sponsor to sponsor.

Hope this sheds some light.

Cheers

Kerry Napuk
Open Futures Ltd.
Edinburgh
United Kingdom

website: <www.openfutures.com>

>From  Wed Jan 26 14:04:56 2000
Message-Id: <WED.26.JAN.2000.140456.0700.>
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2000 14:04:56 -0700
Reply-To: bjpeters at amug.org
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: BJ Peters <bjpeters at amug.org>
Subject: Re: OS In Vancouver on Friday
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Chris Corrigan wrote:

> Chi meegwetch.  Sorry for my overstated ebulence.  I'm thrilled...

Chris-- I for one am extremely grateful for you "overstated ebullience"
because it makes your experience so real. Your story of the OS is
thrilling, touching, teaching... How pleased I am for your success!! --BJ



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>From  Wed Jan 26 15:07:02 2000
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Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2000 15:07:02 -0700
Reply-To: bjpeters at amug.org
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: BJ Peters <bjpeters at amug.org>
Subject: Re: Convergence Design
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Peg Holman wrote:

> COMMENTS? REACTIONS?  Your thoughts would be most appreciated!

Peg-- What a wonderful and fun project! I favor the first design as it seems to
have one less step. I'm  unsure what is gained by having the small groups meet
as you have described in your second design. Also, is it your assumption that
however many topics are worked will be taken to completion or not (in true open
space fashion) or do you intend to have them do any prioritization? I like the
"suggestions" you give to the groups as to their process (Step 4) and I would
suggest you use the word "suggestions" rather than "instructions". When I do
convergence, I often add the suggestion that they also set a date for the next
meeting that the focal person (I use the term "champion") and those who have
committed to work on the topic (I use the term "action team") will commit to.

You have a great design, it seems to me. Thanks for sharing and asking for
input.

Warm regards --BJ