Recent Open Space experiences

[Chris Corrigan]

Colleagues:

It has been a busy week.

Facilitated an Open Space last week with a group at the University of
British Columbia and toolk part in a most remarkable "natural" Open
Space.  Also in discussions and/or planning for four more OS events,
three of which are with First Nations communities and one of those deals
with a current and explosive conflict.

Some recent observations...

The UBC OS was with a small group of 26 (24 of whom were women) to
envision the future structure of an organization or a college which will
unite a variety of faculties.  The OS was convened to further work that
had been captured in a strategic plan, and the half day went well.  We
had three hour long time periods and 12 discussions.  There was a fair
amoount of attrition with the result that during the last time period,
the remaining group (16 or so) decided to meet in one circle to discuss
the remaing three topics.  What was remarkable was watching how the
group moved through their work and then began their own closing.  I was
on the edge of my seat trying to figure out when the "session" had
finished and the "closing" began.  Fortunately I didn't have to do
anything other than join the circle when the sponsor declared the
closing opened (if you follow me.)  Then I just sat in the one available
chair in the circle and remarked about how deep their conversation
seemed to be and how uncomfortable I was having to move it from one
thing to another.  We then did a quick closing and broke up.

Has anybody else noticed spontaneous closings occuring?  Any similar
issues in terms of when the facilitator needs (or not) to enter?

Following the Open Space I traveled north to Hornby Island (Jewel of the
Strait of Georgia so they say) for the 15th annual Islands Celtic Music
Festival.  As many of you know, I play Irish music and every year we get
an invite to come to this marvelous festival for tunes and workshops.

The Festival is run in Open Space.  At least that what it looks like.

On the Friday, the masses gather in a a whopping great "session" which
is when people of all walks of life, talent and abilities gather in a
circle and play tunes together.  There is no leader...people just call
out the names of tunes as the Spirit moves them and the whole group
joins in.

While this is going on a blank wall gets filled with index cards
indicating times and places for workshops.  Sound familiar?

On the Saturday, it's all workshops and gatherings and catching up with
friends and learning new tunes.  Follow that is a concert on Saturday
night, truly the scariest gig I have ever played, with no sound system
and 120 musicians listening to every note.

On the Sunday morning, more workshops and then at 2:00 a closing circle
in which the hangers on gather and sing songs until everyone has to make
a mad dash for the last ferry home.

One year I asked the organizers if they had ever heard of Open Space
Telchnology.  When I received the answer "What's that" I replied "Never
mind."

Sometimes the world is so perfect that one is loath to interfere.

Chris

--
CHRIS CORRIGAN
108-1035 Pacific Street
Vancouver BC
V6E 4G7

Phone: 604.683.3080
Fax: 604.683.3036

(GO LEAFS GO!)