The particaption of youth in Open Space

[Scott Phillips]

Thanks to Michael Herman my virginity was preserved for one additional day!
I missed the "Reply All" button by about 2 pixels and the following reply
regarding the issue of the participation of youth in Open Space only went to
Michael.  Hopefully, I get lucky this time!  For those of you whose minds
are in the gutter, shame on you!

>         With this writing, I am no longer a virgin on this
> listserv.  I'd just like to add to previous comments
> regarding the participation of youth in Open Space that,
> as in any network of humans, sometimes it is necessary to
> encourage the right people to participate.  Sometimes they
> may not think that they have value to add, but with a few
> kind words from someone who does value their input, they
> can come out of their shells.  Some youth participants may
> be intimidated by the adults in an environment that is
> foreign to them.  Others won't.  But casual encouragement
> in the marketplace could help a great deal to make the
> best possible use of all the feet that show up.


Best regards,


Scott Phillips
Business Performance Specialist
Employee and Organizational Learning
NORTEL NETWORKS
Tel     : ESN 456-1614, External (905) 693-1614
Fax     : ESN 456-1615, External (905) 693-1615
E-Mail  : scotphil at nortelnetworks.com

 -----Original Message-----
From:   Rhett Hudson/Chris Weaver [mailto:rhett&chris at MAIN.NC.US]
Sent:   Tuesday, May 23, 2000 7:53 AM
To:     OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject:        Re: The particaption of youth in Open Space

Dear Andrew,

I have been in three OS events which included a small number of young people
among adults, all with themes oriented around adult concerns.

My experience has been that the young people (in two cases 10 -
12-year-olds, in another high-school students) have not convened focus
groups, but that focus group members have naturally and authentically sought
the young people's input.  In every case, the young people have spoken
eloquently and from a fresh and important angle in the closing circle.

I have also asked young people to help me with set-up (taping up signs, etc)
as a way of making them feel included right away.  I have refrained from
spotlighting them in front of the group.  As the OS process invites adults
to join as they are ready, so does it work naturally with younger folks.

-Chris Weaver

----------
>From: Andrew Donovan <adonovan at mpx.com.au>
>To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>Subject: The particaption of youth in Open Space
>Date: Tue, May 23, 2000, 7:28 AM
>

> Dear Friends
>
> I have a one day open space this Friday in Canberra (Australia's capital)
> for our leading adult literacy organisation. The 50 or so people attending
> are policy makers from various fields. The focus is on literacy and young
> people. Several young people will be attending (say 2-3).
>
> A member of the leadership team hosting the open space is very concerned
> that the process/the facilitator ensure that the voice of the young people
> is heard. While perhaps making some welcoming comments in my introduction,
> I don't intent to single them out or really do anything further than I
> would normally in opening the space. But, I am open to the wisdom of the
> list.  I think it's a relevant concern that a group of 40 powerful adults
> could intimidate 3 young people (their small numbers  are a problem in
> itself), even though that is not their intention.
>
> How would other people respond to these concerns, have you done anything
> differently to include young people in a largely adult group? Many thanks
>
> warm wishes
>
> andrew
>
>
>
> Andrew Donovan
> tel +61 3 9416 3021
> fax +61 3 9416 2935
> PO Box 1705
> Collingwood  VIC  3066
> Australia
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