OS with women's organization

[Lisa Heft]

Raffi –

You wrote that folks in your OS event did not seem to have the energy to
work towards finding a new director for their organization.  Also you
mentioned the lack of follow through after the event.  Both of these things
often happen, no matter what our ongoing conversations and preliminary work
with clients/sponsors may be.  However, I feel it is still very important to
do both.

I have come to feel that at least a 2-day Open Space is necessary for
solution orientation in many circumstances.  I personally do not often do
storytelling before Open Space as I feel it happens in the Open Space
itself.  Day 1 seems to be the time for witnessing – telling of the stories
over and over again, describing the situation / the pain / the puzzle.
Sometimes I give the group a little nudge at the end of Day 1 and the
beginning of Day 2 to ask if they want to continue to witness or move
towards solution orientation (other facilitators feel very strongly that the
‘nudge’ is an unnecessary intervention – it’s probably true).  Day 2 the
group seems ready to move on, to move through into solution orientation.
But I agree with Harrison – what is the imagined outcome of the OS?  Finding
a director?  Finding energy?  Finding energy for finding a director?  That
last one is so specific that I’m not sure it could have gone that way.

I also agree with folks who feel that OST should not be a single
intervention but an event designed into the change or forward movement
process, with specifically – designed actions and reporting loops (maybe to
include other ongoing Open Spaces) discussed (and some even ready to go
post-open space) *before* the OST event.  All good energy needs ongoing
nutrition, and a single rich meal does not last forever...

Lisa

- - -
L i s a   H e f t
Consultant, facilitator, educator
Open Space Technology and Experiential Learning

2325 Oregon
Berkeley, California
94705-1106  USA
(+01) 510 548-8449
lisaheft at pacbell.net
www.openspaceworld.com


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