Opening space, transfer-in, small spaces

Fri Jul 5 23:16:05 PDT 2002

Dear Judi,
these details intrigue me because thats where I can decide to do
things either this way or another way or another way yet....and in my
experience they do make a difference to the degree open space is
experienced as a window to the open space-organisation (my precept is
that it is the nature of all organisations).
If it is agreed that the role of the sponsor is that of opening the
space the briefing of the sponsor through the open space- facilitator
on this role is part of my work. From what I understand you see this
as part of the "transfer-in process".
I also "brief" / "coach" the sponsor on his space opening role.
Almost always the sponsors view of his role transforms during this
briefing. He appears to be much more the owner of the process.My
hunch is that this leads to a more sustained grounding of the open
space and its outcome into the ongoing life of the organisation.
You point out that you do no other transfer-in than "opening the
circle". What is "opening the circle"? Is that the same as
introducing open space-technology to the group sitting in the circle?
Is the circle "closed" before that?
Am very much looking forward to the issues generated in your
three-people open space on exploring using open space in the
workplace. One of my clients (a student body representation of a
local highschool ) is using open space as the ongoing mode in its
workplace (their regular meetings every 3 weeks). Although I have
worked in many different kinds of organisations this is the first and
only one which has adopted open space directly as their way of doing
business.
Greetings from Berlin
michael

On Wed, 3 Jul 2002 22:31:25 -0300, Judi Richardson wrote:

>
>Michael -- the transfer-in process that others referred to was around
>other
>types of facilitation.  Like you, I never use a transfer-in process in
>Open
>Space Technology other than opening the circle.  I do, however, use a
>transfer-in process in most other types of facilitation, including
>working
>with the sponsor pre and post an Open Space Technology event.
>
>The three person event was a group of facilitators exploring using Open
>Space Technology in the workplace.  Once I catch up, I shall forward the
>topics generated for your interest, as well as my notes.
>
>cheers for now,
>Judi
>
>Judith Richardson
>judith at ponoconsultants.com
>Pono Consultants International
>Facilitating the Flow of Inspired Collaboration
>(902) 435-0308
>www.ponoconsultants.com
>
>In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities;
>in the expert's mind, there are few.  (Suzuki Roshi, 1970)
>
>
>Judith L. Richardson
>B.A. B.Ed. M.A. CNE
>Akerley Campus
>21 Woodlawn Road
>Dartmouth, N.S. B2W 2R7
>902 - 491-4900
>902 - 491-4864
>fax 902-491-4885
>>>> Michael M Pannwitz <mmpanne at snafu.de> 07/02/02 10:48 AM >>>
>Dear Judy,
>you (and others on the list) speak of how they "open space". In my
>work I always go to some length to talk to the sponsor about his role
>of which one important part is that he/she "opens the space". My role
>as facilitator is then to introduce the os-technology and try that
>which we all call "holding space and time". Do you use this "opening
>the space" casually or is it intentional?
>
>
>On Mon, 1 Jul 2002 23:13:18 -0300, Judi Richardson wrote:
>
>>I am just returning to email.  Thank you for your eloquent thoughts.
>In
>>the past 14 days I've had the unbelievable privilege to open space 6
>>times,
>
>Another thing that I intentionally do not do (I mean stumbling into
>the circle is a wonderful story)
>is this "transfer-in process" that you describe as many of us doing
>naturally. People sometime comment on it and I respond with my
>observation, that "transfer-in" by the facilitator is a "space
>invasion", just like "helping" a group getting out of a seemingly
>non-creative, tired mode is shutting down their space for being
>non-creative or tired. Or am I missing something here?
>
>>I believe many of us have used
>>transfer-in processes naturally for some time -- telling a joke to get
>>everyone to
>>laugh, having music play softly in the background and then turn it up
>>for everyone to "tune in" to.  I once had a room all set up, went to
>the
>>bathroom, and upon my return I stumbled across the door jam into the
>>room -- successfully gaining everyone's attention <grin>!
>
>People keep asking me about the smallest open space possible. Well,
>we are down to ZERO.
>Still, I am interested to hear who sponsored the open space you had
>with three people and what the theme was.
>
>>Last week I opened space
>>for
>>three people -- something I would not have thought could be successful,
>>and
>>I grinned as I remembered Chris C. opening space for no one and every
>>one!! It is why I hold space for others to tell their stories to each
>>other.  I believe that in authentic conversation change occurs before
>>the end of the
>>conversation.
>
>Greetings from Berlin
>michael
>
>
>
>
>Michael M Pannwitz
>boscop
>Draisweg 1
>12209 Berlin, Germany
>FON +49 - 30-772 8000     FAX +49 - 30-773 92 464
>www.michaelmpannwitz.de
>
>An der E-Gruppe "openspacedeutsch" für deutschsprechende open
>space-PraktikerInnen interessiert? Enfach eine mail an mich.
>
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Michael M Pannwitz
boscop
Draisweg 1
12209 Berlin, Germany
FON +49 - 30-772 8000     FAX +49 - 30-773 92 464
www.michaelmpannwitz.de

An der E-Gruppe "openspacedeutsch" für deutschsprechende open space-PraktikerInnen interessiert? Enfach eine mail an mich.

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