ireland - friend seeking counsel on first open space

[Joelle Lyons Everett]

Patrick--

<<When you first ask

people to step forward and suggest a sub theme and write it down and

declare it to the group- is this put directly onto the space-time

matrix? Or onto another space until everyone has signed up to the

different workshops.>>

Spaces and times are generally added to each session poster, and the poster
put on the appropriate part of the wall, immediately after the session has
been announced.  An easy way to do this is to have a matrix of spaces and
times with post-it notes whioch can be transfered from the matrix to the
poster--then you have a record of which slots are filled and which are still
available.


<<How do the convenors of each workshop decide/allocate how much time they

should book on the matrix? Should all the matrix spaces be filled

initially. Is it OK to pre-suggest  a few sub themes(in case no-one

steps forward !!)>>

Convenors generally choose a starting time for their session, and the session
continues until it is finished, which may be shorter or longer than the time
slot.  If a session is longer, the group may need to move to another space.

There is not need to fill all matrix spaces.  And if there are more sessions
than spaces, people are ingenious about finding alternative spaces or times.

I don't believe that there is any Open Space on record where no themes were
proposed.  Sometimes the facilitator is run over by the rush of people to the
center.  Sometimes you need to practice the art of non-anxious silence until
someone is ready to come forward.


<<Reporting etc: should the content of each  group session be written

completely up or just summarised ( on flip chart paper for example) as

each session progresses and then placed on a reporting/news wall?>>

Reporting can be by computer, by hand on a form which can be duplicated, or
by posting flipchart pages.  It's helpful to offer a format which encourages
the group to summarise--Session Title, Convenor, Participants,
Ideas/Recommendations, for example.  It is important to have some record of
what was discussed in all the sessions.

Harrison's book, Open Space Technology: A User's Guide, is a great resource
which includes lots of detailed information on the kinds of questions you
ask.  It is published by Berrett-Koehler and should be available from
amazon.com.


<<Is a day normally long enough to do something meaningful?>>

I have had good results from Open Space meetings of a day or less.  Two days
will give you deeper conversations and three days provides the time to
priortize and begin action planning.  But one day is definitely time for
meaningful conversations and making connections with others who share your
passions.

Have a great meeting!

Joelle Everett
Shelton, Washington USA



patrick mcmanus


patrick.mcmanus at ireland.com

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