confessions of a space invader

[Chris Corrigan]

Dave:

Great post, and really valuable for clarifying what so many of us take
for granted.  Reports here seem telescopic because they are, and there
are very few events that get reported on this list by participants.  So
your post adds a lot for me, and contains some really valuable truths
about how we as facilitators are able to see what has happened.

I learned a while ago, after a really bad OS experience that many people
described as the greatest thing ever, that "letting go" applies to
results too.  And it applies to how we evaluate what we did in OS as
facilitators.  It's really really hard to let go of the pair of
self-critical eyes that prevents us from seeing what others see.

Your post restores that vision really nicely. Thanks,

Chris


---
CHRIS CORRIGAN
Consultation - Facilitation
Open Space Technology

Bowen Island, BC, Canada
http://www.chriscorrigan.com
chris at chriscorrigan.com


>  -----Original Message-----
>  From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of
David
>  Frey
>  Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2002 12:35 PM
>  To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>  Subject: Re: confessions of a space invader
>
>  Greetings Everyone!
>  This is my very first posting, though I have been an avid OSLIST
reader
>  for
>  many months.  I feel called to offer another perspective about the
>  "Unleash
>  the Drama" open space that I helped to organize.  I observed Julie's
>  opening.  She wisely abbreviated her planned "breathing" exercise,
and
>  went
>  more directly into the instructions.  The disapproving energy that
she
>  felt
>  actually came from (in my opinion) a small contingent of the group
>  --perhaps 6 to 8 of the teen girls (out of approximately 40 teen
girls
>  and
>  7 adults.)  The breakout session that I participated in (titled "free
for
>  all") was positive and helpful --though far too short.  The girls
>  acknowledged important problems to each other such as
rumor-spreading,
>  making assumptions, etc.  They resisted my mild attempts to steer the
>  discussion toward solutions; it wasn't time yet.  I know that there
were
>  some "difficulties" at some of the sessions, but no arguments,
fights,
>  etc.
>  I attribute this to the normal communication shortcomings of the
>  participants, both students and adults.  The closing circle that
Julie
>  described as "chillier than usual," I would describe as "positive and
>  uneventful."
>
>  I realize the above description might sound defensive, but one point
I'm
>  trying to make is that the success of an open space should be
evaluated
>  in
>  context.  Julie, if you were to follow one of these girls around for
a
>  single day, I'm sure you would be impressed by how much conflict they
>  deal
>  with.  By comparison, the open space event was heavenly.  My
expectations
>  for the event were different than Julie's.  My expectation was that
this
>  would be a chance to crack open the door to a more peaceable approach
to
>  conflict.  That was accomplished!
>
>  Today, I will meet with that core group of girls to debrief and
decide
>  where to go from here.  The process probably won't continue in open
>  space,
>  but it will continue in some form as long as there is the energy to
do
>  so.
>  And it is the process of creatively recognizing and addressing needs
that
>  if important.
>
>  In following the open space listserv discussion for several months, I
>  have
>  noticed a telescopic focus the single event at the expense of the
whole
>  process.  In my own mind, the open space event is always a snapshot
in
>  the
>  continually unfolding process of an organization.  In my opinion,
what
>  preceeds and follows the OS event,-- especially what follows it -- is
>  much
>  more important than the OS event itself.  This is true even if the OS
>  event
>  is awesome and inspiring.  I believe that the interest and feelings
>  generated by "Unleashing the Drama" will lead the teens wherever they
>  have
>  the energy to go -- guided by the concern and experience of the
adults
>  that
>  are involved with them.  I have no idea where the process will lead,
but
>  I'll find out more in an hour!
>
>  Curiously,
>  Dave
>
>  Dave Frey
>  Drug Prevention/School Safety Coordinator
>  Tanana Middle School
>  600 Trainor Gate Road
>  Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
>  (907) 452-8145 ex. 1-110
>
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