Question RE Using Open Space for Staff Meetings

[Harrison Owen]

I have seen OS work well in the Staff Meeting arena. Although typically
what happens is that the Opening of Space becomes rather truncated in
terms of time. After all, the people have taken the trip on a number of
occasions. But an essential core usually remains. 1) Sit in a circle
with nothing in the middle. 2) Take a moment at the start to silently
acknowledge each other -- and catch your own breath. 3) Focus the group
-- announce the theme. Maybe something like, "What are the issues and
opportunities we confront this week?" Post the issues, and get on with
the business -- works just like usual. Mention of The Principles and The
Law was largely gratuitous, as signs bearing both were a permanent
fixture in the meeting room.

Harrison

Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, Maryland   20845
Phone 301-365-2093

Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm
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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of
Jennifer Hurley
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 12:44 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Question RE Using Open Space for Staff Meetings

Hello again.  Thank you all for your throughtful responses to my
question about starting an Open Space event with a Visioning Exercise.
The Church I am working with has decided to develop a "Behavioral
Covenant" first, and postpone the Open Space to the fall.  I'll say more
as the time gets closer.

Now I have a totally different question.  I'm principal in a small
planning consulting firm (2 principals & 3 employees).  I'm intrigued by
the possibility of using open space for our weekly staff meetings, but
I'd like to read more about how OS works for short meetings (ours are
usually about an hour) and with very small numbers of people.  Does
anyone have suggestions?  Is there anything on the WIKI pages about
this?

Thanks,
Jennifer Hurley
*****
Hurley~Franks & Assoc.
1429 Walnut St., Suite 601
Philadelphia, PA 19102
http://www.hfadesign.com

Association for New Urbanism in Pennsylvania (ANUPA)
http://www.anupa.org

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