facilitating participant

[Harrison Owen]

Sure it is OK -- but it can be a little difficult, particularly if it is
your first (or early) time as facilitator. The problem is that when you are
passionate about a subject there is a natural tendency to jump right in with
both feet. This is great, but if you are also the facilitator you may just
forget your primary task -- to Hold Space for all the others. I think if it
were me, I would find somebody else to facilitate it -- but what the heck,
just go for it!! 

Harrison

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS!!!!
hhowen at verizon.net
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, Maryland   20854
Phone 301-365-2093
Skype hhowen
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com 
Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
Personal website www.ho-image.com 
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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Kevin
Cameron
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2005 9:14 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: facilitating participant

Hey all.

I'm planning an open space mainly to get myself some experience (it will 
be my first as a leader) but also because it is a topic I am passionate 
about, one I really want to have the opportunity to participate in an 
open space about.

My simple questions:

What about being a participant and a facilitator at the same time?
What should I watch out for?
What should  I avoid?
What should I make sure to do?
Is it a "no-no"?

If it was a traditional meeting, and I was acting as a traditional 
facilitator, I would not want to compromise my "neutrality" by 
participating in the discussion, thus risking alienating some 
participants, making them feel that it is "biased". But since OST is so 
different, and the facilitator doesn't really have any say over what 
happens and what gets said, is it OK to participate?


Just looking for thoughts,

Kevin
http://www.bastish.net

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