facilitation questions

[Harrison Owen]

Ah -- A little bit of Open Space! I have tried what you are suggesting
several times (concurrent Open and closed space) and it never seemed to work
very well. But I have to admit, that is a personal judgment based on what I
knew could have happened had it all been in Open Space. I also have to admit
that some of the folks in the "Open Space Track" were delighted. The basic
problem was that the majority of people loved the sound of Open Space, but
given a choice in the moment opted for sitting in rows being talked at. I
think I understand that reaction, but at the end of the day, I really felt
uncomfortable. Part of my discomfort came from overhearing several
conversations from folks who had not opted for Open Space -- who said
something like -- that Open Space seems pretty useless. Now of course they
just had "seen it," and not really been a part. But the reaction had been
formed. It was not unlike several other situations where I had been asked to
"demonstrate Open Space." I tried -- (sit in circle, create bulletin
board...) and when I finished they were all just sitting there looking at me
until somebody said "Is that all there is?" Right! No passion, no
responsibility, not much at all.

Personally, I just won't do that sort of thing again. But there are some
alternatives. Some friends have done Open Spaces in the evenings around
really hot issues and those who cared to come seemed to get a lot out of the
experience. Another -- if this is a multi-day conference -- Do the last day
in Open Space (for everybody) as a way of synthesizing the experience and
building the common knowledge base. That does work.

Good luck!

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 Sue Scott
Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 8:18 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: facilitation questions

Hi Everyone,

I seek your wisdom and experience. I am a volunteer in an international
volunteer organization that is beginning to experiment with open space. In
my local area, we are planning a conference that will being together our
volunteers, professionals, other volunteers, and the people we serve. We
generally have a pretty traditional conference, i.e., presentations,
lectures, continuing education credits, registration for time slots in
advance. I had hoped and asked for completely open space for this conference
and it appears that we are not ready for that yet. However, the interest to
learn more is there.  Now some of us have the idea that we could offer open
space at the same time as the rest of the conference. The conference
organizers are fine with this idea. It would be in the same building. We
would like to give people the option to attend the whole regular conference
as is, move in and out of the conference, or spend all the time in open
space. We would have a convening question, marketplace, space to post the
sessions and space to hold sessions, etc.

My questions: Have any of you been part of this sort of thing? If so, any
advice on how to explain to people on the reg form? How would we open space?
To the whole conference? Just to those who showed up in the OS room for
opening? How does it work if some people do not attend opening and then
attend the posted OS sessions? I know I have more questions inside but just
am too inexperienced to know how to ask.

Also, if I am part of this organization, I guess you call it a stakeholder,
is it wise for *me* to be the facilitator? I am fine with not participating
in any sessions that might ensue, if that is what is needed.

Many thanks for your assistance,

Sue Scott in Oregon USA

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