Some questions about an OS event

[Ross, Diane K. CTR]

Harrison and all,
In addition to reading and thinking about Open Space, I now have had the
change to experience it. I did an Open Space event for 5 people on
Monday afternoon for the staff of a small non-profit association.
Definite progress was made by the group (see my PS below) and they were
talking about a full three days with their Board members so I am very
encouraged about OST. And I have several questions on some aspects of
how things went and would appreciate any thoughts you might have...

An easy one first...The 5 women knew each other well so when they got in
the circle, they moved their chairs together leaving little room in the
center. Though I asked them to allow more space in the middle which they
did, it was a very short walk around the circle and I was very close to
each person as I passed by. I went around twice then stood on the
edge-basically joining the circle instead of standing in the middle on
the paper and markers. Is there anything you might suggest that I could
have done differently as this seemed a bit awkward?

After four issues appeared on my 2x3 matrix and people signed up for
their sessions, I had to leave the room for they kept looking to me for
permission to do the next thing. They kept reminding themselves that it
was up to them so I did the symbolic act of walking out. When I returned
they had decided that they were all going to stay together and take a
quarter of the time for each issue. Is that still Open Space if the
individuals aren't flowing to other groups?

The time we had...from 1300-1630 was cut to 1400-1630. However, I've
read it is possible to do open space in an hour so we tried it anyway.
Are there further criteria when doing such short sessions such as:
having done Open Space before, agreement to focus on topic and not on
interpersonal issues, nature of topic area, etc?

There was a clear conflict between two people and they worked up to
being quite accusatory of one another. After a couple of hours I
intervened-talked about respecting each other, "I" statements instead of
"you" statements...just some basics which did serve to stabilize the
situation. Is there something you say at the beginning about being
respectful of one another?  In a larger group the facilitator might not
even be aware that this kind of thing is going on. It seemed that
holding the space open by my presence did not help them resolve the
conflict-do you ever intervene?

Due to earlier commitments, two of the people left at 1630 but the
principle of it being over when it's over applied as the rest talked
till 1930. Those three had peace and a way ahead. I guess reflectively,
the right people stayed-kind of an affirmation of two principles here.

I had one person get up and leave the room, walk the hall, and
reluctantly return after the group said they would make adjustments. I
seem to recall you said no one had left a session never to return. The
Law of Two Feet would preclude me from throwing myself at the door
barring the way. If there was more than one group I could have directed
them to a second group? Or am I not to engage at all with the
participants?

My last question is about the arrangement of the break out area. After
being in the initial circle for the opening, people went to the wall
which opened up the circle into a U. Then they used the wall for
reference thus were no longer in a circle during the discussion which
might have encouraged the adversarial situation. Do you make any
prescription about break out set up? Do you arranged the break out areas
in circles too?

As I said at the beginning I am very encouraged. Having such a positive
outcome under such difficult circumstances strengthens my conviction
that this would be helpful in many of my primary areas of influence.

Thank you for your thoughts,
Diane

PS I heard from one of the participants last night and she said amazing,
wonderful things are happening since the Open Space. (I'm sure it will
be a praise report tonight as 3 of the participants are in my Bible
Study group) The two people who were in conflict had a lengthy meeting
that went unbelievable well--it would not have been possible before.
Everyone involved seem to have unexpected clarity and is encouraged that
they may have turned the corner on this long-term problem.
==========================================================
OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html

To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist

*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html

To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist