Process in Breakout Groups

Harrison Owen hhowen at verizon.net
Thu Nov 17 12:18:26 PST 2005


Wendy -- Well said! And just to add a bit -- it has been my experience that
even in intensely conflicted situations the groups themselves will find
their best way. This can be very nervous making for the facilitator, but in
all the years that I have been working in Open Space I have never seen a
situation in which the group did not find an effective way to deal with its
conflict -- and perhaps more to the point did not learn mountains for having
dealt with their issues. The whole thing can seem extraordinarily messy, and
the urge to clean it up and calm it down can be almost overwhelming. BUT --
the people will make it. They always have if not in one session then in a
following one, or as a congregation of bumble bees or a flight of
butterflies.

Harrison 

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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Wendy
Farmer-O'Neil
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 2:21 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Process in Breakout Groups

Hi Jimmy,

I agree with Lisa. If you really feel you need to do something like this, do
it on the first day before you open space. But my experience has been that
unless you have some serious information that people really need to inform
their conversations in the Open Space, most folks come away stating that
they wished they could have had the two days in Open Space--that they find
it far more productive and meaningful.

I am going to be blunt, but I think this is important--so imagine this
delivered with a smile and a friendly arm about the shoulders...

It sounds to me like you are still struggling under the impression that you
are in control.  For me, the one essential quality that an OS facilitator
needs is an unshakable faith in the resource, the capacity and the wisdom of
those present.  If you are prepared to be surprised, the participants will
create more amazing ways of hosting their sessions than you can imagine--and
they will all be exactly what needed to happen--what could happen.  Just as
the openness of the marketplace process in an OS event creates agendas that
are more appropriate than any one person could create, so too does the
openness that continues on into the sessions.  Some conversations will be
free form, some will evolve into circles, some will be focused, some will be
dance classes, some will be play sessions, some will be workshops with
Q&A--the point is that the process that emerges will be the process that is
most effective and appropriate--FOR THOSE WHO ARE ENGAGED IN IT.  You've
gotta trust them--or you're in for a rough ride.

JMHO,
Cheers,
Wendy



-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Jimmy
Pryor-SunBody
Sent: November 17, 2005 10:41 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Process in Breakout Groups

In all that I've read about OS, I don't recall seeing much about process 
within the breakout groups.  How is that usually determined? I have seen 
mention in some posts of combining OS and "cafes".

I have envisioned using OS and allowing those that post topics for 
discussion to include the method of consideration.  For example, someone 
might say "I want to have a conversation cafe on x."  or "I want to give a 
presentation on the work I am doing to clean up Japhet Creek and then lead 
a conversation on how we can do it better."  or "I will give an 
introductory workshop on nonviolent communication."

Lisa Heft recommended to me in an off-list email that traditional workshops 
and speeches not be part of the OS period - do that on the first day of the 
conference, and OS the second day.  What has been the experience of others.

One of my fears is that if the process format of the breakout groups is not 
specified they will all be free form discussions.  While that is fine for 
some conversations, I really like circle dialogues and more structured 
conversations, too.

Jimmy Pryor

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