Inquiry Circle

[Lisa Heft]

Hi, Jimmy --
 
[I have changed to title of our message to more closely reflect the
content, as it has shifted from finding folks in San Antonio to
describing what is an inquiry circle. That will make it easier for
anyone who may be looking up topics in the OSLIST archives at some
future time.]
 
Chris mentioned in an earlier message an Inquiry Circle I hosted at the
Open Space on Open Space world gathering in Halifax this August - and
Cliodhna had indeed asked us to share a description - so: thank you,
Jimmy for explaining it (I've been away with precious little time at my
computer).
 
Jimmy wrote:
< A format that I witnessed at last year's National Coalition for 
Dialogue and Democracy conference was an inquiry circle among a group 
of speakers before a plenary.  Six speakers spoke for several minutes 
on what they saw in the future for dialogue and deliberation.  In the 
inquiry circle, the facilitator posed a question to the first 
speaker.  The first speaker answered that question.  They then posed 
a new question for the next speaker, etc., until all had answered a 
question.  The went around a couple of times. Thus, a small group on 
stage had a type of dialogue that the large group witnessed.>
 
That is indeed where I learned it.  I was so excited, also, to
experience an audience-engagement panel process.  A further detail -
after the facilitator gave a question to the first panelist, who
answered it, shared a few thoughts on the subject and 'gifted' a
question to the next panelist, and so on through the 'panel' of invited
speakers - then the facilitator turned to the audience with the last
panelist's question to gift it to us.  The audience was sitting at small
round tables seating 4 or 5 people.  We continued the inquiry process at
our individual tables.  After going around the table, the full group was
reconvened in plenary to share threads and thoughts.
 
It was a really marvelous experience, as it was in our great group in
Halifax.  I just love it - it is a wonderful co-created experience
inviting deep listening and mutual appreciation.
 
Cheers from Berkeley, California, USA (I may be returning to San Antonio
Texas next for further work with the OpenSpaceniks there - ask Don,
Jimmy and maybe you can join us), 
 
Lisa
 
 

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