USB-sticks and computer station during OST + some more..

[Lisa Heft]

Hi, Diane -

 

Diane wrote:

< I'm getting the feeling for it now. My FS & AI & WC experiences did not
have a "newsroom" component, so I'm in learning mode about this part. In the
other processes, the notes were on newsprints or table covers or worksheets,
which got typed up after the event was over, and then sent out or posted
online. Leaving with the record is something I've never experienced.>

 

Some of us feel the group needs to leave with a record - some of us feel
that the record available throughout the event (posting hard-copy discussion
notes on a Breaking News wall) works in a similar way (shows participants
their accomplishments, gives them data for defining action planning if that
is part of the design, gives them data for the conversations still to come)
-- and participants can receive their own copy within a week or two
post-event (which can also work to reinvigorate the energy and carry forward
the momentum of the event as the mind and body remember what it felt like).

 

It also depends upon the design and the ability of the hosting team.  If the
OS is very short, participants may find it harder to leave their discussions
to go transcribe their notes.  Or if there is not time for the host team to
produce a document (not a long enough OS, for example).  And of course, if
there is not the technology (computers, printers, photocopy shops) to do so
or if culture (language, literacy, and other cultural issues) informs
another way of doing things (having someone illustrate the event during the
process, storytellers sharing the news, whatever works for the community
being served).  All of these things affect whether and how documentation is
done.  

 

The idea is that - for notes - the participants themselves should ideally be
the ones responsible for transcribing the notes, not a team of secretaries
or the host team.  Open Space is based on passion and personal
responsibility.  Though in cases where there is not enough time together, or
literacy issues, or other reasons, others can support the OS by acting
specifically as scribes at flip-charts or laptops or by transcribing notes
post-event.  The possible problem here lies both in taking responsibility
away from the participants (but can't be helped if the OS is very short) and
in interpreting peoples' notes-writing.  The other elements that are lost
with someone else transcribing notes are 1) the way people work together at
the Newsroom to help each other think through their notes and 2) the way
sitting, thinking, reflecting and 'reading between the lines' can help a
participant add more to their notes and increase their depth and clarity.  

 

Are you thinking of a particular event - and if so does the design include
the time within the OS itself for which to make all this happen?  Is the
cost for technology a reasonable burden for the host team?  Are you using
the distribution of the Book of Proceedings within the meeting to help
people read the data before they re-open the space for action planning
sessions, or.?

 

Ahhh, more questions.

 

Lisa

 

___________________________

L i s a   H e f t

Consultant, Facilitator, Educator

O p e n i n g  S p a c e

Berkeley, California, USA

lisaheft at openingspace.net

www.openingspace.net 

 

 


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