SV: Holding space in the small group

[Thomas Herrmann]

Dear Doug
In my OS-meetings I always provide a little paper for the conveners to bring
to their group, inviting to start with a round, like your point A and
actually also finishing with a round. There is also a reminder to "talk from
yourself" (in Sweden we have a tendency to use a word like "one should..."
instead of "I should"), "use the knowledge in the group" "note what emerges
in the conversations".

In my opening I offer this as one option which I think works fine BUT I
clearly express that this is an offer and that they may start any way they
choose to.

>From time to time I have overheard the start of conversations in small
groups and I think that it is an extraordinarily good way to get everyone to
use their voice, check in and get an interest in listening to each other by
hearing so many different perspectives at once.

I´ve actually been to small groups where I never felt invited to share my
thoughts - during OS-meetings - actually OSonOS´s which are one of the rare
occasions where I don´t facilitate.

If the "small groups" are large I guess they more often use other ways of
starting off. But that also may depend on the overall timeframe.
Best regards & good Night
Thomas Herrmann 

-----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
Från: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] För douglas germann
Skickat: den 1 mars 2007 02:08
Till: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Ämne: Holding space in the small group

Hi--

Let's say you are taking part in an open space meeting. You are not the
host and you are not the facilitator. You go to your first breakout
session.

     1. How do you hold space in the small group?
     2. What small group processes do you tend to favor to encourage the
        most open conversations?

                For instance I have seen variations of these processes:
                A. Go around the circle and have each person say their
                name and why this session is important to them; B. The
                convenor starts by telling Why I called this session; C.
                The convenor gives a seminar on the topic; D. Someone
                grabs the flip chart and starts a brainstorming session;
                E. A listening stick is passed around.
                
                What works best in which settings? Does the size of the
                group (3 people; 9 people; 27 people) require different
                processes?

				:- Doug. Germann

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