OS in Conference setting - 1 min podcast

Mon Apr 14 04:36:03 PDT 2008

Hi John and all,

Good questions and suggestions in that thread. To 
me, even a short opening is really important to 
set the tone, create a climate in that room, that 
continues being even after a bunch of people 
left. These people may talk to others, who may 
come later and feel and see the "space" as they come in.

I agree wish Shirley that greeters are important: 
I did a 4-hour OS at the Forum social québécois 
last year that turned out as two 2-hour sessions 
because of the way it was announced in the 
program. So a whole bunch of people left after 
the first two hours, and another bunch came in 
after. The Markeplace wall was there, and the 
principles and law posted, so we used that to do 
a quick "individual opening" for people coming 
in. It worked all right. Of course come people 
had a look around and left, but some posted new 
topics to the end of the wall and had people show up at their session.

As for the focus, you have good questions in the 
short presentation blurb on the website, and the 
principles and the law are there. It's intriguing 
and will no doubt bring people to your space. I 
might add a subtitle after "open space" . 
Something like "What more do we want to learn, 
share and explore with each other before we all 
go our separate ways?" or "What have we learned 
at this STAREAST Conference, and how can we use 
it?". Just an idea. My session at Forum social 
québécois was towards the end of the forum, and 
the question in the program and in a banner up 
over the Marketplace wall was sort of asking what 
next? The intention was to use the session to 
discuss the learnings and the possible applications back home.

I like Michael's suggestion to gather people for 
a short closing and leave the notes up. I don't 
know if you'll have computers or post flip chart 
notes, but these notes will also contribute to 
the space, the discussions and the climate. 
Posting various things on the wall, about the 
surprises, the bumblebees and all might help to 
compensate for the shorter opening. Michael has a 
great list on his website : 
http://www.michaelherman.com/cgi/wiki.cgi?OpenSpaceTechnology/SampleOpeningScript 
under "Veteran Strategies". Maybe even a more 
"traditional" Open Space invitation at the entrance of the room?

That's my two cents. I'm sure you'll open and 
hold a fantastic space! People coming will 
discover a different way of doing things. Your 
own presence and holding of the space will in itself communicate a lot.

Have fun with this project, and be ready to be surprised!

Esther Matte

At 10:47 2008-04-12, John Engle wrote:
>hi doug et al.
>
>thank you for your messages and ideas, Doug and Raffi.
>
>here's the text, Doug:
>
>I’m John Engle, and I’ll be organizing the “Open 
>Space” learning area at STAREAST.  What is “Open 
>Space?” Simply put, it’s a meeting method that 
>allows people to come together to suggest and 
>discuss topics that they’re passionate about. We 
>provide the venue, and you provide the expertise!
>Though the STAREAST program covers a vast number 
>of software testing topics, there is no way to 
>touch on everything. That’s where Open Space 
>comes in. It’s a place where you set the agenda. 
>Whether it’s discussing something more in depth 
>or examining a topic that’s not on the program, 
>Open Space is the place to convene.  It’s like 
>an extended coffee break with a tad of 
>structure; a gathering place for you, your ideas, and your colleagues.
>
>At STAREAST, you’re going to have the best of 
>both worlds: great keynotes,  tutorials, and 
>concurrent session AND a space for YOU your 
>colleagues to identify and address what’s emerging in real-time.
>Look for Open Space on Thursday and Friday next 
>to the Registration Desk at STAREAST. See you there!
>
>thanks again raffi and doug.
>
>John
>
>douglas germann <76066.515 at compuserve.com> wrote:
>John--
>
>Wonderful inviting language you use.
>
>I want to steal it. Is it possible for you to share a text version of
>the script for your podcast?
>
>As to what you call it, how about if you just use lower case open space
>rather than the caps? Or "opening space?"
>
>:- Doug.
>
>
>
>
>On Fri, 2008-04-11 at 19:00 -0700, John Engle wrote:
> > Dear fellow listers,
> >
> > I've been working with an innovative company that does four
> > conferences annually. Attendance ranges from 500 to 1,100.
> >
> > For a multitude of reasons, organizers are not interested in using
> > pure OS (open space) for any of their conferences. But, they are
> > extremely interested in creating some opportunity for participants and
> > speakers to self-organize.
> >
> > We experimented during their December conference with a bit of OS.
> > About 50-60 of the 500 attendees made use of the OS sessions. Many
> > more browsed the area to look at topics and check it out. Given
> > constraints and challenges, conference organizers were satisfied with
> > results and decided to experiment with OS in their four conferences
> > this year. They also decided to be more intentional about promoting
> > it.
> >
> > Click here to listen to podcast promoting OS for their May conference:
> > 
> http://www.stickyminds.com/ControlImages/StickyMinds/Image/Podcast/Audio/John_Engle_STAREAST_2008_blurb.mp3
> >
> > Click here to see how OS is presented on conference website:
> > http://www.sqe.com/STAREAST/Events/Default.aspx
> >
> > All things considered I proposed to organizers that we do away with
> > opening and closing circle. Am I a heretic? I also proposed that we
> > might consider calling it something different but organizers really
> > like the "open space" label. At the conference, I'll take about 5-7
> > minutes before a keynote speaker to explain to 800+ people how our
> > "open space" will work and where to find me. Then, I'll just hang out
> > for two days hosting the space.
> >
> > All the principles along with the law will be posted. And of-course,
> > there will be a bulletin board where people post topics.
> >
> > So, is this an innovative way to invite self-organization into a
> > traditional conference? Am I a heretic in still calling it open
> > space?
> >
> > What am I missing?
> >
> > I welcome your thoughts.
> >
> > I don't take for granted the beauty of being able to use a somewhat
> > recognized term--"open space"--and having the liberty to adapt it to a
> > particular context. Equally if not more significant, this message will
> > reach hundreds of insightful people in a multitude of countries who
> > shape the way I think.
> >
> > Harrison, your approach to leadership continues to stimulate and
> > inspire me.
> >
> > With gratitude,
> >
> > John Engle
> >
> >
> > www.johnengle.net
> > www.circlesofchange.com
> > * * ==========================================================
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