AW: beyond balloons - how it looks like

Tue Apr 22 13:40:26 PDT 2008

I like to ask the client what they want to call their group spaces or what
symbols they want to choose to identify them. When using names of famous
people in the field, it has proven helpful to also use a short code (like
letters or numbers) on the agenda signs displaying the names, because for
the office people, this makes the administration tasks much easier.

AND I haven't come across the balloon idea yet in the almost 20 years I've
been around OS. What a great idea. Thank you all for sharing your stories.

Love, C.

Catherine Pfaehler Senn

lic.oec.HSG

Open Space Begleitung

Kellersriedweg 8

CH - 2503 Biel

+41-(0)32 - 365 68 41

c.pfaehler at bluewin.ch

  _____  

Von: Erich Kolenaty [mailto:e.kolenaty at aon.at] 
Gesendet: Montag, 21. April 2008 15:34
Betreff: Re: beyond balloons - how it looks like

If you want to see what Harrison describes, follow this link:

http://www.transformation.at/index.php?art_id=46

Erich from lovely Vienna

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Harrison Owen <mailto:hhowen at verizon.net>  

To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU 

Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 9:40 PM

Subject: Re: [OSLIST] beyond balloons

I am not sure that there is anything beyond balloons. For me they are the
ultimate! Of course, I might be prejudicially partial, but then again I was
introduced to the whole matter by a master. You will recall the gathering of
2108 German Psychiatrists which Michael Pannwitz and I facilitated several
years ago. It took place in the town of Wurzburg (sp?), and because Michael
was closer (Berlin) he took responsibility for logistics.

The town of Wurzburg is a lovely place, and has a most delightful convention
center. Unfortunately the main hall was not of sufficient size to handle an
Open Space of record proportions. The solution was brilliant! Two circus
tents in an open field! So we had the space, but also a problem. How do you
designate break out areas for what turned out to be 236 groups?  Of course
you could put signs around the edges, but tent walls tend to be rather low
and all the people would be mushed on the outside. Michael came up with a
winner. Helium filled balloons tied to a sack of sand, each bearing a
special number. Just imagine a large circus tent with 236 colored balloons
dancing all over the floor. And it got better.

If posting breakout space designations was a problem - how would you handle
the essential signs (Principles and Law) to say nothing of Butterflies and
Bumble Bees? Michael came through gloriously. Each sign was taped to a thin
stick to which were attached half a dozen balloons. Let loose, they floated
elegantly about the tent. And much more of the same with the Bumble Bees and
Butterflies! Lots and lots - floating free! 

It was just beautiful - some might even think odd - or crazy. But we had no
worries. After all we had 2108 Psychiatrists in attendance.

Harrison

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Drive

Potomac, Maryland   20854

Phone 301-365-2093

Skype hhowen

Open Space Training  <http://www.openspaceworld.com/> www.openspaceworld.com

Open Space Institute  <http://www.openspaceworld.org/>
www.openspaceworld.org

Personal website  <http://www.ho-image.com/> www.ho-image.com 

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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Martin
Boroson
Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 1:46 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: beyond balloons

Hello all

I'd love to know what you use to designate breakout spaces in a large
conference room.  

I've been using bunches of balloons, taped to the wall (and then referring
to the red, blue, green, yellow areas, etc.).  

I am indeed very partial to balloons.  

But not every client wants the room to look like a circus - at the outset,
anyway.   :) 

Marty

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