Going underground as facilitator

Wed May 21 02:03:42 PDT 2008

Dear Marc,
you can dish out and fully receive only if you are participant from A 
through Z. And you can hold time and space, be fully present for that 
and at the same time invisible best when you stay in the role of 
facilitator. So, it might be a good idea to have just one of you four be 
the facilitator (you never need more than one regardless of how large 
the group) or to hire a facilitator outside of your system ( I will come!!).
I have experimented with all kinds of models. One of my "steady" 
clients, after having experienced me several times facilitating was very 
keen on providing faciliation from inside the system (very much like 
what you want to do)and having the faciliator be participant, too. We 
worked out an approach where two of the "insiders" teamed up with the 
idea that they would alternate the faciliation so that half of the time 
both could be either facilitator or participant. In addition, they hired 
me to coach them before, during and after the event. Of course, it 
worked and everybody learned a lot. Most important learning point: Never 
again because both of them felt torn and could not really fully be both 
facilitator and participant regardless of how much support system there was.
What does work in settings where people are familiar with the process is 
that all are both facilitators and participants (its a bit like the role 
of leader in the "InterActive Organisation" where everybody "leads" and 
sometimes even as in an "Inspired Organisation" where nobody "leads"). 
We have been practicing this within our retreats (2,5 days twice a year 
for several years now, including action planning on day 3)where 7 to 10 
of us get together in open space (all of us are facilitators with much 
experience with OST). It works well and it fits our needs. I think there 
are some other groups that meet in os regularly that have a similar 
practice. But this is very special in the sense of unusual "givens".
In the example given we all pitch in setting up the open space, 
preparing the buffet, copying proceedings, managing all details in the 
ongoing process...the introduction is done by sitting in the circle, the 
principles etc. all posted around the room, its mostly silent but this 
or that is also verbalized and when that is over we start writing down 
our issues, announce them....etc.
Have a great time
mmp

Marc Steinlin (I-P-K) wrote:
> Dear OS list members,
> 
> I have been following this list for almost two years now and have 
> enjoyed many of your conversations, learnings, ideas and inspirational 
> thoughts! Many thanks for all that valuable insight and encouragement!
> 
> I myself over the last 2 years have organised/ facilitated approx. 20 OS 
> all over the world (from Switzerland to South Africa, from Indonesia to 
> Ethiopia), some as large as 70 participants (unfortunately I never had 
> the opportunity for a larger group - would love to try that!), some as 
> small as 5 persons - and I (as well as the participants!) enjoy it 
> greatly each time!
> 
> We, the KM4Dev (a global community of practice on Knowledge Management 
> for Development; http://www.km4dev.org) have decided to run this year's 
> annual meeting over 2.5 days entirely as an OS. We are about four 
> persons who have already facilitated OS and are preparing the 
> facilitation of the event.
> 
> However, all of the four of us are also greatly interested in the topics 
> which will be discussed, it's certain that we also want to propose 
> topics for groups to work on. Therefore my question:
> 
> Is it possible, that a facilitator opens the Open Space, but once the 
> market place starts, she/ he will transform into a regular participant 
> and mingle with the rest? I always attached great importance to "holding 
> space" - I have never been doing anything actively, I have done my best 
> to get out of the way, however I have been there, almost invisible, but 
> still...
> Do you have any experience or advice on whether the facilitator can give 
> up her/ his role and become a normal participant until to the closing 
> circle?
> Alternatively, do you have any thoughts about rotating faciliators: 
> person A doing it on the first day, B on the second day, so that we all 
> have the opportunity to participate in the discussions with our own 
> topics? I guess none of us would want to limit her/ himself for the full 
> duration to just holding space...
> 
> Your experience is much appreciated!
> -marc
> 
> 
> 
> 
> IngeniousPeoplesKnowledge
> Marc Steinlin
> marc.steinlin at i-p-k.ch
> Skype: marcsteinlin
> 
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