Going underground as facilitator

Wed May 21 06:07:46 PDT 2008

Harrison, those are some of the wisest words I've ever read. Thank you!

Jack

2008/5/21 Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net>:

>  Marc – I have done what you are proposing (actively participate in a
> gathering I facilitate) on multiple occasions and have never encountered any
> problems, and I rather think you will have a similar experience. I would
> never suggest that you try such a thing if it were your first experience
> facilitating an Open Space, but that is obviously not the case.
>
>
>
> The art of Holding Space is of course critical and because it is so
> different from what most people have come to understand "facilitation" to
> mean – it is just too easy for the first time facilitator to get sucked into
> the action and forget to mind the store. But with experience, at least in my
> experience, you can keep that old intuitive sense alive and functioning even
> when actively engaged in a conversation of passionate concern to you. As I
> think about it, this is probably where we all hope to end up anyhow. At some
> level every conversation is an Open Space, and the more open the space, the
> better the conversation. And a really great conversation has a powerful
> (passionate) focus while still being open to everything else that is going
> on in the environment.
>
>
>
> Approaching the same thoughts from a slightly different point of view, I
> find that when a group really begins to groove/cook/work – space holding is
> a community activity. In fact, enabling a group to reach a point where it
> will effectively "hold its own space," might well be the Holy Grail of OST.
>
>
>
> So anyhow, I would think that rather than a problem, you have a real
> opportunity to enhance your own capacity as facilitator by moving into that
> marvelously "zeny" place where you are simultaneously attached and
> non-attached – passionately concerned about an issue and always free to move
> beyond. And if you want to share this opportunity with your colleagues
> (different people opening space every day) that would work for me, or at
> least it always has.
>
>
>
> Have fun!
>
>
>
> Harrison
>
>
>
> Harrison Owen
>
> 7808 River Falls Drive
>
> Potomac, Maryland   20854
>
> Phone 301-365-2093
>
> Skype hhowen
>
> Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
>
> Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
>
> Personal website www.ho-image.com
>
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>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> *From:* OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] *On Behalf Of *Marc
> Steinlin (I-P-K)
> *Sent:* Tuesday, May 20, 2008 1:18 AM
> *To:* OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> *Subject:* Going underground as facilitator
>
>
>
> 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
>
>
>
> PO Box 27494
>
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>
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>
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>
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>
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>
>
>
>  P *Help save paper - do you really need to print this email ?*
>
>
>
> 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
> change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.' *Margaret
> Mead*
>
>
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-- 
Jack Martin Leith
Bristol, United Kingdom
Mobile: 07831 840541 (+44 7831 840541)
Skype: jackmartinleith
email: jack at jackmartinleith.com
www.jackmartinleith.com

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