Open Space in a private school

[Michael Wood]

Hi Nataly et al
 
1. We ran an Open Space with a large Anglican boys school (100 year
history) earlier in the year - about 90 people attended comprised
roughly one third parents, one third students and one third staff
(whoever comes are the right people and it just happened that this was
the way it panned out). I don't have the exact wording of the theme to
hand, but it was about building a diverse culture within the school. One
day event. Very good feedback. One 12 year old (Year 6) student stepped
right into the middle of the circle to convene a conversation on the
school becoming co-ed!!
 
2. I like your idea of an ongoing bulletin board for convening
conversations and would suggest that this be done AFTER a major launch
event, so that people have been introduced to an experience of OS
principles and self organisation. The bulletin board system would be a
way of experimenting with how to begin to embed OS principles in the
daily life of the school. However, I think you also need to make a
decision about whether you are using World Cafe or Open Space as they
are rather different systems.
 
3. I would certainly encourage you do the training with Lisa and maybe
get an experienced person in for your launch events as schools
(particularly staff) have, in my experience, lots of tradition of
command and control thinking and OS is often quite challanging for them
(however, it always works!)
 
Good luck - I reckon there are terrific possibilities for OS in schools
- children respond to it particularly well.
 
Regards
Michael Wood
Perth, Western Australia
 
 

________________________________

From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of nata
marchuk
Sent: Wednesday, 1 October 2008 4:18 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Open Space in a private school


Dear All!

I am in the process of thinking through a project of using OST in
private school, my children go to. I was so inspired by the OS on OS
conference in San Francisco this summer, so I could not stop thinking
about this wonderful approach. Our school is small and relatively
flexible, and we are looking for ways to  effectively communicate ideas,
thoughts and concerns that any part of PTA may have. 

I see it happening in two formats: on-going bulletin board with topics
that are interesting for people, providing available rooms for
discussion and possible solutions generating on the weekly basis with a
"World Cafe" rules. And a big school-wide OS conference 1 or 2 times a
year with the help of the outside facilitators. Ideally (in future) I
want our children to be able to use this tool for their ideas and
concerns! 

Do any of you know or have an experience of OST working at schools? Can
you please share any insights, warnings, ideas and/or support?

I am not a OST consultant/facilitator yet, although I am thinking of
taking a class with Lisa Heft in SF, and I know that people without
proper understanding/skill set can ruin not only one event but
appreciation for the OST as a whole for that group. So any critiques is
constructive for me, my goal is to learn, learn, learn!

Thank you in advance!

Warmly yours,

Nataly Marchuk
Independent Associate
Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.
Home office: (408) 749-0936
Mobile phone: (408) 420-0095
www.femida-network.com


	

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