Not ideal but worth the effort

Fri Sep 4 07:15:57 PDT 2009

Thanks Suzanne for sharing this, a learning experience for all of us.
Elisabeth
Venezuela

On Thu, Sep 3, 2009 at 5:29 PM, Suzanne Daigle <sdaigle4 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Back from Boston after facilitating “A *Taste* of Open Space” at the NAMAC
> (National Alliance for Media, Arts and Culture) Conference.  This was my
> first large event (300+ participants); did not have that much lead time to
> prepare; and the circumstances were less than ideal: blended with workshops,
> no opportunity to sit in a circle and for a while, I worried about wall
> space and ability to use masking tape on the walls of this ornate room in a
> historical hotel. We used blue painters’ tape.
>
> Looking back, I would not have traded a minute of this experience. Yes, it
> could have been so much better but ultimately it was worth it based on the
> number of conversations (20 – 25…more?) over the 3 days of the conference.
> I had 90 minutes on the first morning with the plenary group to OPEN SPACE:
> announce the OS question tied to their theme (Lisa Heft was so helpful in
> offering some ideas with lots of other invaluable tips too), to explain the
> principles and the Law, to build an agenda, and  to open a marketplace.
> Within an hour, no less than 15 groups were talking.  I called it the
> Speed Dating of OPEN SPACE clearly indicating that this was just a “TASTE of
> Open Space”. I said it would be an opportunity for them to find each other
> quickly by connecting with others who shared their passion on common topics.
>
>
> I thought I would be a basket case but somehow having meditated twice daily
> for the 10 days preceding this event, rehearsing on my outside patio over
> and over, scouring Diane Gibeault’s training materials, reading everything I
> could get my hands on and seeking help from some OS trusted friends who were
> so very generous, I felt calm, clear and grounded.  It wasn’t about me; it
> was about the participants! The night before, working with a few volunteers,
> I took the time to quietly walk the room and did so again the next morning.
> And I thought of this audience and my passion for their cause – free press,
> documentary film producers, youth, arts, media, culture, democracy, etc.  The
> hardest part was not having the circle and people writing and posting the
> topics at the back of the room. Clearly all the OS practitioners are right
> that you NEED a circle to keep the energy focused in the middle in spite of
> the fact that I had them visualize a giant circle as part of my intro. Not
> the same…at all!  As people were writing and announcing their topics, many
> started conversations around their tables and I had to bring them back to
> attention a few times.  I feel we could have had 60 to 75 topics in those
> first 15 minutes instead of the 30 we got.  Others topics were added later
> and some folks posted Summary Reports from their discussions.
>
> Over the 3 days, there were six 90 minute OS timeslots on the program not
> including the Closing (no circle there either).  What I invited people to
> do was to live the 4 Principles of OS and the Law of 2 Feet  (Butterfly
> and Bumble Bee) throughout the conference and even beyond.  We had blank
> post-it notes so they could schedule their sessions anytime, anywhere and
> they did: in the coffee shop, in the bar (15 people form 10 pm until past
> midnight), early morning and lunchtime as well as in the assigned locations
> in our plenary room which became the OPEN SPACE hub. What they said they
> appreciated most was the gift of choice and freedom.
> As I watched the conversations happening from afar, I felt such gratitude
> to have had the courage to do this. People came by to share quietly as I
> cleaned up coffee cups, trash, etc.  The feedback was extremely positive
> and while I know it could have been better, my commitment to be “opening
> space” for people wherever and however I can from the heart is what drives
> me now.  Yes I will always push for optimal conditions as I feel I must.
> But if I can’t get there, I will just try to do my best and not shut the
> door.   If anyone wants to know more, I’ll gladly share all that I lived
> and felt during those three days.  I owe so much to this community. Thank
> you everyone.
>
> Link to some of the NAMAC OS photos:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/namac/page5/
>
> Suzanne
> --
> Suzanne Daigle
> NuFocus Strategic Group
> 7159 Victoria Circle
> University Park, FL 34201
> FL 941-359-8877;  CT 203-722-2009
> www.nufocusgroup.com
> s.daigle at nufocusgroup.com
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-- 
Elisabeth Tepper K.
elitepperk at gmail.com
58 212 986 4254
58 416 424 7359
58 424 256 5855

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