Not ideal but worth the effort

Fri Sep 4 07:39:01 PDT 2009

Dear Suzanne,
I'm delighted about your ability and serenity to work in such uneasy
conditions.
Good work! People's reaction must have been gratifying also.
Personal preparation is key, sure, and you have done it so well!

I'd like to know a bit more about your work with the people from
NAMAC before and after the event,

Thanks for your detailed account,

Kind regards,
Eleder Aurtenetxe
BILBAO
(rainy again, good news, to have our streets back cleaner,
two weeks after city festivals having finished ;)

2009/9/4 OSLIST automatic digest system <LISTSERV at listserv.boisestate.edu>

> There are 3 messages totalling 415 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
>  1. Not ideal but worth the effort (2)
>  2. Taiwan 2009 Update
>
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> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date:    Thu, 3 Sep 2009 17:59:52 -0400
> From:    Suzanne Daigle <sdaigle4 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Not ideal but worth the effort
>
> --0016e64e4bdcd56a6c0472b3804c
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
>
> Back from Boston after facilitating =93A *Taste* of Open Space=94 at the
> NA=
> MAC
> (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=92 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 =96 25=85more?) over the 3 days of the
> conferen=
> ce.  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 =93TASTE of
> Op=
> en
> Space=94. 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=92s training materials, reading
> everythin=
> g I
> could get my hands on and seeking help from some OS trusted friends who
> wer=
> e
> so very generous, I felt calm, clear and grounded.  It wasn=92t about me;
> i=
> t
> 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 =96 free
> pres=
> s,
> documentary film producers, youth, arts, media, culture, democracy, etc.
>  T=
> he
> 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=85at all!  As people were writing and announcing their topics,
> man=
> y
> 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
> d=
> o
> 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-i=
> t
> 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
> t=
> o
> 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
> an=
> d
> while I know it could have been better, my commitment to be =93opening
> spac=
> e=94
> 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=92t get there, I will just try to do my best and not shut the door.
> I=
> f
> anyone wants to know more, I=92ll 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
> --=20
> 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
>
> *
> *
>
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>  -----------------------------
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
> view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>
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> http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
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> --0016e64e4bdcd56a6c0472b3804c
> Content-Type: text/html; charset=windows-1252
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
>
>
>
> <p>Back from Boston after facilitating =93A<span style=3D"color: rgb(255,
> 0=
> , 0);"> </span><b style=3D"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><i>Taste</i></b> of
> Open=
>  Space=94 at
> the NAMAC (National Alliance for Media, Arts and Culture)
> Conference.<span>=
> =A0 </span>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
> use=
> d
> blue painters=92 tape. </p>
>
> <p>Looking back, I would not have traded a minute of this
> experience. Yes, it could have been so much better but ultimately it was
> wo=
> rth
> it based on the number of conversations (20 =96 25=85more?) over the 3
> days=
>  of the
> conference.<span>=A0 </span>I had 90 minutes on the
> first morning with the plenary group to OPEN SPACE: announce the OS
> questio=
> n tied
> to their theme (Lisa Heft was so helpful in offering some ideas with lots
> o=
> f
> other invaluable tips too), to explain the principles and the Law, to
> build=
>  an
> agenda, and <span>=A0</span>to open a marketplace. Within
> an hour, no less than 15 groups were talking.<span>=A0
> </span>I called it the Speed Dating of OPEN SPACE clearly indicating that
> t=
> his
> was just a =93TASTE of Open Space=94. 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.<span>=A0 </span></p>
>
> <p>I thought I would be a basket case but somehow having
> meditated twice daily for the 10 days preceding this event, rehearsing on
> m=
> y outside
> patio over and over, scouring Diane Gibeault=92s training materials,
> readin=
> g
> 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. <span>=
> =A0</span>It wasn=92t about me; it was about the
> participants! The night before, working with a few volunteers, I took the
> t=
> ime
> to quietly walk the room and did so again the next morning.<span>=A0
> </span=
> >And I thought of this audience and my passion
> for their cause =96 free press, documentary film producers, youth, arts,
> me=
> dia, culture,
> democracy, etc. <span>=A0</span>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
> visua=
> lize
> a giant circle as part of my intro. Not the same=85at all!<span>=A0
> </span>=
> As people were writing and announcing their
> topics, many started conversations around their tables and I had to bring
> t=
> hem
> back to attention a few times.<span>=A0 </span>I feel we
> could have had 60 to 75 topics in those first 15 minutes instead of the 30
> =
> we
> got.<span>=A0 </span>Others topics were added later and
> some folks posted Summary Reports from their discussions.</p>
>
> <p>Over the 3 days, there were six 90 minute OS timeslots on
> the program not including the Closing (no circle there either).<span>=A0
> </=
> span>What I invited people to do was to live the 4
> Principles of OS and the Law of 2 Feet <span>=A0</span>(Butterfly and
> Bumbl=
> e Bee) throughout the
> conference and even beyond.<span>=A0 </span>We had blank
> post-it notes so they could schedule their sessions anytime, anywhere and
> t=
> hey
> did: in the coffee shop, in the bar (15 people form 10 pm until past
> midnig=
> ht),
> early morning and lunchtime as well as in the assigned locations in our
> ple=
> nary
> room which became the OPEN SPACE hub. What they said they appreciated most
> =
> was
> the gift of choice and freedom.</p>
>
> <span style=3D"font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">As I watched the
> conver=
> sations 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.
> <span>=A0</span>T=
> he feedback was extremely positive and while
> I know it could have been better, my commitment to be =93opening space=94
> f=
> or
> people wherever and however I can from the heart is what drives me now.
> <sp=
> an>=A0</span>Yes I will always push for optimal conditions
> as I feel I must. But if I can=92t get there, I will just try to do my
> best=
>  and
> not shut the door. <span>=A0</span><span>=A0</span>If anyone wants to know
> =
> more, I=92ll gladly share
> all that I lived and felt during those three days.<span>=A0 </span>I owe
> so=
>  much to this community. Thank you everyone.
> </span><br><br>Link to some of the NAMAC OS photos: <a href=3D"
> http://www.f=
> lickr.com/photos/namac/page5/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/namac/page5/
> </a=
> ><br><br clear=3D"all">Suzanne<br>-- <br>Suzanne Daigle<br>NuFocus
> Strategi=
> c Group<br>
> 7159 Victoria Circle<br>University Park, FL 34201<br>FL 941-359-8877;
> =A0CT=
>  203-722-2009<br><a href=3D"http://www.nufocusgroup.com"
> target=3D"_blank">=
> www.nufocusgroup.com</a><br>
> <a href=3D"mailto:s.daigle at nufocusgroup.com"
> target=3D"_blank">s.daigle at nuf=
> ocusgroup.com</a><br>
> <input type=3D"hidden"><input type=3D"hidden"><div></div>
> <input id=3D"gwProxy" type=3D"hidden"><input onclick=3D"jsCall();"
> id=3D"js=
> Proxy" type=3D"hidden"><div id=3D"refHTML"></div>
> *
> *
>
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>  -----------------------------
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
> view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>
> To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
> http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>
> --0016e64e4bdcd56a6c0472b3804c--
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date:    Thu, 3 Sep 2009 22:28:46 -0400
> From:    douglas germann <76066.515 at compuserve.com>
> Subject: Re: Not ideal but worth the effort
>
> Suzanne--
>
> Wonderful! You did it better than well! Courage looks good on you.
>
> Please say more about inviting people to open sessions wherever and
> whenever. It feels very viral, and not at all confined to the times
> allotted to you. And a little sneaky!
>
>                        :- Doug.
>
>
>
> On Thu, 2009-09-03 at 17:59 -0400, Suzanne Daigle 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
> >
> >
> > * * ==========================================================
> > OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU ------------------------------ To
> > subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of
> > oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about
> > OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
> > http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>
> *
> *
> ==========================================================
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
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> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
> view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
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>
> To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
> http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date:    Fri, 4 Sep 2009 12:50:32 +0800
> From:    Gail West <icataiw at ms69.hinet.net>
> Subject: Taiwan 2009 Update
>
> A beautiful Taiwan autumn is on the horizon!
>
> After a blistering July and August, the weather has made a turn.
> Cooling evening and early morning rains have brought temperatures
> down, and the humidity is decreasing as we move toward a lovely mild
> fall.  Make your plans now to enjoy not only the city of Taipei, but
> the surrounding coast, hilly regions and mountains!  Just google
> "Taiwan", or try out  some links on the WOSONOS website:
> http://www.frontier.org.tw/2009wosonos/index.html
>
> And get your registrations in!  We'd like to have a final count by 20
> September in order to fine tune the last minute preparations.    As
> many of our open space colleagues are not on this listserve, please
> share the information with them.  Looking forward to see many of you
> here!
>
> Anything we can do to support your trip?  Just let us know at:
> wosonostaiwan at gmail.com.
>
> The 2009 17th WOSONOS in Taiwan Host Team
> --
> Gail West
> ICA
> 3F, No. 12, Lane 5, Tien Mou West Road
> Taipei, Taiwan 111
> 8862) 2871-3150
> SKYPE   gwestica
>
> *
> *
> ==========================================================
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
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> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
> view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
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>
> To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
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>
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>
> End of OSLIST Digest - 2 Sep 2009 to 3 Sep 2009 (#2009-232)
> ***********************************************************
>

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