FW: Open Space with seniors

[Suzanne Daigle]

LOL...Laughing out loud at this Newsroom Open Space rebuttal as I watch
Golden Girls (re-run of a popular TV comedy show) with my mom at my parent's
assisted living facility populated with many such spunky folks.

Catherine I think they will love every magical moment of Open Space exactly
as it is, simple with no special space for story telling or any hand
holding.  At a certain age, we don't have to impress or prove anything and
with a lifetime of experiences and insights, I'll bet time will just fly by
with no yawn in sight.

I'll always remember the first Open Space that I facilitated at a major
conference. An older gentleman posted a topic titled Sexuality and
Consciousness.  I'll admit that I was curious and as I held the space, I
nudged a bit closer to listen to bits and pieces of the conversation between
two older guys and a younger gent. As I eavesdropped, I was so touched
hearing them share how sad it is that in our Western society, men can't hug
casually with each other or with acquaintances, walk arm in arm or
experience the type of physical closeness that women take for granted. I'll
never forget what I heard those few brief moments. Significant, meaningful
and important.

So all I can say is *Enjoy *and *Be prepared to be Surprised!

Suzanne living in the retiree capital of sunny Florida.
*




On Mon, Nov 22, 2010 at 9:48 AM, Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net> wrote:

>
>
> Catherine – couldn’t resist this story. In the late 90’s the  advisory
> council of the AARP (American Association of Retired People – average age,
> late 70’s) wanted to consider their future. Two day Open Space – standard
> model with people writing their own reports on Computers – which most of the
> participants had never used before and some had never seen. I was a little
> worried, but shouldn’t have been. At the end of the first day I came upon a
> lady, well into her 80’s, working on her report. It happened that she had
> identified THE issue, and she arrived at the computer with tons of news
> print. There she sat squinting at the news print and entering her report
> with one finger. Normally I wouldn’t suggest it, but I did feel that I
> should at least offer to help. Which I did. The lady listened to my offer
> and then turned on me in an abrupt manner. She said, “No young man. I will
> write my own report.”
>
>
>
> No worries.
>
>
>
> Harrison **
>
>
>
> Harrison Owen
>
> 7808 River Falls Dr.
>
> Potomac, MD 20854
>
> USA
>
> Phone 301-365-2093
>
> www.openspaceworld.com
>
> www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)
>
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>
> *From:* OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] *On Behalf Of *Catherine
> Pfaehler
> *Sent:* Sunday, November 21, 2010 4:12 PM
> *To:* OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> *Subject:* Open Space with seniors
>
>
>
> Dear friends
>
>
>
> I have been asked by the Grey Panthers (a political organisation of
> seniors) to briefly present OST to them on Tuesday, Nov. 30th. Most of
> them are 55 years old or older. They want to have a one-day-event dealing
> with their future and their image. At the same time, my contact tells me
> that many of them like to tell stories from their earlier lives when they
> were still working, and most of them think that a whole day is too long for
> them. Some have also become a bit fatalist, not caring too much about the
> future anymore.
>
>
>
> Please let me know what your experiences are when facilitating OST for
> seniors, and how to deal with the above contradictions, i.e. how to give
> enough time for storytelling when at the same time one entire day might be
> too long for them to attend.
>
>
>
> I will be out of my office for a week now, but would be delighted to find
> some of your answers in OSLIST by then. Thank you already!!!
>
>
>
> With gratitude, Catherine
>
>
>
> Catherine Pfaehler
>
> lic.oec.HSG
>
> Open Space Begleitung
>
> Burckhardtstrasse 2
>
> CH - 3008 Bern
>
> Telefon +41-(0)31 - 536 05 31
>
> Mobile  +41-(0)76 - 488 15 46
>
> c.pfaehler at open-space-begleitung.ch
>
> www.open-space-begleitung.ch
>
>
>
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-- 
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
twitter @suzannedaigle

*
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