[OSList] Signing up for sessions

[Birgitt Williams]

Warm greetings,

This is a subject I will chime in on. I don't have anyone sign up onto the
session of their choosing. In thinking of one thing less to do, there was
very little point to do so. In the end, people end up going where they feel
inspired to go, and the signing up process didn't add value. I always keep
the space in the plenary area free of small group sessions.and simply invite
the groups, if they discover they are too big, to come back and use space in
the plenary area. I remember a meeting that Harrison and I did some years
back, and a large group of about 40 people stayed in the plenary session for
the full four session times of the day.the session was 'the conflict' and
was able facilitated all day long by three amazing women. The same 40 people
didn't stay but it was always about 40 in the room.

 

One additional reason I stopped doing sign ups for the sessions is about the
marking pens. I had a terrible incident in a community OST meeting
commissioned by a government, in which as people dropped the marking pens
onto the floor after signing up, they became a safety hazard as some seniors
slipped on them and tumbled to the floor.never again for me. The marking
pens at the start are kept in the center until the topics go up, and then
are available later on a table.but not along that congested agenda wall.

 

Good luck with your event,

Birgitt

 

From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
[mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Harrison Owen
Sent: Saturday, November 05, 2011 9:07 AM
To: 'World wide Open Space Technology email list'
Subject: Re: [OSList] Signing up for sessions

 

I always invite the participants to take a writing implement and sign their
name on the session(s) of their choosing - always making clear that this is
not a "firm contract" - but an indication of intention and interest. At the
end of the day, it remains true - that whoever comes are the right people.
But the signatures do give some useful information as to whether the "right
people" will be a lot or a few. In smaller groups with lots of free space,
that information really doesn't make a lot of difference. But when you have
a large number of participants, it can be helpful, especially when the break
out space are confined. When you see a session paper covered with signatures
that can suggest that a change of venue to a larger space may be in order.
This is not something you need to worry about as facilitator. The folks will
take care of the business. For yourself just count it as one more thing NOT
to do.

 

Harrison

 

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854

USA

 

189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)

Camden, Maine 20854

 

Phone 301-365-2093

(summer)  207-763-3261

 

www.openspaceworld.com

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From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
[mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Rob van der
Eyden
Sent: Saturday, November 05, 2011 3:10 AM
To: oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
Subject: [OSList] Signing up for sessions

 

Hi all,

 

I am preparing an Open space later this week. My first one. So was going
through the book yesterday. Sounds all good and exciting.

 

On - probably stupid - question though: after the issues have been raised,
agenda made and marketplace opened, how do participants sign up for
sessions? Is that really by subscribing on paper or just by showing up at
the time and place that was planned for the session?

 

Thanks & best regards, Rob

 

De Veranderarchitect B.V.

 

Rob A.I. van der Eyden

 

"Change is disturbing when it is done to us, exhilerating when it is done by
us" (K. Moss Kanter)

 

Parkietstraat 30, 1171 HV  Badhoevedorp

M: +31 (0)6 512 72 127

 <mailto:robvandereyden at veranderarchitect.nl>
robvandereyden at veranderarchitect.nl

www.veranderarchitect.nl <http://www.veranderarchitect.nl/> 

 

kiva.png  Make a Small Loan, Make a Big Difference - Check out
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