[OSList] My first OS

[Artur Silva]

Marvelous, Marie Ann.

Thanks for sharing.

Artur


________________________________
 From: Marie Ann Östlund <marieann.ostlund at gmail.com>
To: World wide Open Space Technology email list <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> 
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2012 8:19 AM
Subject: [OSList] My first OS
 
Dear all,

I sent this letter Saturday but it got stuck as I had added a photo to
it, but here it is again:

There is only one open space that will be the first, even if all of
them certainly will be unique. Since I facilitated my first open space
last weekend March 23-24, I thought to write something about it. I
find this email list both generous and helpful, and I admire the way
you're all supporting each other. In any case, here is my little
peanut of a contribution to the OSList bowl.

I held the open space at the Hare Krishna farm/village community in
Sweden (Järna), which hosts around 35 adults and 30 kids (most of them
below 10!). There are mostly independent families with kids living
there. I had suggested to them that they try OS. A few of them got it
immediately, but there was some scepticism as they suffer from quite
some meeting-fatigue .

Some desired we hold it around the spring equinox and an astrologer
pointed out the weekend after as excellent, if we could start on the
Friday. Considering people's work commitments, that they are early
risers, the children, we decided to hold a short inauguration of the
meetings in the evening instead of starting the OS or doing some
storytelling. They arranged for some recitation of mantras and
chanting, and the children led a big part of it. They were so good! We
also had some food, and the whole thing was really appreciated.

The main challenge for the community in regards to the meeting was to
engage the children so that the parents could attend. In the end they
sorted something out by themselves (as is of course the best).

By the end of the weekend (it was a 1 1/2 day event) they were
surprised of how relaxed the meetings were while being very efficient.
They experienced how OS got them into a collaborative instead of an
adversarial mood, and had a really good time. They would like to
continue the process. They also noticed who did not come and started
to think more deeply about who feels included and who does not. It's
nice to see how OS creates the clarity needed for action.

Some learnings/reflections:

We did one hour sessions, which was too short for some topics. Next we
time we could use 1 1/2hrs per session. Anyone having experiences of
mixing the length of time, like using 1 1/2 hr sessions in the morning
and 1hr sessions in the afternoon?

I could do a better introduction. I didn't prepare enough, and what I
had prepared was in English - and had to switch to Swedish on the
spot. I think simplicity really is the key, and getting out of the
way. :)

One person took the opportunity to organise a meeting demanding
parents attendance. I let that go, as they were discussing an
important topic for them. He also organised another one like that, but
this time people voted with their feet. I should have been more alert
to this.

In the end, some kids sat by me drawing, and one started to come up
with his own topics. I then gave them a part of the wall and asked
what they wanted and they came up with really good stuff. I think they
were really pleased to be asked. They wanted e.g. a more quiet temple
room and less running around in it, which surprised me as they usually
are the cause to the cacophony. It was a great learning, both in terms
of how kids can do OS quite effectively, and how it's so much better
to create the ground rules together than dictating them. And as
someone told me afterwards, the 'cause' of a problem should be
included in solving it as they are the experts in it.

I hope you're well. We're getting some snow tomorrow in Stockholm, but
are still keeping our hopes for spring alive! Happy Easter!

Best wishes,

Marie Ann Östlund

PS. A few pictures of the weekend:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150663955813785.392314.730693784&type=3&l=29b6f85440
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