[OSList] SA1 Re: Openspace and Toastmasters - A Taster

Mon Jan 2 09:40:23 PST 2012

A musing or two...

I have found that even in highly rigid organizational structures, OST becomes more and more natural when practiced over time.  And when used to practice being together on a regular basis, even 1.5 hour meetings can be fish and productive for introverts and extroverts.

It is important I think, when you are hosting, that you don't draw too much attention to the process itself.  It isn't necessary to point out differences between OST and Toastmasters.  Most everyone who is a toastmaster also lives their lives in open space, where their passions and responsibilities conspire to create the life they are leading.  All you are doing in bringing OST to your toastmasters community is inviting more passion and responsibility.

To that end it might be useful to conceive of a tm/OST meeting as one in which participants get to speak about a project and then invite others o join them for more dialogue.  In other words, invite a short timed speech of 30 seconds that is only and invitation to a longer speech.  That invitation also becomes a topic for further discussion and whoever wishes can attend.

In the sessions, invite a little structure.  Invite the host to speak for a timed period on their topic (that way they get the public speaking practice) but then require them to conclude with a question for discussion.  The next phase of the break out group then proves a chance for the speaker to listen to what is said and perhaps prompt conversation by using more questions.  Then, as the session draws to a close, the host has to do a one minute crisp and accurate summary of the conversation.

I believe that this design would offer lost of the best of Toastmasters, while introducing practice of a new skill to many speakers - listening.  It is one thing to deliver a great speech, but quite another to deliver that speech and then hold space for an inspired conversation on the topic.  I wish more speakers would know how to do that, and perhaps this design could have a beneficial impact on transforming public speaking from a one way mode of communication to a rich conversation starter.

Chris

---
CHRIS CORRIGAN
http://www.chriscorrigan.com
+1 604 947 9236

On 2012-01-02, at 6:19 AM, "Harrison Owen" <hhowen at verizon.net> wrote:

> I am sure it is irrelevant, and probably irreverent… but when I saw “TM” in the conversation, I never thought about Toastmasters. Probably says a lot about me, but that group of elegant speechifies had never been part of my experience. What came up was Transcendental Meditation, a guru brand that held some currency a few years back, and may still as far as I know. You can imagine my confusion.
>  
> 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
> www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST Go to:http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
>  
> From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Tim Lam
> Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 12:04 AM
> To: Jane Lewis; World wide Open Space Technology emaillist
> Subject: Re: [OSList] SA1 Re: Openspace and Toastmasters - A Taster
>  
> Thanks all for your valuable comments.
>  
> It is undeniable that futher discussions need to be held with the TM group to create a theme that sparks the passion of both groups involved.
>  
> I was also concerned very much about what Koos mentioned "Outlining the differences at the start of the meeting would only confuse people", and did myself once experiment with 'report-backs'.  I too found it made the end drag, despite attendees wanting to know what happened in the other sessions.
>  
> Anyways, I'll advise as the story unfolds.
>  
> Thanks,
>  
> Tim.
>  
> From: Jane Lewis <janeelewis at gmail.com>
> To: Tim Lam <timkylam at yahoo.com>; World wide Open Space Technology emaillist <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> 
> Sent: Monday, January 2, 2012 7:42 AM
> Subject: Re: [OSList] SA1 Re: Openspace and Toastmasters - A Taster
> 
> Tim, Juicy question for me:
> 
> > my original question:  how a balance can be made between the 'chaos' of OS and the 'rigidity' of TM?
> >  
> > Maybe there is none...
> 
> I say that because it makes me laugh, or amuses me. My mind doesn't comprehend, so I want to articulate what I heard (that you didn't say) that tickled me. I can't catch what balance might mean here. 
> 
> My simple view of the world: Someone(s) set a structure, tell a story about "come here and X will happen" and people either come or they don't. Then you get to watch/join in what really happens. And you get to stay as long as you want. Same for OS, same for TM.
> 
> I'm familiar with TM, from many different perspectives and involvement.
> 
> For me there's no either/or here. Let people get an invitation that indicates what's on offer and they'll decide by whatever conscious or unconscious criteria they happen to. 
> 
> So, I'm wondering what may feel out of balance for you in the situation. I'm thinking you can just do it, and watch *that* it works.
> 
> I read a suggestion that you might hold a conversation with a few people to decide the theme. When you find a group that lights up over something (a theme) and wants to discuss it, and is keen to invite others and get a place/time/tea supplies... your gig's on, yes? Then you can invite enthusiastically and be prepared to be surprised by it all.
> 
> I'm happy to hear what I missed as my mind processed your words through its myriad filters. Also, I'm curious to read how the story unfolds. 
> 
> Warm regards, Jane
> 
> _______________________________________________
> OSList mailing list
> To post send emails to OSList at lists.openspacetech.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to OSList-leave at lists.openspacetech.org
> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.openspacetech.org/pipermail/oslist-openspacetech.org/attachments/20120102/907f75e8/attachment-0008.htm>