[OSList] Openspace and Toastmasters - A Taster

[Mark Pixley]

Dear Eric,

Thanks for your contribution. It is interesting to see how you have used
facilitation in Toastmasters.  I particularly like your reframing of OS &
TM.  I remember an early story about how TM originally did not have a fix
set of speeches and there was actually a lot of resistance to creating the
manuals.

I joined Toastmasters at about the same time I started my facilitation
journey.

I found that it provided a great location to practice facilitation, whether
by leading a conversation or holding a planning meeting.  I did some of my
earliest large group projects there also.  These were often called
"Trainings" but we did Strategic Planning, Future Search and Open Space
during the various trainings.  I was perhaps fortunate to be in an
"Un-districted" region at that time (Taiwan) which was in the process of
becoming a District.  As a result there was a lot of space for
experimentation. I found that it was important to have support of the
organizational officers, and that some found these processes helpful and
other were less interested.

On a broader TM note, some of the global leadership of Toastmasters is very
familiar and supported of facilitation & OST.  In particular, George Yen
who is First Vice President and was a member of my club in Taiwan.  We
might want to think about how we could offer OST support to TM in the
coming year.

Best Regards,

Mark

On Mon, Jan 2, 2012 at 8:36 PM, Eric Hansen <eric.hansen at hansen-rd.com>wrote:

> Hi, Tim,****
>
> ** **
>
> I saw your email  a few days ago, but didn’t find time to comment until
> today,****
>
> ** **
>
> I am also an avoid devotee of Toastmasters with some experience of Open
> Space.  ****
>
> ** **
>
> I didn’t think I would be a TM evangelist when I joined. I was just sort
> of tagging along with my wife, Elaine Hansen, who was and is exploring one
> of her StrengthsFinder strengths as a communicator. But such is what I have
> become. I sing of thee, Toastmasters, whenever I get the chance. ****
>
> ** **
>
> Now, on to your email. ****
>
> ** **
>
> My first thought is that it might help to change the language. I don’t
> want to make too much of this, but rather than “chaos” for open space and
> “rigid” for toastmasters, what do you think about using the terms
> “unstructured” for open space “structured” for toastmasters?  I suggest
> this because, for me, this opens up the possibilities a bit more. ****
>
> ** **
>
> I think your idea of leadership as the theme and question is spot on,
> especially as it’s the main focus of the new TM branding. As I am also a
> devotee of Peter Block and the six conversations that we explore in A Small
> Group, I think something around possibilities is a good place to start.***
> *
>
> ** **
>
> (Learn more about ASG here. ****
>
> http://www.asmallgroup.net/****
>
> ** **
>
> If you want to get an idea of what an ASG conversation is like, Elaine and
> I host In The Clouds with A Small Group, which you can find out about here.
> ****
>
> http://hansen-rd.com/workshops/a-virtual-a-small-group/ )****
>
> ** **
>
> Some ASG-type powerful question would be something like:****
>
> **·         **What is the crossroads you find yourself at regarding
> Toastmasters’ leadership potential?****
>
> **·         **What is the declaration about the possibilities for
> Toastmasters leadership you can make that will inspire you and transform
> your community?****
>
> These fit the ASG definition of powerful, which is that such questions are:
> ****
>
> **·         **Personal – which encourages participants to share their own
> story and not engage in simple intellectualization. Also, any large-scale
> change requires change at the personal level.  ****
>
> **·         **Ambiguous – which allows participants to create their own
> meaning for the question.****
>
> **·         **Anxiety Provoking – because anything important will cause
> some anxiety.****
>
> A more communal (but less personal and therefore less anxiety-provoking)
> question might be.****
>
> ** **
>
> What can we create together to promote and develop Toastmaster Leadership
> in our communities and organizations?****
>
> ** **
>
> Just some thoughts. ****
>
> ** **
>
> Eric****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org [mailto:
> oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] *On Behalf Of *Tim Lam
> *Sent:* Saturday, December 31, 2011 8:42 AM
> *To:* oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
> *Subject:* [OSList] Openspace and Toastmasters - A Taster****
>
> ** **
>
> Warm wishes to all and the best of health this festive season!****
>
>  ****
>
> As a distant spacer and located within the corporate (no names mentioned)
> world, we recently ran a 2 hour OS taster, faciliated by our dear friend
> Mark Pixley (Thanks again Mark!).  It was really well received and the
> feedback extremely positive given the 'short' time period and the session
> being held after normal office hours.****
>
>  ****
>
> It is great to see more discussions and fantastic advice
> on 'mini-sessions', however I am planning to run a joint session with a
> Toastmasters (TM) club!  Without going into too much details about the TM
> 'philosophy' and hopefully not to offend any TM'ers.  TM aims to improve
> speaking and leadership skills by running 'speech projects' which are timed
> and evaluated.****
>
>  ****
>
> What are ones thoughts on how a balance can be made between the 'chaos' of
> OS and the 'rigidity' of TM?****
>
>  ****
>
> Although the session may not be run for a few months (their time is booked
> for the next two) I thought it may be interesting to see ones points of
> view.  The main question is still brewing but I'm thinking about
> a 'Leadership', as TM run 'Competent Communication' and 'Competent
> Leadership' certifications.  Any suggestions for 'the' question?****
>
>  ****
>
> Good Health !****
>
>  ****
>
> Tim.****
>
> ** **
>
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-- 
Mark Pixley

LEADERSHIP INC
86-755-82111366
86-13068445641
skype: mjpixley
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