[OSList] bridging two OS conferences

Thu Aug 15 08:14:06 PDT 2013

Thomas,

Years ago, I did a series of 18 Open Spaces across the state for the Washington State Arts Commission.  The opening and closing gatherings were statewide.  The sixteen in the middle were in different cities and towns.  We wanted everyone to know they were part of a larger process.  So we did two things:

1.  Posted some raw flip chart notes from previous sessions around the room as part of setting the atmosphere.

2.  During each closing, we asked people to write a sentence on a strip of paper of an insight or commitment.  They spoke what they wrote and then linked it with others into a chain.  Some of the chain was used to decorate the room of the gatherings that followed.  So people could read what others had written.  I wish I had a picture of the chains.  They were multi-colored and festive.  By the last OS, there were nearly 1,000 links.

The second statewide OS opened the space for action.  We provided the reports from the previous 17 sessions both in a booklet and the raw notes in flip charts on the walls.  With so much material, we did some broad organizing into topics and provided an hour for people to read the booklet or wander the gallery of reports before opening the space.

As others have said, it all worked.

Peggy

_________________________________
Peggy Holman
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On Aug 15, 2013, at 1:53 AM, Thomas Herrmann <thomas at openspaceconsulting.com> wrote:

> Sounds like an interesting way to do it…maybe the next step for this place!
> At this stage it's a little late to go that direction so we will have to figure out the smoothest way to integrate the two. We will be at a conference site away from the hospital this time.
> 
> I am thinking of leaving the reports from the 1st OST posted on a space where participants in the second OST can go to look and have inspiration. I have not planned to dedicate any specific time for this but just have it as an opportunity. Then there is the full report from the first day which will be produced as a PDF file a day before the next group will go into Open Space… I haven't made up my mind but what do you think about sending it out to the group heading into OST - or not? Maybe that would be a bit too overwhelming?
> 
> I also am thinking about the action planning for the second event. Then we will probably already have some action plans. I will use the re-opening approach where people make an agenda for action planning. So my idea is that people can choose, either bring up a new action or continue to work on one of the action plans already in place…
> 
> Then, of course we are having a follow up meeting in a couple of weeks time, where the leadership team and sponsors of action plans come together to continue the work.
> 
> I have a tele meeting with the leadership this afternoon, so I'll ask them what they think about it.
> 
> Still glad for any more ideas from you guys
> Cheers
> Thomas (heading to Norway on my motorbike on Sunday for a 3-day OST training in Oslo - then on to NOSonOS in Ålesund. A brake for these OST conferences in Sweden, than fly back to drive my motorbike along the fjords of Norway….not complaining about life (-: !!)
> 
> 
> 15 aug 2013 kl. 02:32 skrev Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net>:
> 
>> Interesting opportunity. Having had the same sort... I can see no reason why
>> your plan won't work. And, I have taken another approach. Hospitals run (as
>> you know) 24/7. And there are points where the major shifts trade off. If
>> you think about the "regular OS" -- the total "setup" is 1 1/2 hours -- So
>> if you were to do that at "shift change" most everybody could "set the
>> agenda" and then work it during their "time." Some folks would have to stay
>> a little longer, and others come in a little early. In essence you make the
>> whole hospital "open space." Meeting spaces happen wherever it is convenient
>> (Nurses' Lounge, etc). Electronic documentation makes all discussions
>> available to everybody. And if the documentation is less than complete, the
>> folks are still in the "same" hospital and can call/see each other. A little
>> different -- but in terms of the "new" Principle: "Wherever it happens is
>> the right place," it is a piece of cake. 
>> 
>> Harrison
>> 
>> Harrison
>> 
>> Harrison Owen
>> 7808 River Falls Dr.
>> Potomac, MD 20854
>> USA
>> 
>> 189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)
>> Camden, Maine 04843
>> 
>> Phone 301-365-2093
>> (summer)  207-763-3261
>> 
>> www.openspaceworld.com 
>> www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)
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>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
>> [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Herrmann
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 7:02 PM
>> To: OSLIST
>> Subject: [OSList] bridging two OS conferences
>> 
>> Dear friends in OS
>> In a couple of weeks I will facilitate 2 two-day Open Space conferences incl
>> action planning for a hospital here in Sweden. They have chosen to divide
>> their employees in 2 groups as the hospital has to run all the time. The two
>> events are separated by one day only but I will finish the documentation for
>> the first 2 days, during the evening of that second day. We have not fully
>> decided how to bridge the 2 events. I see no point in keeping what happened
>> in the first event secret.so somehow bridging the 2 events is important I
>> think. Any experiences and/or ideas you wish to share are appreciated.
>> All the best
>> Thomas Herrmann
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