[OSList] Open Space in schools

Daniel Mezick dan at newtechusa.net
Sun Sep 29 22:53:25 PDT 2013 

Lisa says:
"...
The other thing is that for any kind of facilitation, I would not name 
boundaries or constraints. It sets peoples' minds in the framework of 
boundaries and constraints - rather than opportunities and possibilities.
Like 'think outside the box' - you are still thinking...of the box! when 
/ because someone says that. "

Dan says:
I notice that:
1/  the 1 Law and 5 Principles of OST are constraints-in-fact. Are they not?
2/ we are required to describe these as OST Facilitators; at least, 
according to the OST Guide. Right?
3/ the general idea for the Facilitator is, "the less said the better".  No?

I think OST is a most wonderful game. 
http://newtechusa.net/agile/how-games-deliver-happiness-learning/

Dan


On 9/24/13 2:18 AM, Lisa Heft wrote:
> Good job, Carms!
>
> And Artur, I am very sad. Because I love it so much when you disagree 
> with me... ;o)
>
> Abrazos,
> Lisa
>
>
>
>
> On Sep 23, 2013, at 5:20 PM, Carmela Ariza <carmela_ariza at yahoo.com 
> <mailto:carmela_ariza at yahoo.com>> wrote:
>
>> Yes Lisa I remember saying in the opening circle that it is time to 
>> think outside the box. Then I continued to say: who says there is a 
>> box anyway? I got some participants chuckling at this. It was a good 
>> open space which participants truly found very different from what 
>> they are used to. Carms
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Hi Jamie: **
>>
>> I am completelly in agreeement with Lisa (this time ;-)
>>
>> Artur
>
>> *From: * Lisa Heft <lisaheft at openingspace.net 
>> <mailto:lisaheft at openingspace.net>>;
>> *To: * World wide Open Space Technology email list 
>> <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org 
>> <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>>;
>> *Subject: * Re: [OSList] Open Space in schools
>> *Sent: * Mon, Sep 23, 2013 5:12:41 PM
>>
>> Jamie - in my experience, any speeches (longer than 'thanks for 
>> coming, we're so excited, here's your facilitator let's get to work')
>>
>> In saying this - I know there are also cultural and regional 
>> traditions. However, having people speak too much at the start...
>>
>> - starts putting the body to rest - when actually in Open Space we 
>> want active, breathing, energy-to-jump-into-the-center-with-topics
>> - sets in some people's heads a pre-determined thought, thus reducing 
>> the possibility for different, emergent, outlier, diverse thinking as 
>> inspired by the theme question
>> - speeches are oh-so-often only listened to by the person giving that 
>> speech ;o) - other people are in their heads going 'what's this 
>> circle?' 'what shall I propose as a topic?' 'how do I feel?' 'what is 
>> this going to be like?'
>> - even if the speaker is charismatic, is not behind a podium, is 
>> physical and walking that circle - people listening are still 
>> shifting into receiving thought rather than creating / inviting / 
>> experiencing it.
>> - takes time away from actually getting to the work at hand. The more 
>> time for dialogue and interchange, the richer, the deeper the 
>> thoughts and conversations, and the more time given to participants 
>> to start noticing common threads and linkages across the day.
>>
>> The other thing is that for any kind of facilitation, I would not 
>> name boundaries or constraints. It sets peoples' minds in the 
>> framework of boundaries and constraints - rather than opportunities 
>> and possibilities.
>> Like 'think outside the box' - you are still thinking...of the box! 
>> when / because someone says that.
>>
>> If there is anything that is 'off the table' such as 'we are all here 
>> to think of things that do not cost money' simply say that in your 
>> beautifully constructed theme question. The theme is the task, and 
>> the thing that invites topics. So if the theme included '...with zero 
>> money but with other amazing shared resources...' If you have to. 
>> Often you do not have to say anything is 'off the plate' - you just 
>> open by making sure the participants know whether they are advisory 
>> or decisionary in this meeting. Ideas where someone originally 
>> assumed there was money (let's say that is one of the boundaries) can 
>> always be revisited for 'what other kinds of existing resources do 
>>  we have to help this amazing breakthrough idea happen?' in another 
>> part of the meeting, after the meeting, however the meeting is designed.
>>
>> So I also encourage - if anything more than a moment must be said - 
>> to do it the evening before, perhaps.  Separate it from the Open 
>> Space. Say less. Invite more. Let them jump into that space!
>>
>> Lisa
>>
>>
>> On Sep 23, 2013, at 4:03 AM, Jamie Colston 
>> <jamiecolston at googlemail.com <javascript:return>> wrote:
>>
>>> Dear All,
>>>
>>> I have been working with a Secondary school in the UK to support 
>>> students to develop their school council into something which gives 
>>> them a real voice in their school and supports them to make things 
>>> happen. As part of this process, in the last academic year I ran 
>>> some world cafe sessions with Students, Teachers and the School 
>>> Leadership Team and Governors to find out more about their views of 
>>> the student council and what they would like to see in the future.
>>>
>>> This work has led to a year long contract to help build on this and 
>>> I am bringing together all of the Art of Hosting work to support the 
>>> students to build something emergent and powerful that inculdes the 
>>> full school system. In the next few weeks the school will be having 
>>> their very first open space meeting with members of as many of the 
>>> various parts of the system there as possible.
>>>
>>> For the opening of the open space I was planning to do a context 
>>> setting piece for everyone and invite the headteacher, leader of the 
>>> governors and the school council leadership team to just say a few 
>>> words about the boundaries that are there in terms of the academic 
>>> and governance structures so that everyone can be clear about what 
>>> is possible and what isn't within the constraints of the current 
>>> system. I would them set up the open space and ensure that the 
>>> talking ends on a creative and upbeat note.
>>>
>>> I would love any advice, thoughts and feedback. In my mind i think 
>>> that to keep it as open as possible is important and what has 
>>> constantly been a theme in all the pre work is working within the 
>>> context of the political/technical/academic landscape (they would 
>>> not phrase it like this but this sums it up).
>>>
>>> If this year works, it is likely that I will be able to work for 
>>> further years bringing open space, world cafe, graphic facilitation 
>>> and AOH into the school as a key methodology for empowering change 
>>> in the system so it is very exciting and hence why advice and wisdom 
>>> is most welcome.
>>>
>>> Thanks and look forward to hearing any inspiration
>>>
>>> Jamie
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> **Jamie Colston**
>>>
>>> Enabling young people to design inspiring events and host 
>>> conversations that matter to them, empowering them to find their 
>>> voice and take practical action towards creating a sustainable, 
>>> peaceful and equitable world.
>>>
>>> **
>>> **
>>>
>>> **M: **07909 442006 **E: **jamiecolston at gmail.com 
>>> <javascript:return>****
>>>
>>> **FB/Linked In/Skype:** Jamie Colston **Twitter**: spearthwarrior
>>>
>>>
>>> **Nowhere ecl www.now-here.com/ecl <http://www.now-here.com/ecl>**
>>>
>>> **Green Vision Movement www.greenvisionmovement.org 
>>> <http://www.greenvisionmovement.org/>**
>>>
>>> ****<http://www.bathamptoncsa.wordpress.com/>**
>>>
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