[OSList] Whatever happens...

Tue Feb 2 10:25:32 PST 2016

Stuart -- Maybe Michael Pannwitz will tell the tale of the 2108 person OS? As I recall, we (that would be Michael and me) estimated that there might be 150 issues. Boy were we ever wrong! 

OK Michael You are On!  I would start, but frankly I can't remember what the real numbers were, and I know you never forget things like that :-)

ho

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-----Original Message-----
From: OSList [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Stuart Turner via OSList
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 11:20 AM
To: Harrison Owen
Cc: World wide Open Space Technology email list
Subject: Re: [OSList] Whatever happens...

Dear Harrison

Thanks for the suggestion. It being the facilitator’s decision to decide the number of spaces and the number and length of the time-slots when creating the marketplace has never felt comfortable whether I was facilitating or watching someone else. It seemed the facilitator needed to do more than minimal thinking and could actually be considered planning/predicting, when who knows what would happen, how many sessions would be identified, etc.

I know people facilitate this in different ways, and my experience might be considered an invitation for others to share their experience of doing this. I haven’t seen anyone invite people to create more spaces or time slots on the agenda before but have seen them emerge without being on the marketplace.

I did consider whether to have another space when creating the initial marketplace but once I opened it to the group I didn’t think of facilitating making an adjustment.

I also haven’t seen many additional topics be created after the initial marketplace has been created. 

I’m wondering if anyone will share when else, acting as a facilitator, they might invite a modification to the marketplace.

Stuart

On 2 Feb 2016, at 10:51 pm, Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net> wrote:

Small suggestion Stuart... next time you find yourself cramped for time/spaces just invite everybody to create more time/space. No hassle. No haggle... Just announce your issues, take a blank post-it (you will need some blanks) describe a time, choose a space (the Piano, patio, bar for examples) and post it on the wall. No sweat and you will have plenty of time for a break.

ho

Winter Address
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, MD 20854
301-365-2093

Summer Address
189 Beaucaire Ave.
Camden, ME 04843
207-763-3261

Websites
www.openspaceworld.com
www.ho-image.com
OSLIST To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST Go to:http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org

-----Original Message-----
From: OSList [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Stuart Turner via OSList
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 4:33 AM
To: oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
Subject: [OSList] Whatever happens...

Yesterday I facilitated a two-hour open space at the end of a training course for 30 people. I explained the principles, the law, etc. and described the marketplace. The marketplace had four time slots across the top and four locations down the side. After they had filled the marketplace with about 25 sessions, they asked me what they should do. I said “It’s up to you”. They started swapping the headings so times now went down the side and locations went across the top.

Thinking of the many suggestions to "get out of the way” and “make it obvious you’re not an authority”, I decided to take a bathroom break.

On my return I approached one of the spaces to find several of the sessions pasted on the wall. I turned to look at the marketplace to discover only the time slots and locations remained. Each location had all its sessions stuck on the wall.

Whatever happens, I thought.

After noticing there was some confusion about trying to discuss all sessions at the same time, conversations moved to become about a more defined topic (at least of few of which were not one of the topics on the wall).

The closing circle had about half the participants speak, with many sounding quite enthusiastic about their experience and what the theme meant for their organisation. I noticed many of the people were directing their summary to the most senior person in the room. Some even referred to that person specifically “I don’t know if I should say this while the boss is here”, and similar comments.

I wondered whether the space was beginning to close at that time.

Perhaps I could have done a better job of facilitating or explaining, during the introduction. Regardless, it’s probably the only thing that could have happened.

Stuart
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