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<DIV><SPAN class=90232213-27041999><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=3>Hi
Karen,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=90232213-27041999><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=3></FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=90232213-27041999><FONT color=#0000ff
face=Arial size=3>your question is a good one and it is why we emphasize working
out the "givens" so thoroughly ahead of time. I think that Jay's
outline of what it is he does with the client ahead of time is one of the best
I've seen and certainly encompasses much of what I do with every open space. It
is the sponsor, after all, that really opens the space and needs to determine
how much space is really being opened. I make a big point of saying to the
sponsors that it doesn't matter how much space is opened, even a teeny space is
okay---what matters is that they are TRUTHFUL about the amount of space. This of
course is done by establishing the "givens" very clearly including
what the process is for decision after the event. I build into every contract
time to work with the sponsors ahead of the event to clarify accurate theme (the
one they say they want up front and what they usually really want are often not
the same) and time to go through the "givens". The process of sorting
through the "givens" is much harder than one might think. Mostly
because it is about truth and clarity and many companies have a hard time with
this. So, we take a day before the event to do this. And I build in a day
after the event to figure out how to make the most of it all once the experience
of OS has happened.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<P><FONT size=2>Warmest regards,<BR>Birgitt<BR><BR>Birgitt Bolton of Dalar
Associates<BR>www.openspacetechnology.com<BR>55 Ravina Cres., Ancaster, Ontario,
Canada<BR> L9G 2E8<BR>phone: 905-648-5775 fax: 905-648-2262</FONT>
</P>
<DIV> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> OSLIST
[mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]<B>On Behalf Of</B> Karen du Four des
Champs<BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, April 26, 1999 1:40 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<BR><B>Subject:</B> Question to experienced OS
users<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>I facilitated a 3 day Retreat for a client using a day and a half of
Open Space with another colleague a year ago. Months later, the client
retained me to continue some aspects of the work we began the year before,
including assuring the OS notes and recommendations were distributed to
all. Some of the work that was to occur by the client in terms
assuring all convenors followed through did not occur consistently.
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Now, I'm spending alot of time working to "clean up many of the
assumptions" we put out during the OS process. Our fundamental
assumption (confirmed with the division chief) that staff were "truly
empowered" to convene a session and follow through with their
recommendations had several barriers (not all of which we, as facilitators
could be aware of at the time) i.e.. legal constraints, budgetary
constraints and most fundamental and intrinsic was that this group was just
a micro of a macro org that has a systemic culture of "hierarchical
decision making," so although the division chief was supportive of this
process of accountability, there were those recommendations (stated above)
that could not be carried out and thus it appears to participants that this
process was just lip service. My main lesson in all of this was in
tee-ing up the process with clearer directions given the systems
limitations.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 face=""><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"><FONT
size=3>Anyone have thoughts of wisdom or ideas to share to minimize the
long-term impact of the process "backfiring." I will
be facilitating their next process next week. Thank
you.</FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS"></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 face=Arial size=2>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -<BR>Karen du Four des Champs<BR>"a
catalyst for change for our changing world"</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 face=Arial size=2>INERCOR, Training &
Consulting Co.<BR>"because change begins at the core"<BR>P.O. Box
472<BR>Vashon Island, WA 98070<BR>Seattle Office: (206)
244-1333<BR>Vashon Office: (206)
463-4122<BR>FAX:
(206)
463-4124<BR>Pager:
(206)
955-4694<BR>E-mail:
<A href="mailto:kdd@inercor.com">kdd@inercor.com</A><BR>The information in
this electronic mail message is privileged and<BR>confidential. It is
intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named<BR>above. If you
received this transmission in error, you are hereby<BR>notified that any
dissemination, distribution, or copying of this<BR>communication is strictly
prohibited. Please notify our office<BR>immediately if you received
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fax, or telephone charges.<BR></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>