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Congrats on your first OS!
<p>I've used Open Space as a learning tool in this respect. It's
very simple and very powerful. I let people know in the opening that
the convenors are invited to come forward to ask a question, or convene
a discussion around an issue that they have passion for. Put simply,
two types of issues come forward: questions that people have about the
theme, and points for discussion, collaboration etc.
<p>The first set attract the experts. Those with the questions pose
them as issues, and the "experts"and others join the discussion to discover
the answer together. It's important to note that these types of discussion
really tend to be collaborative learning rather than the expert showing
up to the group and simply answering the question...
<p>The second set of issues create discusion groups to push the knowledge
of the theme beyond what's currently known.
<p>Both types of discussions are rish and the learning process is very
rewarding.
<p>In the best one I did of these, there was no convergence, but perhaps
others have used convergence in this way?
<p>Chris
<br>
<br>
<p>Julianne Bell wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE> <span class=520573002-12062000><font face="Goudy Old Style">To
my fellow Open Spacers</font></span><span
class=520573002-12062000></span><span class=520573002-12062000><font face="Goudy Old Style">Having
just facilitated my first Open Space Conference last Saturday, it seems
the whole world (at least Brisbane!) wants to learn more about OS! (of
course, I think my awareness might have a LITTLE bit to do with this!!).
Anyway, I have a client who is so impressed with what I've told him about
OS he wants to apply it to a second event that will follow on from a 2-hour
seminar he had already scheduled this coming weekend. He has agreed
to run the follow up event for a whole day, and wants me to "promote" it
this weekend at the seminar.</font></span><span
class=520573002-12062000></span><span class=520573002-12062000><font face="Goudy Old Style">But
now I'm wondering if it will work... this is the scenario...</font></span><span
class=520573002-12062000></span><span class=520573002-12062000><font face="Goudy Old Style">This
fellow is a lawyer (but a very OPEN one!). He specialises in corporate
law and this weekend's 2 hour seminar will be a "talkfest"... ie. he will
be giving information to the audience on the for's and against's on setting
up trusts vs companies. It appears that this subject is extremely
popular as we have only just sent out invitations and have received at
least a 50% acceptance rate to date! However, he would like
to open the floor up and this is where I mentioned Open Space might be
more useful... but there is a very large technical element.</font></span><span
class=520573002-12062000></span><span class=520573002-12062000><font face="Goudy Old Style">This
is how I see it happening. We use the OS frame but there are "experts"
invited along (lawyers, accountants). When the issues are put up,
it will be up the "experts" to determine which group they join and share
their expertise. The outcomes won't be so much action plans or what
to do next, but a more enlightened group of delegates who are getting answers
to their specific questions. The client and I are to meet this week
to determine the theme of the event.</font></span><span
class=520573002-12062000></span><span class=520573002-12062000><span class=520573002-12062000><font face="Goudy Old Style">Can
this work? Has anyone done anything similar and might have some pointers
they can share with me? The alternative is to not even think about
OS and just run the day as a series of workshops??</font></span></span><span
class=520573002-12062000></span><span class=520573002-12062000><font face="Goudy Old Style">Any
feedback would be most appreciated...</font></span><span
class=520573002-12062000></span><span class=520573002-12062000><font face="Goudy Old Style">Kind
regards</font></span><span class=520573002-12062000><font face="Goudy Old Style">Julianne
Bell</font></span><span
class=520573002-12062000></span><span class=520573002-12062000><font face="Goudy Old Style"><font color="#800080">Julianne
Bell</font></font><font face="Goudy Old Style"><font color="#800080">Exceptional
Events</font></font><font face="Goudy Old Style"><font color="#800080">Ph:
(07) 3891 0742</font></font><font face="Goudy Old Style"><font color="#800080">Fax:
(07) 3891 6244</font></font><font face="Goudy Old Style"><font color="#800080">Mobile:
0419 645 514</font></font><font face="Goudy Old Style"><font color="#800080">Email:
<a href="mailto:julianne@bit.net.au">julianne@bit.net.au</a></font></font> <i><font face="Goudy Old Style"><font color="#800080">Exceptional
events... dynamic spaces in which people connect and communicate openly.</font></font></i> </span><span
class=520573002-12062000></span><span
class=520573002-12062000></span></blockquote>
<p>--
<br>CHRIS CORRIGAN
<br>108-1035 Pacific Street
<br>Vancouver BC
<br>V6E 4G7
<p>Phone: 604.683.3080
<br>Fax: 604.683.3036
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