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At 12:07 AM 10/16/01 +0100, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><font face="arial" size=2>I'm in
the process of preparing for a two day OS meeting for an anticipated 500
to 600 people. This is stretching my experience which has yet to reach
the 200 mark. So I'd appreciate the list's collective advice and
experience in facilitating such a number. Client is an educational
institution who wish to include the surrounding community.<br>
<br>
Specific concerns centre around the melee of the marketplace;
convergence/action planning; and endings.</font></blockquote><br>
Actually, I find large groups much easier than small ones, for some
reason. I guess there is more space, and also it is much easier to be
invisible -- or something. And truth to tell 600 is sort of a middle
sized group. No Problem. I have friends who think that when you work with
a large group it is necessary to do a lot more in terms of space
management -- ie like having guides to get them to the break out rooms
etc. Personally, I have found that to be quite un-necessary. Folks can
make their own way, enjoy getting there, and best of all -- help each
other along the way. My one caveat is to make sure you have plenty of
wall space. I estimate 4 inches per person -- so for a group of 600 that
would be about 200 feet of Wall. You can actually get by with less -- but
more is better. Given enough room everything sorts out just like it
always does. However, if the wall is too short the folks will bunch and
the process slows. It always works, but not optimally. Another thing to
keep in mind with a large group is to remind them that after they go to
the wall to post their issue, they return to their seat in the circle. If
you say that at the moment of invitation and several times more (nicely)
as people are posting their issues -- it should work well. Reason is that
folks really need to hear what other folks are saying and they can't do
that if they are hanging out at the wall and talking... I always put it
in terms of respect for fellow participants. And if that doesn't get
their attention, just note that folks talking at the wall are missing the
really good gossip. <br>
<br>
Other than that -- just have fun.<br>
<br>
Harrison <br>
<br>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<div align="center">
Harrison Owen<br>
7808 River Falls Drive<br>
Potomac, MD 20854 USA<br>
phone 301-469-9269<br>
Open Space Training
<a href="http://www.openspaceworld.com/" eudora="autourl">www.openspaceworld.com</a>
<br>
Open Space Institute <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/" eudora="autourl">www.openspaceworld.org</a><br>
Personal website <a href="http://www.mindspring.com/~owenhh" eudora="autourl">www.mindspring.com/~owenhh</a><br>
<br>
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