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At 09:40 AM 11/15/01 +0100, you wrote:<br>
<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>I have had a couple of enqueries
about doing an open space for around<br>
1500 people - that will be a first time - if it wants to happen..any
reflections learnings, ideas, warnings, stories that any of you<br>
want to share with me on OST that size, will be greatly
appreciated.</blockquote><br>
Go for it! Actually, Open Spaces in the 1000+ range, while not common,
are certainly not unknown. My "personal best" was about 1100,
and I have done several more in the 950+ range. I have some friends in
the Episcopal Church who claim 1200, and of course there is good old
Christopher Schoch (an American, but living in Paris) referred to by
Michael P. The interesting thing to me is that there is precious little
difference between a group of 100 and 1000 in terms of the process
itself. In fact I find the business of working with a very large group to
be easier in many ways.<br>
<br>
There are, however, some things to watch out for. First -- just remember
that you have a lot of bodies who require a lot of space, particularly
when it comes to The Wall. My rule of thumb is 2-3 inches per
participant. So a 1000 people would require minimum 2000 inches or 166
feet of Wall (somebody please convert to meters) and more if you can do
it. Second -- Don't let the folks bunch at the wall while issues are
being posted. They start to talk, and nobody can hear as the new issues
are announced. So right from the beginning, and as often as it takes, I
say something like "Post and Go." Thirdly, you will, of course,
need sufficient breakout spaces/rooms (about 5 per 100) -- but don't
worry about things like matching group size to room size. It never
works,and the effort required is considerable. But most of all the folks
will do it all by themselves, and LEARN in the process. Maps of the
facility posted in prominent places help, but at the end of the day,
people help people -- which I think is what it is all about. <br>
<br>
Other than that -- it's business as usual. 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>
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