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At 01:20 PM 6/12/2003 -0400, Birgitt Williams wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite> <br>
<font face="arial">Your responses generated further questions and
comments within me. </font></blockquote><br>
I guess they did!<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite> <br>
<font face="arial">1. I was interested in both of you commenting that
announcing the topics was an integral part of OST for you and that this
was not on your list of "one more thing not to do". I would be
very interested in what your lists of integral ingredients for a well
done OST meeting are---not just the description in the User's Guide but
what you actually do in your OST facilitation.</font></blockquote><br>
I don't know that I have much more/less than in the User's guide. but the
announcement is critical for me, and certainly not under the heading of
one more thing not to do.<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><font face="arial"> </font><br>
<font face="arial">2. I was interested that Harrison notes that 1 1/2
hours for the opening/agenda/marketplace is standard and for Michael that
a built in coffee time before the first session is standard. I had
remembered being taught by Harrison to get this all done as quickly as
possible and preferably in less than an hour so that the energy didn't
diminish. It appears from your reporting that the energy doesn't diminish
even with 2 hours before the first session.</font></blockquote><br>
I try to move as quickly as possible in order to save time for coffee
before the first event. I think we come at the same place. <br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><font face="arial">3. Your design
allowed you three session times. I would be very interested in hearing
more about your decision making of having 3 rather than more session
times and why you chose the length of time for each session that you did.
</font></blockquote><br>
Michael chose the times -- but i certainly concurred. Having 1 and 1/2
hour per session allowed for good conversation and also passage time to
the next group. Seemed to work.<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><font face="arial">4. As I
understand it, the agenda wall was the full use of three walls that were
set up so that every meter there was a number posted, for the report
number---this had the topics posted side by side and always allowing for
a meter. How did you handle the space and time assignments with what you
set up. And where on the wall did those extra topics that you had not
counted on go? Do you have any recommendations for us about using this
kind of organized agenda wall? Could people easily find the topics for
any given time slot to see easily what the choices were to choose
from--or did they have to walk along to read the three
walls?</font></blockquote><br>
this was Michael's baby -- but basically there were three walls and three
session(times) One time per wall. The walls themselves were made out of 1
meter plastic frames, so spacing was pre-ordained. And people posted the
additional topics on one of the three walls (depending on their choice of
time.<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><font face="arial">5. Harrison, you
note that one of the reasons you chose Michael to work with you is that
he would do a good job of dealing with the logistics and of working
effectively with the client. What work in your opinion does the
facilitator (or in this case designate) take on regarding the logistics
and what is expected in "dealing with the client"? And Michael,
what was the pre-work that you had to do. How many meetings were involved
and what kind of things did you need to cover and to get involved in? I
think there was some brilliant decision making for some very difficult
challenges such as the cushions on the floor, the balloons from which to
hang the signs and so on.</font></blockquote><br>
I think what Michael brought to the party (outside of lots of experience)
was a great sense of humor and real playfulness. Without those two, we
probably wouldn't have gotten to balloons. <br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><font face="arial">6. What were the
client expectations for this one day OST event? What were you assisting
the client to achieve? I note in reading the reports that the reports
themselves are often vague and probably mean something only to those who
participated in that particular discussion (this is not unusual for OST
reports unless the report form has more structure). Did the client
expectations/goals get met not only for the event itself but expectations
of what might emerge following the event?</font></blockquote><br>
Major objective, as I understood it was to provide a space/time for the
participants to synthesize their learning from the preceding 3 days --
and if possible -- push on to something new. So the notes were very much
aide de memoire. <br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><font face="arial">7. I noted with
great curiousity that you both did your own unique style of the opening
rather than one being a translation of the other. I am fascinated to hear
more about this because it taps right into the answer of the question of
"what does it mean to open space?". Based on two different
openings within the same group within the same time, there is clearly
something that is in common that actually opens the space. Any comments
that you have regarding this would be appreciated. I also know, having
experienced each of you "opening space" that you each have VERY
different energies and styles. </font></blockquote><br>
One thing for sure -- it is only marginally about the words. Some
instructions need to be given -- but from there on out it is a matter of
focus and launch. I always think about it as launching a ship. All you do
is pull the chocks, break the champagne, and let her rip. The launch
pretty much takes care of itself.<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><font face="arial">8. I was also
interested by your comments, Harrison, regarding
"</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">Effective Open Space
facilitation requires the subtle, conscious, and sensitive use of
both." referring to the facilitator tapping into his/her male and
female energy and the male/female energy in the group. I wonder if you
could please say a little more regarding your assessment of
"Effective Open Space Facilitation" rather than Ineffective
Open Space Facilitation. Is it somehow tied into this male/female energy
in your opinion?</font></blockquote><br>
I'll pass on this one -- I'm out of steam. but good question.<br><br>
ho<br>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<div align="center">Harrison Owen<br>
7808 River Falls Drive<br>
Potomac, MD 20854 USA<br>
phone 301-365-2093<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://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm" eudora="autourl"><font color="#0000FF">http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm</a><br><br>
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