<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2">Phil--<BR>
<BR>
I have not used OS for acquisitions, but I have been working for the past year with a nonprofit organization that is building a beautiful building in a new location, and moving the staff from two offices which have always been separate. Each has its own unique culture, even though they are members of the same organization.<BR>
<BR>
A month after the groundbreaking for the new building, we opened space for all staff from both offices, with a theme of "Issues and Opportunities relating to our Coming Move." People were very open and honest in discussing every aspect of the transition. Sessions posted ranged from how to allocate storage space to "Change and Grief." One group shared the values that brought them into this work in the first place, another generated ideas for staying sane and productive through a year of extra work and disruption. <BR>
<BR>
The top management team, who had been living with and working toward the vision of a new center over a period of several years, were surprised to hear that some staff members had serious fears and reservations about the move. Staff members were surprised that top management was fully present, listening and genuinely interested in their concerns. The executive director moved from group to group with blueprints, helping everyone visualize how their new workspace would be laid out. <BR>
<BR>
There was a buzz of energy in the room from the moment people headed to their first sessions, and by midafternoon participants were both excited and thoughtful--lots of smiling faces, lots of listening to each other. <BR>
<BR>
I met twice with the Transition Team in the first month, once in a talking circle to capture our memories and impressions of the Open Space day, and once to plan how to carry ideas forward and address concerns. Many of the work groups were re-convened to continue working on their topics. Because both groups had been in small and crowded offices, the storage spaces in the new building were a subject of intense interest. The Storage Group has done a masterful job of figuring out what should be stored where, and how to allocate the storage to departments. A Personal Space Group has struggled with issues relating to the change from closed offices to cubicles in large open offices. A new group was convened this week to talk about professional dress in the new facility, because staff will be more visible in this new space with more access by volunteers, clients and the general public.<BR>
<BR>
The Transition Team decided that where the job description of an individual or work group was changing, they would have the new work group meet to work out new procedures and decide who would do what. People's regular job responsibilities were covered while they met with their new team.<BR>
<BR>
I've continued to meet with the Transition Team at intervals throughout the year, in intense work sessions that included discussions on morale and keeping the space open, as well as project management. Because passion and responsibility have guided the allocation of tasks, there have been virtually no problems with agreed-on tasks left undone. Moving Day will be here soon--on the schedule predicted one year ago--and the staff is on board. Objects with an important role in their history have been moved to the new site with great ceremony from each of the old offices.<BR>
<BR>
In answer to your question, Phil, it's my experience that Open Space is a great way to get the real issues out in the open. It was great fun to watch individuals from both offices come together to wrestle with topics they had passion for. I don't know a more effective method for discovering and resolving the real issues in a complex change like the one you describe.<BR>
<BR>
Best of luck,<BR>
<BR>
Joelle </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"></FONT></HTML>
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist