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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Open Space Learning Report – Mini OS for Non-Profit Board, Staff
and Volunteers<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I just finished a mini OS for a non-profit. I am typing this up
on the ferry on my way home. Once again I thought of you all as I was
moving chairs and sticking tape. One of the differences with this
organization is that they are not as interested in the process as the other
groups I work with. Most of my other clients are wanting to integrate OS
and appreciative practice into their daily work, while this group has just embraced
the Carver model as a radical and positive step forward. So I really
appreciate their trust in me and their willingness to embrace something so far
from their comfort zone. So, of course, I was interested to see if there
would be a difference. And I can say now, nope--not really.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>My other design challenge was a lousy cold that showed up last
night—sore throat, stuffy nose, fever…ah well…took as much
medicine as I felt was safe not to make me stupid and went out there (no
whining!). Discovered that having to sneak off to the bathroom to blow
your nose and wash your hands is a great way to be invisible </span></font><font
face=Wingdings><span style='font-family:Wingdings'>J</span></font> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Design: Sponsor wanted a demonstration OS to introduce OS to
Board in preparation for a one day OS visioning session in October. In
other words- quelling the queasies.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>2.75 hours total, 45 min for opening and agenda setting, two 45 minute
conversations, half hour for closing and debrief/questions. (Thanks to Larry P.
for the inspiration.) <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>What happened: 24 people posted 19 topics (they combined some)
created about 10 pages of report (handwritten notes posted on breaking news
wall). It worked. Just like always. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>This was a passionate group. They jumped up from their seats and
started posting topics right away. I had a feeling this group would be
enthusiastic. They have a lot of passion for what they do and are
incredibly dedicated. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The feedback was very positive. They got a better sense of the
whole organization. The director was able to gain insight into where
there were gaps in understanding and communication—useful information for
her. They felt supported by each other, appreciated, all voices got
heard, they had fun. Oh yah, and another very cool thing…the
director, in the closing circle, stated that one of her goals for this process
was to see spirit come back to the organization, and that she felt it had begun
to return with tonight’s process. Hurrah for Open Space!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>And I’ve never seen a rush for the talking stick before. As I
said, one passionate bunch. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Learning:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>As a demonstration it worked very well. They got an actual taste
of OS, rather than a presentation. We used a real topic that they all had
real passion for. I used the analogy of the ice cream store, where they
give you one of those little spoons to have a taste and how that’s
different from a big bowl. We had a little spoonful of open space and
next month we will have the bowl full. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>They expressed the desire to take something forward from the
discussions, which again just reinforced for me the importance of including
some kind of next step, into the world process as a grounding for even short
(one-day) OS’s. And it got me wondering about the possibilities of
making that happen even in mini’s like this one. Closing round
question could do it. Any other experiences or thoughts? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Photos are here: <a
href="http://flickr.com/photos/89394054@N00/sets/988835/">http://flickr.com/photos/89394054@N00/sets/988835/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>(Also, Photos from previous, in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Prince
George</st1:City></st1:place> are here: <a
href="http://flickr.com/photos/89394054@N00/sets/939548/">http://flickr.com/photos/89394054@N00/sets/939548/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Cheers all…off for my hot toddy…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Love,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Wendy<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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