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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Doug – as with most things, there
are few absolutes. My exception to that might be my nap </span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Wingdings><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Wingdings;color:navy'>J</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> I am with Chris. When I
am with groups I know and where the subject is something I am interested in
(either as learner, contributor, or both) I will certainly participate, always
allowing time for my nap </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Wingdings><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:navy'>J</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Wingdings><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:navy'>J</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>For some reason, most of the Open Space
gathering I have facilitated in the last several years have involved groups of
people, usually large ones, who speak a language(s) I don’t understand
and whose issue is not mine – although I may be deeply concerned. Add in
massive complexity and no small amount of conflict – and my judgment has
been that the most useful thing I can do for the gathering is to hold the
space. And truthfully, when complexity, conflict and group size begin to go off
the charts, holding space is about all I can do. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Harrison</span></font></st1:place><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName> [mailto:<st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Chris Corrigan<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Monday, July 30, 2007 2:30
PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: Facilitator must be
part of the conversations</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<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 style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Hi Doug...<br>
<br>
There are levels of hosting and facilitating in these processes. In
Conversation Cafes, World Cafes and Open Space meetings there are facilitators
who are responsible for the overall space and there are hosts within the space
that take responsibility for the conversations. In OST we call thes folks
conveners (or we use other names) and in the Cafes they call them table hosts. <br>
<br>
I think in general its a good idea to have the overall event facilitator
"hold space" and to have the hosts within the gathering take as much
responsibility as possible for the outcomes. The advantages of doing it
this way are clearly that passion bounded by responsibility gets things
done. <br>
<br>
I am not entrenched on the question of whether the OST facilitator can or cannot
participate in the event. There are many factors that come into
play. In events I have done within my community, where the community has
had some previous exposure to OST, I am perfectly comfortable opening space and
then participating. It seems that the groups is able to hold space for
all just fine. In other places, where a client is doing something
completely strange (apprenticeships, post-secondary education policy,
sustainability planning for an unfamiliar community) then I just sit on the
edges, taking care of the space, helping with the proceedings, answering
questions and talking about the process with the curious. <br>
<br>
And still other times, when there are a team of facilitators to help hold
space, I feel more free to participate, especially if the work is with people
close to me.<br>
<br>
I think the question is, what are the benefits of having space holders at all
levels? <br>
<br>
Chris<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmailquote><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>On 7/30/07, <st1:place w:st="on"><b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>douglas</span></b></st1:place><b><span
style='font-weight:bold'> germann</span></b> <<a
href="mailto:76066.515@compuserve.com">76066.515@compuserve.com</a>> wrote:</span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Hi--<br>
<br>
Peggy Holman's Change Handbook has a description of Conversation Cafés,<br>
which raises the question: why would it be good for the facilitator to<br>
take part in the conversation? What would be the advantages of taking <br>
part?<br>
<br>
After all, it appears that the host in Conversation Cafés does take<br>
part, in circle process does take part, and in The World Café may take<br>
part in the conversations.<br>
<br>
The risks it seems to me: the facilitator is seen as the one with the <br>
answers, simply because of standing at the front/center of the room; the<br>
temptation, even subconsciously, to push your own agenda because of that<br>
standing position.<br>
<br>
But the advantages might outweigh: one more voice heard; a more <br>
inclusive whole to the group.<br>
<br>
We seem to avoid taking part in the conversations: <st1:place w:st="on">Harrison</st1:place>
takes a nap;<br>
Michael only does it in a middle time slot.<br>
<br>
Could we have a conversation about why it would be good to participate, <br>
please?<br>
<br>
:-
Doug.<br>
<br>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><br>
<br clear=all>
<br>
-- <br>
CHRIS CORRIGAN<br>
Facilitation - Training<br>
Open Space Technology<br>
<br>
Weblog: <a href="http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot">http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot</a><br>
Site: <a href="http://www.chriscorrigan.com">http://www.chriscorrigan.com</a><br>
<br>
Principal, Harvest Moon Consultants, Ltd.<br>
<a href="http://www.harvestmoonconsultants.com">http://www.harvestmoonconsultants.com</a>
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