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Especially for BarCamps, it can be a challenge to find good venues for
many people... what if the facilitator walked around the auditorium,
inviting people to look around and see who's there? Walk a little,
stand and speak, draw people's eyes there.... then walk a little more.
Obviously, this assumes a wireless mic or good acoustics.<br>
<br>
This seems (to me) to do a couple of things that are different from the
circle: <br>
- the facilitator literally "draws a circle" around the space (i.e.
clarifying that the space consists of everyone there);<br>
- the facilitator encourages people to let go of the assumption that
there's a "front" to each session, by asking them to "turn around!"<br>
<br>
When a circle is very difficult to accomplish (for whatever reason) and
the problem can't be solved creatively, maybe this is an alternative?<br>
deb<br>
<br>
Brendan McKeague wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:66jvov$1r73gf@smtp05.syd.iprimus.net.au"
type="cite">Hi Kaliya - your approach is really interesting - I had
not thought of
these dimensions before - especially the notions of being 'fanatical
about the circle' or imposing my beliefs, or about working a community
into a circle....much food for thought indeed.<br>
<br>
In my understanding of Open Space, which my experiences have confirmed,
the initial journey of the leader is to open and walk that circle of
connection - which, without doubt has created unease and/or anxiety in
some or many of the participants....among other aspects, this is about
evoking chaos and confusion (desirable, if not essential, for OS to
work
as well as it possibly can?) and about illustrating or modelling to the
gathering that it's ok to walk into this circle of uncertainty, this
'unknown space' and engage with the issues you and others bring.<br>
<br>
I don't walk the circle to 'impose my belief' - rather to take a
leadership role that invites the group to engagement in this circle of
'open space' - and to embody the reality that all space is boundaried -
the space occurs within the parameters of this meeting of people who
care
about the issue....<br>
I think that the circle is a fundamental part of Open Space. For me, to
have a semi-circle would break the connection and focus. The group can
be
tempted to look/focus outside the circle for their
direction/solutions/expertise, rather than embodying the invitation to
recognise the wisdom that is in the circle (whether be expressed
through
'really smart amazing people' or others) ....<br>
<br>
The circle is not there for 'its own sake' to prove equality - as I see
it, it is a configuration for gathering that is deeply archetypal, with
many layers of meaning and symbolism. It has the capacity to touch
something within people that I agree may have been lost or driven out.
In
my own Celtic mythology for example, it is a symbol of community
connection, hospitality and the nature of infinity (no beginning, no
end).<br>
<br>
I guess it may well be culturally way out of bounds for some folks -
and
as facilitators I think it is important for us to recognise this aspect
-
within ourselves and within the group that gathers. <br>
<br>
I wouldn't be without it though!<br>
<br>
Cheers<br>
Brendan<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
At 10:12 PM 21/08/2007, you wrote:<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite" class="cite" cite="">On Aug 21, 2007, at 4:10
AM,
Harrison Owen wrote:<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite" class="cite" cite="">
<font color="#000080" face="Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Kaliya – I
might
take small issue with you regarding the strangeness of the circle. In
my
own experience the circle is the most common and natural configuration
(geometry) for human communication. We all do it most of the time, a
fact
that shows up repeatedly in our language and expressions, as in “Circle
of friends”, Family Circle, “In the loop (circle),” “The Inner Circle,”
“Coffee Circle,” “Knights of the Round Table.” How strange it would
be to have a “Semi-circle of friends?” Seems like something is missing,
dropped out, disconnected. Then we have the old Gospel Hymn – “Let the
Circle be unbroken.” But I guess that does make the circle weird and
strange.
</font><font color="#000080" face="Wingdings" size="2">J</font></blockquote>
<br>
Right. <br>
so then all these open space people get 'fanatical' about the
"circle" and miss out on the fact it can be culturally way out
of bounds for some convening. Is the point of open space to help them
create a great day together - with an agenda that is their own making
OR
to impose my belief that the circle is totally 'natural' and 'normal'
and
then make it difficult for them to access the process because of the
form. <br>
<br>
Let me be clear - I work my communities into a circle for openings over
time. There are already many cultural hurdles to doing open space
and adding in the circle at the very beginning for its own sake to
'prove' a point of "equality" etc. is not what I choose
to do.<br>
<br>
I get the circle is very natural. It is also something that has been
driven out of these cultures bringing it back in takes some time and
isn't for me the 'first' thing I do. <br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite" class="cite" cite="">
<font color="#000080" face="Arial, Helvetica" size="2"> I am sure
there are people who feel uncomfortable in a circle but I suspect they
are the ones who want to pontificate as opposed to
communicate.</font></blockquote>
Nope they are just not used to it.
<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite" class="cite" cite="">
<font color="#000080" face="Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Doubtless
there is a
place for such people and their feelings – but probably not Open Space,
which they may find terrifying, out of control, and other terrible
things
– not to mention New Age!</font></blockquote>
you don't "need" a
circle to do open space. you need really smart amazing people who
you support in creating their own agenda the day it happens.<br>
<br>
I choose to take an attitude of understanding and respect for
professional cultures that are not used to the form and adapt to them -
not imposing to much change to fast.<br>
<br>
=Kaliya<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite" class="cite" cite="">
<font color="#000080" face="Arial, Helvetica" size="2"> <br>
</font><br>
<font color="#000080" face="Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Harrison
<br>
</font><br>
<font color="#000080" face="Arial, Helvetica" size="2"> <br>
</font>
<hr>
<font face="Tahoma" size="2"><b>From:</b> OSLIST
[<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU"
eudora="autourl">
mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Kaliya
Hamlin<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, August 21, 2007 12:51 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: FW: The challenge of "luminaries"<br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font>
<dl>
<br>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times">Following the
conference, we head
from one of them, who was quite turned off by the whole experience.
Here's an excerpt:<br>
</font><br>
</dd>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times">> Instead I was at a
New Age,
"open circle" conference where<br>
</font><br>
</dd>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times">> the questions were
as flat
and meaningless as possible so no one would feel<br>
</font><br>
</dd>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times">> excluded. <br>
</font><br>
</dd>
</dl>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times">I have to say honestly - I
totally
understand this reaction. Some times 'typical' open space can get
into this 'circle grooviness' that some how demeans people with high
professional expectations. When I first introduced open space
to my tech community we sat in a multi ring semi circle with the agenda
wall at the front that we then filled. When first introducing open
space to technical communities not used to the 'circle culture' I often
use theater style - they are already doing a radically different
process
then normal. I don't need to force 'circle" on them too. I
always close the day in the circle though and sure enough in good time
(like by the third conference) they get the process and begin in circle
no problem. <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font>
<blockquote type="cite" class="cite" cite=""><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times">She cancelled at the last
moment
because she just didn't see a role for herself. She described
herself as a high introvert and without a role, felt she would not be
comfortable there.</font></blockquote>
<br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times">Interesting. The 'luminaries'
in my
community LOVE the Open Space and the fact it mixes things up. They get
to hear from others who are thinking about innovative things AND they
get
to talk about their latest thing - but not because someone on some
committee picked them - because they wanted to. <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font>
<blockquote type="cite" class="cite" cite=""><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times">So, here's my question:
these
folks (even the ones with egos) have gifts to offer. What
experiences have you had in creating conditions where
luminaries/elders/experts actually see a role for themselves and make a
productive contribution to an Open Space?</font></blockquote>
<br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times">Perhaps the best thing that I
have
found is to use a wiki to let them all output what they want to talk
about before hand - The luminaires who are all like 'i want to
speak about x' you just put all that up on the wiki and say they get to
put it on the agenda the day it happens. The "luminaries"
in my community are the biggest fans of the process and are infact
active
inviters of new people who would otherwise not come. <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font>
<blockquote type="cite" class="cite" cite=""><br>
<font color="#000080" face="Arial, Helvetica" size="1">would
avoid doing a
“round the circle” at the beginning, which I personally find less than
useful for two reasons. First it delays the actual start when people go
to work – and this is the most important consideration for me.
Secondly,
all those names and needs/wants/desires badly confuses this old
mind.</font></blockquote>
<br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times">I almost always do
'audience/attendee' introductions for my events yes and even when we
are
sitting in theater style. The thing is a lot of folks 'know' each
other form correspondence on mailing lists AND reading each others
blogs
but have NEVER met or seen a photo. Making the visual connection
between
person and name along with identifing the company or organization they
are will his helpful. I can get a room or 150 people to do rapid
fire introductions in 10 min.<br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times">Agreement on the needs thing
- a bit
much time wise and energy wise for a group. Best to do that kind of
thing
on paper. <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font>
<blockquote type="cite" class="cite" cite=""><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times">It seems strange to go to
an Open
Space conference and then complain about the
format</font></blockquote>
<br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times">He was expecting what he had
understood an 'unconference' to be - which in one conception of the
process that was put forward in the tech community had a chosen topics
and a chosen 'luminary facilitators' "leading a discussion" in
a theater style room with anywhere from 25-200 people. Needless to say
this is not very open space (and it never claimed to be - geeks are not
known for their face-to-face group process literacy but they were
trying
their best to step out of conference norms.) It put the luminary in the
'center' controlling a room. <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times">I hope this perspective
helps. <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times">=Kaliya<br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><br>
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<pre class="moz-signature" cols="60">--
Deborah Hartmann
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mobile: 416 996 4337
"Learn the principle,
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dissolve the principle."
-- Bruce Lee</pre>
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