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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>
</blockquote>
<br>
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