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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>Hi, Martin -<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>(<i>Martin has asked for tips for a 600-or-so person Open Space
event</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>So - As part of Christine Whitney Sanchez’ wonderful team
for the Girl Scouts USA event, I facilitated a pre-conference Open Space for 700+
people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>(I smile when I think of your comments, Harrison - I, too have
done OS for 2,000 so to me 5-600 sounds like a breeze. But Martin - it’s
new until you have done it a few times, eh? And we are all happy to help).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>The hotel ballroom I used for that was (according to the hotel)
about 21,000 square feet - though it was a bit long rather than square. Being
a person who absorbs information by graphics and not by numbers, this does not
help me and I usually ask the site to see if they can help by creating a
to-scale diagram of the room-sets we are discussing, to see if it all works as
we discuss our variations before settling on one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>In very large events, I find that it may not be possible to have
an opening circle set-up as a circle (or concentric rings) -and also- the
ability to set up 50+ discussion areas. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>Elements influencing this may be the size of the room, time it takes
to move across the room, fire codes and safety issues, and so on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>So. On this list we have shared so many experiences about
what-ifs regarding room set-up, and we have collectively found that the circle
- for opening and closing - is essential. As not all rooms alow that, we have
collectively found that the *<b>feeling</b>* of circle and the facilitator’s
body use to *<b>imply</b>* and set that circle is essential.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>Therefore, in large events / spaces - think about this:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>(for those of you who think graphically, take a piece of paper -
write ‘Agenda Wall’ at the top, make a little square in the center,
and then draw a ‘cross’ bisecting the page from top to bottom and
from left to right)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>I have the Agenda Wall along one very long, approachable wall (like
always).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>I have the site set up a small platform in the center of the room
upon which I stand (so everyone can see me and know where the sound is coming
from when I speak).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>I have the room set up as pre-set circles of chairs (zero tables
of course), allowing for a good wide ‘cross’-shaped aisle bisecting
the room (my platform is in the center of that cross, one ‘arm’
leads to the Agenda wall and on the other three ‘arms’ are…topics
tables…see below).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>In the other three ‘arms’ of the cross-shaped aisles
(not the one leading to the Agenda Wall) I have - in each of those - three or
four rectangular tables touching/in a line to form in each aisle one very long
table. On these tables I have pre-set many markers, plus many topic signs. If
the time is short I pre-affix the little time/space post-its to those topic
signs, if not I put those post-its to the side of the Agenda Wall in the usual
way. At the center end of these sign-making stations I position a microphone
on a stand. I also hold a microphone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>In the center of every of the 50+ circles of chairs I have a
location sign (such as “A” or “AA”), notes-taker forms,
and sign-in sheets to pass during a discussion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>(there are more than 50 possible conversations of course, as you
have your different session times x number of discussion circles - the numbers
of discussion circles depends on the size of the room - for large groups I like
to imagine my group size divided by 15 to imagine how many discussion areas - others
do this differently)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>On the walls (for visibility and help with traffic in a very large
room) I have big signs that say things like “A through N” so one
can look across the room and know where to walk to.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>People start by coming into the room and sitting anywhere - in any
one of those little circles of chairs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>I open, explain process and guidelines, from my little platform in
the center.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>I invite people to come to the sign-making tables, make a topic
sign, come to their microphone, announce their topic, and post it on the Agenda
Wall.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>As people do this I indicate each next speaker, in the round. I am
still using / physicalizing the opening circle. My indication of who speaks
next also helps the seated participants know who is speaking next. With a large
room it is useful to know this as the sound sounds like it comes from
everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>Agenda co-creation in my experience has never lasted longer than 1
hour 15 minutes - no matter how large the group has been.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>Then we are off - people simple go to the Agenda Wall (you want
plenty of room for traffic in front of that and it wants to be very long if
possible to allow all to see), put their names on the signs (if that’s
your approach) or not, then go to the discussion areas where their preferred
topics are.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>**everything happens in the same big room**. **there is no space/time
in-between sessions on the schedule** **food is also brought in to stations
around the edges of this room** **if there is a Newsroom, ideally it is also
along the wall of this same room** ** if additional signage is needed helium
balloons or signs hanging from the ceiling may be used ** <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>We come back together at Closing Circle time by sitting anywhere.
I am once again twirling on my little platform in the center. I invite Closing
Circle comments and reflections, once again indicating in the round who next
will speak as they once again come up to stand at the 3 microphones.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>We have a really delicious time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>My fabulous colleagues who also have done larger OS will give you
other ideas from their own experiences…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>Our warm wishes go with you,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'>Lisa<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:green'>Join me for the Open Space Learning Workshop this December 17-19
in San Francisco -- for information and registration: </span></i></b><b><i><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#00CC00'><a
href="mailto:lisaheft@openingspace.net"><span style='font-size:7.5pt;
color:green'>lisaheft@openingspace.net</span></a></span></i></b><b><i><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:green'> </span></i></b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=PT style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:black'>___________________________</span><span lang=PT style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=PT style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:blue'>L i s a H e f t<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=PT style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:blue'>Consultant, Facilitator, Educator<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=PT style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:blue'>O p e n i n g S p a c e</span><span lang=PT style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><a href="mailto:lisaheft@openingspace.net"><span lang=PT
style='color:black'>lisaheft@openingspace.net</span></a></span><span lang=PT
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";
color:black'><a href="http://www.openingspace.net/"><span lang=PT
style='color:black'>www.openingspace.net</span></a></span><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black'> <span
lang=PT><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=PT> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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