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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Hi,<span
style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Chris
you say:<span style='color:#1F497D'> </span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>It's not a reticence to have
a circle in this case...it's a purely logistical consideration in terms of a
few other things that are happening around the Open Space - meals and an
opening speaker.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><br>
<b>Speaker</b> can have a greater impact speaking in a circle as has been said
already; if that person is not comfortable, I've created an oval U-shape with
an opening at the end or a round shape with an opening for the speaker to stand
(where chairs would have been), It's quick and easy to redo the circle when
that part is over - usually during a break before the opening.<br>
<br>
<b>Meals:</b> plan the kind of food people can put in a plate and carry with
them; to vary at other meals, have an open lunch box they can fill at a buffet
table. Creates more mobility for multiple conversations during meals – a plus
for communications and building relationship!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Walls
: </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Another
idea that can help and add a touch of creativity: clothes lines hooked from
posts or existing hard surface if any, lying flat along the cloth walls to
attach topics, posters, reports etc </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><br>
<b>Tables : </b>Given many know already of Open Space, the tables may communicate
lack of trust even if that is not the case as you say. <span
style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Circle</span></b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>: I’d work
really hard at saving the circle for its symbol and power in communicating principles
of equal footing for participation, emerging leadership from everywhere, openness
and a break from the past and usual hierarchical way of doing things and finally,
the effect all this has on creativity and deeper reflection. Why potentially deprive
present and future participants and organizers of higher levels of performance
and results? </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Most
importantly, what to call it.</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> That is the key question here in my view.<b>
</b>The many suggestions made on the list are good and sometimes, these methods
already go by another name like Lisa pointed out earlier about Birds of a Feather.
So why not do Birds of a Feather and call it that and even add a few principles
borrowed from OST to open it up some more? Given OST is known to some, I would prefer
not to call the process OS if it has tables so expectations are not created and
therefore, set up for a let down. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>More
importantly, using the name OST or OS circulates a distorted picture to those
not familiar with it and spreads around a compromised more structured picture
of OS to other group settings that will then not benefit of the power of the
circle and messages associated with it. With those participants, he open approach
will be more easily set aside in the future by citing this example with tables since
we tend to do what we are already comfortable with. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>In
Canada, we have seen this happen in a some very large organizations. Again a
few weeks ago, I met facilitators – and they have their own internal network
- who say they facilitate Open Space and what they describe has lots of
structure and control as the example they were given over 12 years ago by a
facilitator that preferred the traditional way of facilitation and who did not
trust the process fully. Spreading a perception is like opening a pillow of
feathers. You can’t put them back in the pillow once they’ve gone
with the wind. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><br>
You're right Chris, these conversations with the client make for long days but
it's great to see that you are bringing movement in their thinking.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The
best to you with this interesting challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Diane<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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