<div>Thanks Suzanne for sharing this, a learning experience for all of us.</div>
<div>Elisabeth</div>
<div>Venezuela<br><br></div>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Sep 3, 2009 at 5:29 PM, Suzanne Daigle <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:sdaigle4@gmail.com">sdaigle4@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid">
<p>Back from Boston after facilitating “A<span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)"> </span><b style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)"><i>Taste</i></b> of Open Space” at the NAMAC (National Alliance for Media, Arts and Culture) Conference.<span> </span>This was my first large event (300+ participants); did not have that much lead time to prepare; and the circumstances were less than ideal: blended with workshops, no opportunity to sit in a circle and for a while, I worried about wall space and ability to use masking tape on the walls of this ornate room in a historical hotel. We used blue painters’ tape. </p>
<p>Looking back, I would not have traded a minute of this experience. Yes, it could have been so much better but ultimately it was worth it based on the number of conversations (20 – 25…more?) over the 3 days of the conference.<span> </span>I had 90 minutes on the first morning with the plenary group to OPEN SPACE: announce the OS question tied to their theme (Lisa Heft was so helpful in offering some ideas with lots of other invaluable tips too), to explain the principles and the Law, to build an agenda, and <span> </span>to open a marketplace. Within an hour, no less than 15 groups were talking.<span> </span>I called it the Speed Dating of OPEN SPACE clearly indicating that this was just a “TASTE of Open Space”. I said it would be an opportunity for them to find each other quickly by connecting with others who shared their passion on common topics.<span> </span></p>
<p>I thought I would be a basket case but somehow having meditated twice daily for the 10 days preceding this event, rehearsing on my outside patio over and over, scouring Diane Gibeault’s training materials, reading everything I could get my hands on and seeking help from some OS trusted friends who were so very generous, I felt calm, clear and grounded. <span> </span>It wasn’t about me; it was about the participants! The night before, working with a few volunteers, I took the time to quietly walk the room and did so again the next morning.<span> </span>And I thought of this audience and my passion for their cause – free press, documentary film producers, youth, arts, media, culture, democracy, etc. <span> </span>The hardest part was not having the circle and people writing and posting the topics at the back of the room. Clearly all the OS practitioners are right that you NEED a circle to keep the energy focused in the middle in spite of the fact that I had them visualize a giant circle as part of my intro. Not the same…at all!<span> </span>As people were writing and announcing their topics, many started conversations around their tables and I had to bring them back to attention a few times.<span> </span>I feel we could have had 60 to 75 topics in those first 15 minutes instead of the 30 we got.<span> </span>Others topics were added later and some folks posted Summary Reports from their discussions.</p>
<p>Over the 3 days, there were six 90 minute OS timeslots on the program not including the Closing (no circle there either).<span> </span>What I invited people to do was to live the 4 Principles of OS and the Law of 2 Feet <span> </span>(Butterfly and Bumble Bee) throughout the conference and even beyond.<span> </span>We had blank post-it notes so they could schedule their sessions anytime, anywhere and they did: in the coffee shop, in the bar (15 people form 10 pm until past midnight), early morning and lunchtime as well as in the assigned locations in our plenary room which became the OPEN SPACE hub. What they said they appreciated most was the gift of choice and freedom.</p>
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%">As I watched the conversations happening from afar, I felt such gratitude to have had the courage to do this. People came by to share quietly as I cleaned up coffee cups, trash, etc. <span> </span>The feedback was extremely positive and while I know it could have been better, my commitment to be “opening space” for people wherever and however I can from the heart is what drives me now. <span> </span>Yes I will always push for optimal conditions as I feel I must. But if I can’t get there, I will just try to do my best and not shut the door. <span> </span><span> </span>If anyone wants to know more, I’ll gladly share all that I lived and felt during those three days.<span> </span>I owe so much to this community. Thank you everyone. </span><br>
<br>Link to some of the NAMAC OS photos: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/namac/page5/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/namac/page5/</a><br><br clear="all">Suzanne<br>-- <br><font color="#888888">Suzanne Daigle<br>
NuFocus Strategic Group<br>7159 Victoria Circle<br>University Park, FL 34201<br>FL 941-359-8877; CT 203-722-2009<br><a href="http://www.nufocusgroup.com/" target="_blank">www.nufocusgroup.com</a><br><a href="mailto:s.daigle@nufocusgroup.com" target="_blank">s.daigle@nufocusgroup.com</a><br>
<input type="hidden"><input type="hidden">
<div></div><input type="hidden"><input type="hidden">
<div></div>* * ========================================================== <a href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU" target="_blank">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a> ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of <a href="mailto:oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu" target="_blank">oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu</a>: <a href="http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html" target="_blank">http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html</a> To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist" target="_blank">http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist</a> </font></blockquote>
</div><br><br clear="all">
<div></div><br>-- <br>Elisabeth Tepper K.<br><a href="mailto:elitepperk@gmail.com">elitepperk@gmail.com</a><br>58 212 986 4254<br>58 416 424 7359<br>58 424 256 5855<br>
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist