Hi Leslie,<br><br>Beneath my remarks is one thing that I've seen in tiny ost meetings: even when we explain the law and the insects really well in the opening, I have experienced that a group of 12 or fewer is susceptible to a sometimes mildly coercive dynamic which results in the whole group staying together instead of using the law to break out into smaller groups. it's not always coercive but it sometimes feels that way. other times I see an enthusiastic choice to stay together rather than break out. and other times there are topics and insects all around the room.<br>
<br>when learned quickly that I would not find a way to intervene in this dynamic, I found one way to make life a little easier (call attention to the shorter session times) and the rest is letting go.<br><br>hope this helps.<br>
<br>Jeff<br><br><br>On Thursday, December 22, 2011, Jeff Aitken <<a href="mailto:r.jeff.aitken@gmail.com">r.jeff.aitken@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>> Hi Leslie,<br>><br>> This will be a good meeting, tho it's hard to say whether it will also look like an open space with more people and more time. so I don't know if the goal of being a pilot test will be met in that way. people will experience the opening and the principles and law and the agenda wall, and that will be good, and their topics will be posted, and there might be as many topics as participants, or not.<br>
><br>> the practice of letting go as a facilitator is unique in a tiny ost. participants might do what is typical in a larger ost, move into small groups and make the change at the session time and come back for the closing.<br>
><br>> yet they might instead make a group choice to stay together and cover the agenda items on the wall as a whole group. in that case I would remind them gently that the time available for each topic is now shorter - ten topics in an hour is six minutes each for example - and suggest they write that down on the agenda posters. then let go, don't offer to facilitate actively, hold space as they go thru the session times. it may feel weird to not be engaged, but it will be fine.<br>
><br>> they might also make the choice as a whole group to cover just one agenda item for the entire time, or two, and the other topics will not be touched upon at all.<br>><br>> so I suggest to consider how these differences may impact the outcomes you want from this ost (will there be notes on each topic even if it's not talked about at length?) and how you reflect on the event in the closing circle and in communication with boss and staff afterward. (was this a typical ost, just shorter, or did it look a little different?)<br>
><br>> I also might suggest longer session times and a shorter opening and closing circle for the small group. 20-40-40-20?<br>><br>> go Leslie!<br>><br>> Jeff<br>> San Francisco<br>><br>><br>><br>
><br>> On Thursday, December 22, 2011, Leslie Zucker (Creative/DC) <<a href="mailto:LeslieZ@creativedc.com">LeslieZ@creativedc.com</a>> wrote:<br>>> Hello everyone,<br>>><br>>> I got such great feedback last time I tried this, I’m giving it a second try… thanks in advance.<br>
>><br>>> <br>>><br>>> I have been asked to facilitate a small group of just 10 people in a pilot test of a short Open Space of just two hours. I tried to get more time, but that’s all the boss felt comfortable with.<br>
>><br>>> It’s already scheduled for this coming Wednesday the 28th – that’s in 6 days, gulp!<br>>><br>>> The purpose is to gather their input for an initial training needs assessment.<br>>><br>
>> The 10 people are all from the same division within my company – but not my division. I will facilitate it – my first time facilitating an Open Space.<br>>><br>>> <br>>><br>>> The invitation to them and agenda I’ve drafted are below…. Any reactions, words of advice, wisdom, tips, etc?<br>
>><br>>> <br>>><br>>> Invitation I plan to send to the invitees tomorrow…<br>>><br>>> <br>>><br>>> What training matters to you? What is urgent now? <br>>><br>>> Come join us for a fun and provocative gathering on Wednesday, December 28th 2:00 - 4:00 PM to discuss these questions.<br>
>><br>>> <br>>><br>>> Held in the large conference room – 7th floor. No need to bring or prepare anything – just yourself and an open mind!<br>>><br>>> By the end of this gathering….<br>
>><br>>> · Every issue of concern to anybody will have been raised, if they took responsibility for doing that.<br>>><br>>> · All issues will have received full discussion, to the extent desired.<br>
>><br>>> <br>>><br>>> And just a day or two later, the issues and discussions will be documented and in the hands of all participants.<br>>><br>>> <br>>><br>>> <br>>><br>
>> And from here down is my own preparation…<br>>><br>>> <br>>><br>>> Draft Schedule<br>>><br>>> 2:00 - 2:30: Opening Circle / Create agenda / Marketplace (with 2 timeslots, 3 locations each)<br>
>><br>>> 2:30 - 3:00: Session 1<br>>><br>>> 3:00 – 3:30: Session 2<br>>><br>>> 3:30 - 4:00: Closing Circle<br>>><br>>> <br>>><br>>> Preparations<br>>><br>
>> Signs of:<br>>><br>>> · 4 principles,<br>>><br>>> · 1 law,<br>>><br>>> · two questions,<br>>><br>>> · time slots,<br>>><br>>> · location of groups<br>
>><br>>> <br>>><br>>> Graphics of:<br>>><br>>> · bumblebee,<br>>><br>>> · butterfly,<br>>><br>>> <br>>><br>>> Supplies:<br>>><br>
>> · Masking tape,<br>>><br>>> · markers,<br>>><br>>> · flip charts,<br>>><br>>> · construction paper (for the agenda topics),<br>>><br>>> · Blank template for notetakers: Title of session, Convener, List of participants, Discussion and recommendations<br>
>><br>>> <br>>><br>>> <br>>><br>>> <br>>><br>>> Leslie S. Zucker<br>>><br>>> Training Manager<br>>><br>>> Human Resources Division<br>>><br>
>> <br>>><br>>> Creative Associates International<br>>><br>>> 5301 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 700<br>>><br>>> Washington, DC 20015<br>>><br>>> Office: 202-772-0022<br>>><br>
>> Fax: 202-363-1258<br>>><br>>> Email: LeslieZ@creativeDC.com<br>>><br>>> Website Address: <a href="http://www.creativeassociatesinternational.com">www.creativeassociatesinternational.com</a><br>
>><br>>> <br>>><br>>>