Hi Catherine,
Love all of the contributions so far. I have facilitated a number of
OS events with a large number of seniors present. Never any problems
managing the usual process--like the rest of us, they are able to take
care of their needs as the day goes along, naps and all. The beauty
of OS.
The only two things I take into extra consideration (other than the
usual accessibility concerns as for any venue) are needing to be more
mindful of hearing issues (make sure your sound system is the kind
that doesn't produce feedback when it gets near a hearing aid!) and i
have had multiple requests to have the markers and paper elevated off
the floor (stiff joints and all) and possibly some writing surfaces
available as getting down onto the floor to write out the topics is
very challenging for some--and shaking hands can need something to
help them steady. If you tackle it as you would any group that has
multiple physical challenges, rather than focusing on age, you'll do
fine.
Best wishes and blessings,
Wendy
On 22-Nov-10, at 6:19 AM, Harrison Owen wrote:
Having spent 75 years on this planet, I guess I could qualify as a
“senior,” and from that perspective I would judge that seniors are
pretty much like everybody else. If they have the passion, time will
not matter. As for storytelling, I think that is what OS is all
about, so I wouldn’t worry about a special time – it is going to
happen regardless. And being a senior in Open Space is the greatest
because you can go at your own pace. Need a nap – use your two feet
and find a comfortable place!
Harrison
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Dr.
Potomac, MD 20854
USA
Phone 301-365-2093
www.openspaceworld.com
www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)
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From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of
Catherine Pfaehler
Sent: Sunday, November 21, 2010 4:12 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Open Space with seniors
Dear friends
I have been asked by the Grey Panthers (a political organisation of
seniors) to briefly present OST to them on Tuesday, Nov. 30th. Most
of them are 55 years old or older. They want to have a one-day-event
dealing with their future and their image. At the same time, my
contact tells me that many of them like to tell stories from their
earlier lives when they were still working, and most of them think
that a whole day is too long for them. Some have also become a bit
fatalist, not caring too much about the future anymore.
Please let me know what your experiences are when facilitating OST
for seniors, and how to deal with the above contradictions, i.e. how
to give enough time for storytelling when at the same time one
entire day might be too long for them to attend.
I will be out of my office for a week now, but would be delighted to
find some of your answers in OSLIST by then. Thank you already!!!
With gratitude, Catherine
Catherine Pfaehler
lic.oec.HSG
Open Space Begleitung
Burckhardtstrasse 2
CH - 3008 Bern
Telefon +41-(0)31 - 536 05 31
Mobile +41-(0)76 - 488 15 46
[email protected]
www.open-space-begleitung.ch
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Wendy Farmer-O'Neil
CEO Prospera Consulting
[email protected]
1-800-713-2351
The moment of change is the only poem. -- Adrienne Rich
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