Please add anything that you think might be useful to Kevin. In particular, I suspect his question on conflicts in Open Space would benefit from a variety of viewpoints.
Peg Holman > >>-----Original Message----- >>From: Kevin O'Brien <[email protected]> >>To: [email protected] <[email protected]> >>Date: Wednesday, July 08, 1998 12:34 PM >>Subject: Open Space Technology >> >> >>>I just bought Harrison's User's Guide to OPT and devoured it in less than >a >>>day. >>> >>>What came to mind during the reading was if this could be used with >>>conducting retreats for people interested in a particular topic such as: >>>Passing on the family business; Story of a Man's Life; Being a Lawyer in >>>Litigious Times; or whatever. >>> >>>I have a couple of questions though. >>> >>>Has it ever happened that not enough issues/concerns or opportunities were >>>surfaced during the first session to fill all the time slots? Also, how >do >>>you manage the time/space chart if a convener wants to meet at the pool >>>instead of one of the designated break out rooms? Have there ever been >>>serious conflicts in one of the break out sessions and how was it handled? >>> >>>I would be very interested in knowing what your thoughts are on these >>>possibilities and questions. I'm eager to do one myself. I've been a >>>participant in a short OST workshop and found it to be a very good >>>experience. >>> >>>Sincerely, >>> >>>Kevin O'Brien >>> >> >> > >-----Original Message----- >From: Peggy Holman, Open Space Institute <[email protected]> >To: Kevin O'Brien <[email protected]> >Date: Monday, July 13, 1998 8:37 AM >Subject: Re: Open Space Technology > > >>Kevin, >> >>Sorry for the slow response. I just returned from vacation last night and >>am catching up on e-mail. I'm glad you're excited by Open Space. The >>topics you listed all sound quite feasible. What makes OS work is passion >>and responsibility, so when people care, they come and participate. Open >>Space is a great approach for bringing people together to create what they >>want. >> >>On your questions, the answers are pretty straightforward: >> >>>Has it ever happened that not enough issues/concerns or opportunities were >>>surfaced during the first session to fill all the time slots? >> >>Posting sessions isn't that exacting. There may be plenty of time slots >>left over. Sometimes there may be more sessions than anticipated by the >>time/space matrix. The important thing is the conversations people are >>interested in holding. The number of sessions are simply the manifestation >>of what is important to people to spend time on. >> >>Also, how do >>>you manage the time/space chart if a convener wants to meet at the pool >>>instead of one of the designated break out rooms? >> >>During the opening, I'll generally let people know that if they want to >move >>their session or hold it in a different place, write it on the page so >>people know where to go. If they are moving, they can also leave a note on >>the door of the original space. Again, the quality of conversation or >>activity is what's important. The logistics are best kept as simple as >>possible with people using their own good judgment and following what has >>heart and meaning for them. >> >>Have there ever been >>>serious conflicts in one of the break out sessions and how was it handled? >> >>There are many serious and passionate conversations between people with >>deeply conflicted views that have taken place in Open Space. If, by >>conflict, you mean physical violence, I have never personally experienced >>that nor heard of anyone who has. I have heard Harrison Owen say he >>believes this is the case because of the Law of Two Feet. If someone is >hot >>enough to get physical, they have the option to walk away and cool off. >> >>This is a good question for the Open Space e-mail list. I'm going to send >>it on and will copy you on that. >> >>You might want to take a look at some of the materials on the OS web site >if >>you haven't already: www.tmn.com/openspace >> >>Please write or call if I can be of further help, >> >>Peg Holman >>Open Space Institute >> > > >
