Hi Rich, I think that it was primarily the freedom to set up their agenda of concerns- somehow clearing the way for the decisive stuff they had to do over the next few days- in a fair, open, "democratic", and non-controversial way.
I might say that they did some "unconventional" things- like crashing three breakout groups together at the last minute- they individually didn't really want to miss anything. And they wanted to go on so long with their last discussion that we never did really have closure- of course they weren't going away anywhere physically , and it was easy to do a different kind of closure- more of a rite of passage the next day. Amusingly, in fact, that last prolonged discussion went on so long- food and guests started to arrive and even a beginning of what would have been a feeble closure that night by me was pre-empted with one of them announcing "WHEN IT'S OVER, IT'S OVER". That along with the feast and guests, and the "rite" the next morning was more than adequte closure to the Space. This age group doesn't like anything phony. For example, in the end, some of their discussions ended up being such a flow of consciousness coming out deep mutual awareness of what the issues were, that they unilaterally and almost subconsciouly abondoned the notion of full proceedings BUT when they came to really fresh meaty ideas, they spontaneously took to full flipchart recording with constant amending on the spot from everyone. These sheets informed our post Open Space discussions over the next two days incredibly well, demonstrating the worth of the OST process itself ( and its timing for our 4-day planning retreat), as well as the need for flexibility, particularily with a group like this - bright, caring people in their 20's. Hope that that helps. I'd be interested in hearing how your session develops. Cheers, Marks Marks & Margaret McAvity Site 50, Comp 16 Galiano Island, BC, VON 1P0 CANADA Tel 250-539-2881 (Gal) Tel 604-827-0305 (Van) Tel 250-539-0146 (mob) [email protected] (us) [email protected] (Marg) ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2000 5:06 AM Subject: Re: Article request > Mark, > > What was it about Open Space that was valued by this particular group? > > Rich Norris > > At 06:53 PM 4/23/00 -0700, you wrote: > > I've done one for aboutr 10 people in their late 20's- mostly Phd's -bright > >and fiesty- it was part of a 4 days planning to devise a creatrive new > >course in Inter-religious relations. Glad to tell you more. > > > >Cheers, > >marks > >Marks & Margaret McAvity > >Site 50, Comp 16 > >Galiano Island, > >BC, VON 1P0 > >CANADA > >Tel 250-539-2881 (Gal) > >Tel 604-827-0305 (Van) > >Tel 250-539-0146 (mob) > >[email protected] (us) > >[email protected] (Marg) > >----- Original Message ----- > >From: <[email protected]> > >To: <[email protected]> > >Sent: Saturday, April 22, 2000 7:11 PM > >Subject: Article request > > > > > >> I am looking for a recount of any Open Space event (article etc.) where > >the > >> participants were predominately in the 20 -30 year age range (Gen X). If > >> anyone has one or knows of one I would appreciate it ifg you could email > >it > >> to me > >> > >> [email protected] > >> > >> Thanks > >> Rich Norris > >> Satellite Beach, Florida > >> (407)779-0531 > >> <[email protected]> > >> > > > > > Rich Norris > Satellite Beach, Florida > (407)779-0531 > <[email protected]>
