At 02:27 PM 1/3/01 +0000, you wrote:
So here's what stumps me. Should I facilitate an OST meeting, trust the OST process, and let Playback process emerge where and when it will? Or is this a chance to plan for the use of Playback forms for particular parts of the retreat? What about the small size of the group, their high trust level, and their natural propensity to do group processing as a whole?
********************************************************************* No matter what you are going to have a great time, As for advice -- I'd say "Straight Ahead with Open Space," and let the theatre happen where, as, and when it will (which is usually the case even when you don't have such a talented crew.) And under no circumstances would I "plan" anything -- especially theatre. This is not about maintaining the "purity of Open Space" -- it is about enabling the folks to explore FREELY the Open Space they are already in -- no help needed. I say all this with some conviction and (surprise) experience. Actually, indirect experience. About 5 years ago a friend facilitated an Open Space for the Community Arts Councils of the US -- all of whom had been working under a grant from the Pew Foundation. It was their last collective gathering at the end of the grant. Having nothing to loose, and also having been bored and aggravated with all prior annual meetings, they decided on Open Space. All was in readiness and at the last moment, the foundation folks freaked. Decided they needed to have some "substance." Since they couldn't program the whole 2 and 1/2 days, they thought they could at least start with a Panel of Experts. And they did. About 5 minutes into the program a very large Male type (Black, I am told) stood up in the rear of the room, in the midst of the panel discussion -- and said something to the effect -- "I don't know quite what this Open Space Shit is -- but this sure ain't it! I'm gone until it gets better." There were some anxious moments for the organizing committee -- and they bowed to the inevitable. Just open the space. And it was all open space from there on out. It was also truly wonderful. Just imagine allowing100 passionately creative folks to just be themselves. They did a video and even from that cold medium it was a hot time indeed. I cry every time I see it. The Spirit was intense. So anyhow. Trust the folks.. Forget the plan. Just let them be themselves. You will never forget it. Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, MD 20854 USA phone 301-469-9269 fax 301-983-9314 Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org Personal website www.mindspring.com/~owenhh
