Hello all, I sent the following message about youth-adult OS sessions to Susan yesterday, but apparently I did not address it correctly to have it reach the rest of you. So, here it is again
I hope that you find it useful. All the best, Buzz -----Original Message----- From: Charles 'Buzz" Blick [mailto:b...@nwlink.com] Sent: Monday, April 02, 2001 9:36 AM To: Susan Partnow Subject: RE: Seeking advice: mixing youth & adults at OS + video Hi Susan, Several years ago I facilitated six, three-day, community-wide, youth-adult open space events in the state of Idaho. They ranged in attendance from about 75 to over 200. About an equal number of youth and young people attended. We found that the young people convened more sessions than the adults, did the majority of the recording, typed up the majority of the final reports and took responsibility for action on many of the final action plans. The results of those open space events are still being used for grant applications and a variety of other community development projects throughout the state. Like you, I was concerned that the young people might feel intimidated or overwhelmed by the adults. We found that that was not the case. Since young people helped design the event, pick the theme statement, get others there and set up the meeting spaces, they felt invested in the event. They were not about to be left out or run over by anyone. At the start of the opening session, the involvement of everyone - young and old - was recognized and applauded. No other "special" rules were used. >From the results, it seemed that none were needed. I was very pleasantly surprised by the active engagement of the young people and the mutual respect shown by everyone for others. I'm glad that they decided not to have "youth only" sessions. In retrospect, any rules of that sort seem not only exclusionary but somewhat patronizing - saying that young people are unable to stand up for themselves and that adults are chronically age-biased. Thankfully, neither proved to be the case. As for the videotaping, we asked everyone to sign a release before the event started. We had a sign-in sheet that explained how and why the filming was being done. We took both digital pictures and some video. No one objected to the taping or picture-taking and all signed the release form. I think people might have been pleased that we valued the event and their participation enough to keep a visual record. The digital photos were very useful later in constructing a visual "scrapbook" of the event, for use in explaining what happened to people who were not there, as well as acting on the action plans in the communities. I have included a copy below of the wording we used in our simple permission statement. It may not be 100% legally valid everywhere on the planet, but it did serve to reassure people - as well let them know what we were doing and why. Below is the text of the "multiple person" release form. Susan, I hope that these comments have been helpful. All the best on your wonderful adventure with this Open Space :) Please post some comments after, to let everyone know how it unfolds. Cheers! Buzz Charles (Buzz) Blick Buzz Blick - Consultation, Facilitation and Training 606 Laurel Drive Everett, Washington USA Phone: (425) 252-8279 Fax: (425) 252-7650 Email: b...@nwlink.com Website: www.buzzblick.com Permission To Use Photos, Video Images, Voice Clips or Interviews We are taking the opportunity to videotape this meeting. We will be making videotapes and recording some conversations of both large and small group sessions. We may also be asking some participants, on a random basis, to voice their opinions about the meetings and give "before and after" interviews of their reactions. All of the camera work and sound recording will be using standard, easily recognized video equipment. We will be not be using any secret cameras, hidden microphones or other non-obvious recording techniques. We plan to edit this video and audio material into one or more short video records of the event. We hope that this video and audio record will help us both evaluate the effectiveness of the meeting and explain the process we used to other groups or individuals who may want to create similar events for their organizations. We will not be selling any of the edited recordings or presenting them in any commercial form. This video and auditory record will not in any way be used to evaluate or critique the work performance of individuals attending this event. We hope that you will see the potential value of this visual and audio record, and will agree to sign and date the permission slip below. Thank you very much for your help! *********************************************************************** Date: ___/_____/_____ Location/Event:_________________________________ "I have read the information above and hereby give my permission to have my voice and/or image recorded during this meeting." * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html =========================================================== osl...@egroups.com To subscribe, 1. Visit: http://www.egroups.com/group/oslist 2. Sign up -- provide an email address, and choose a login ID and password 3. Click on "Subscribe" and follow the instructions To unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@egroups.com: 1. Visit: http://www.egroups.com/group/oslist 2. Sign in and Proceed
