The objective is to give over some KNOWLEDGE about the European Union and
use this topic as a political communication practice field.
My expected role is to handle the group dynamics and create situations where
they can practice their communication skills.
Up till this point I don't think the OS could be much help.
BUT: There are the evenings, where we have to create some combination of
learning, having formal and informal discussion and make fun. And here I
think, the OST could be a method.
What this and Harrison's story reminds me of is the origin of the
t-group process. What actually happened (or so the story goes) is
that NTL was holding some trainings during the day and the staff was
meeting at night. The members of the training group asked to attend
and what the session developed into was an open and honest dialog on
what had happened during the day. The process was so rich that people
looked at what was happening and realized the power in being able to
have a forum that encouraged talking about the quality of each
persons immediate experience. This developed into the t-group
process.
I am thinking that what you might do is to host an evening open space
and frame it around talking about what the experience of the day has
been like. Encourage openness and honestly and the use of the
communication skills you have introduced people to.
I think you might discover that the session could develop into a
powerful experience.
I only wish the possibility for something like this existed in our
American political parties. (Encourage them to stand their ground
against our nebish of a president. He does not represent the desires
of the large majority of the people of this country. they'll be
doing us a favor.)
Kenoli Oleari
At 09:41 AM 6/22/01 +0200, Gyuri wrote:
Several years ago, a major national organization in the United
States was having its annual convention. The issues were very hot
and contentions, and some people were pretty sure the organization
would not survive, at least in any meaningful fashion. Actually the
convention was sort of do or die thing -- and folks were really into
giving it their best. However it was also a very old and
conservative organization so their method of procedure was lots of
presented papers from all the people who had created the mess in the
beginning, followed by a brief discussion from those who had the
status to discus... At least that was the proposed design, and who
would think of doing anything else. After all that is what we have
done for hundreds of years.
And then somebody recognized -- "we have the evenings" -- and space
was opened every night. I didn't do it, and when asked about the
possibility of success, I was pretty negative. But I was profoundly
wrong. Every evening 1200-1500 folks had the opportunity to sort
through all the stuff of the day... Some say those evenings made the
difference... Who knows. But anyhow, I would give it a go. What have
you got to lose? Just be prepared for the fact that everybody might
rather go to the bar. A different kind of Open Space. But there is
usually plenty of spirit of all sorts.
Harrison
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, MD 20854 USA
phone 301-469-9269
fax 301-983-9314
Summer Phone 207-763-3261
Summer Address
189 Beaucaire Ave.
Camden, ME 04843
Personal website www.mindspring.com/~owenhh
Open Space Institute website www.openspaceworld.org
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
--
Kenoli Oleari, Horizons of Change, http://www.horizonsofchange.com
1801 Fairview Street, Berkeley, CA 94703 Voice Phone: 510-601-8217,
Fax: 510-595-8369, Email: [email protected] (or click on: mailto://[email protected])
