Denis -- Don't think Alan will limit himself to dancing -- I foresee singing, as well (!).
How marvelous that you have been giving this opportunity! You're the right person, and this is the right time, I guess, eh? And outside??? Amazing. The things that come to mind (you were at last year's outside event?) are preparing for wind, people being able to hear each other (you've got that microphone), people needing to get a bit of protection from too much sun or heat, and people with mobility issues being able to sit on the ground (or whatever) or walk (or roll) on uneven surfaces. Here's what I have found with large Open Space events: - As Harrison once said, it has also been my experience that it never takes more than about an hour and 15 minutes for any sized group to announce and post their topics. Last year you said it took 1.5 hours. (you meant creating the agenda, right?) Might be just the same this year, even though the group has grown. Somehow maybe peoples' physical energy? Transitions them from being able to announce to getting ready to move already. - My thought is to NOT use more than one marketplace. The one marketplace will seek its own level, then that will be that, and it will all work out. - If we are providing materials (notes-taker forms, extra paper) in each discussion area, I find that I put in a lot of miles going around to those sites to replenish materials after each session or two. Either there's a way to put enough materials in each site or other people on your team can take over this job for you. - In my experience in large events, any sort of signage I intend to make (if you will be using signage) has to be made quite a bit larger, with several signs saying the same thing posted around so everyone can see them. This always takes *much* more of my preparation time than I ever expect. In one very large (1500) event I made handouts with the guidelines (principles, law, etc.) for everyone, because we had nowhere to post signs (it all took place in an airplane hangar - a vast space with m-a-n-y discussion areas) Of course, maybe you won't use signs and you'll just point to a different tree each time to embody it with a specific principle or law... I'm interested to hear thoughts from other folks who've done large events. Denis - I wish I could be there - I shall be in spirit... Lisa Berkeley, California, USA * * ========================================================== 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
