Hi Listers Fascinating discussion on convergence. It has focused me on the awesome challenge to translate creativity into action. In this sense, Open Space is a terrific platform to co-create future possibilities and generate consensus and energy behind proposed actions. Unfortunately, unless a facilitator is invited by the sponsor to continue working with participants, it is sometimes difficult to find out what actually happened after an event.
I agree with Peggy's view that it would be much better for actions to emerge from an event without a vote. Sadly, we have never facilitated anything beyond 1.5 days and have not experienced this possibility. In short events, we feel the vote is critical to establish a departure point for things the participants felt were important. It seems essential for transparency and commitment, hopefully, leading to ownership and eventual implementation. So, we encourage sponsors to ask participants at the end of an event to sign-up for more work to implement priorities, trying to keep the door open and energy flowing. Accordingly, we are stuck with dot voting, although it takes no more than 20 minutes for groups up to 100 to vote and another 10 minutes to tally and announce results before going into a closing ceremony. In the end, however, an event is the responsibility (ability to respond) of the participants and sponsor. The facilitator is very limited in realising implementation if there is not enough goodwill, commitment and motivation to take things forward, Cheers Kerry Open Futures Edinburgh www.openfutures.com -- * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
