At 01:20 PM 6/12/2003 -0400, Birgitt Williams wrote:
Your responses generated further questions and comments within me.
I guess they did!
1. I was interested in both of you commenting that announcing the topics was an integral part of OST for you and that this was not on your list of "one more thing not to do". I would be very interested in what your lists of integral ingredients for a well done OST meeting are---not just the description in the User's Guide but what you actually do in your OST facilitation.
I don't know that I have much more/less than in the User's guide. but the announcement is critical for me, and certainly not under the heading of one more thing not to do.
2. I was interested that Harrison notes that 1 1/2 hours for the opening/agenda/marketplace is standard and for Michael that a built in coffee time before the first session is standard. I had remembered being taught by Harrison to get this all done as quickly as possible and preferably in less than an hour so that the energy didn't diminish. It appears from your reporting that the energy doesn't diminish even with 2 hours before the first session.
I try to move as quickly as possible in order to save time for coffee before the first event. I think we come at the same place.
3. Your design allowed you three session times. I would be very interested in hearing more about your decision making of having 3 rather than more session times and why you chose the length of time for each session that you did.
Michael chose the times -- but i certainly concurred. Having 1 and 1/2 hour per session allowed for good conversation and also passage time to the next group. Seemed to work.
4. As I understand it, the agenda wall was the full use of three walls that were set up so that every meter there was a number posted, for the report number---this had the topics posted side by side and always allowing for a meter. How did you handle the space and time assignments with what you set up. And where on the wall did those extra topics that you had not counted on go? Do you have any recommendations for us about using this kind of organized agenda wall? Could people easily find the topics for any given time slot to see easily what the choices were to choose from--or did they have to walk along to read the three walls?
this was Michael's baby -- but basically there were three walls and three session(times) One time per wall. The walls themselves were made out of 1 meter plastic frames, so spacing was pre-ordained. And people posted the additional topics on one of the three walls (depending on their choice of time.
5. Harrison, you note that one of the reasons you chose Michael to work with you is that he would do a good job of dealing with the logistics and of working effectively with the client. What work in your opinion does the facilitator (or in this case designate) take on regarding the logistics and what is expected in "dealing with the client"? And Michael, what was the pre-work that you had to do. How many meetings were involved and what kind of things did you need to cover and to get involved in? I think there was some brilliant decision making for some very difficult challenges such as the cushions on the floor, the balloons from which to hang the signs and so on.
I think what Michael brought to the party (outside of lots of experience) was a great sense of humor and real playfulness. Without those two, we probably wouldn't have gotten to balloons.
6. What were the client expectations for this one day OST event? What were you assisting the client to achieve? I note in reading the reports that the reports themselves are often vague and probably mean something only to those who participated in that particular discussion (this is not unusual for OST reports unless the report form has more structure). Did the client expectations/goals get met not only for the event itself but expectations of what might emerge following the event?
Major objective, as I understood it was to provide a space/time for the participants to synthesize their learning from the preceding 3 days -- and if possible -- push on to something new. So the notes were very much aide de memoire.
7. I noted with great curiousity that you both did your own unique style of the opening rather than one being a translation of the other. I am fascinated to hear more about this because it taps right into the answer of the question of "what does it mean to open space?". Based on two different openings within the same group within the same time, there is clearly something that is in common that actually opens the space. Any comments that you have regarding this would be appreciated. I also know, having experienced each of you "opening space" that you each have VERY different energies and styles.
One thing for sure -- it is only marginally about the words. Some instructions need to be given -- but from there on out it is a matter of focus and launch. I always think about it as launching a ship. All you do is pull the chocks, break the champagne, and let her rip. The launch pretty much takes care of itself.
8. I was also interested by your comments, Harrison, regarding "Effective Open Space facilitation requires the subtle, conscious, and sensitive use of both." referring to the facilitator tapping into his/her male and female energy and the male/female energy in the group. I wonder if you could please say a little more regarding your assessment of "Effective Open Space Facilitation" rather than Ineffective Open Space Facilitation. Is it somehow tied into this male/female energy in your opinion?
I'll pass on this one -- I'm out of steam. but good question. ho Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, MD 20854 USA phone 301-365-2093 Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected] Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
