Chris-- Sorry for jumping so late into this conversation. I've facilitated a few Open Space conferences with ten or fewer people, and one to three days in length. I did not make any particular changes in what I do (except have a translator for the one in Russian). The group decides whether to meet as a "committee of the whole" or divide into smaller groups--usually some combination of the two--it is indeed self-organizing and self-managing.
I have used the exact process that Alexander describes for setting the agenda for meetings that follow an Open Space conference in an organization. It is a different dynamic than writing the agenda up on one sheet of paper, and the group decides whatto address first. Some topics which are not addressed directly are handled in other discussions, and any which are left unfinished are carried over to the next meeting. Working in a conventional "facilitator" role, I feel the need to re-design for every different kind of meeting. But when what is wanted is self-organiz ation, OST is a simple and effective way to allow people to self-organize. And I bill the client anyway. Joelle * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
