Thomas --I often do something similar to what Carla does -- find some symbolic object to use as a talking piece (I don't call it a talking stick as I believe that has a particular meaning with aboriginal communities.)
--However, with 600 in a half-day with 1/2 for a closing I sometimes use the microphone in the following way. I would tell people about the talking piece -- the mike. I would carry the mike around the room once, making eye contact down the rows and letting those who want to say something do so. I would not say a word, other than encouraging people to say something if they want to. You have to be present but invisible in doing this. It does reduce the number of speakers, just as putting the mike on the floor or on stools somewhere in the circle. It depends if you have a hard stop for time. It often elicits the key comments. I also kneel or sit down when the person is speaking so that I am less visible. Larry Larry Peterson Associates in Transformation Toronto, ON, Canada 416.653.4829 [email protected] www.spiritedorg.com * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
