I find that the closing is an opportunity to reflect not only what has been accomplished but also the manner in which it took place - thereby opening up some space for deeper learning about Open Space, and more importantly the force which lies behind it, Self-organization. There are situations where such reflection can be particularly useful such as in a corporate or business environment (including NGO sorts of business). The assumptions of how business should be conducted are so deeply rooted that many people miss what actually takes place in Open Space. They presume that concerted action can only take place with prior organization. They presume that tasks will only be performed when somebody is ordered to do so. And they also seem to presume that Leadership is located in the one, powerful individual with the title. With such presumptions acting as blinders and filters it is very difficult to really see what happens in Open Space - because quite frankly it should not take place. Everybody knows that. The difficulty in "seeing" is increased by virtue of the fact that, generally speaking, the experience in Open Space seemed very natural and felt pretty good. There are exceptions of course, but most folks in my experience take to Open Space like fish to water and seeing the water is pretty hard.
What I might call "the organizational reflection" need not be lengthy and involved, and certainly not a speech. I find that the simple question, "What did you notice that was odd or strange about our time together . . .?" will usually get the ball rolling. You can also put that question in a simple frame. My favorite is the Medicine Wheel (see the last part of The User's Guide for the details) Another possibility is a little bit radical, but it goes like this - first ask if the participants found the time useful and productive. Presuming a positive response, the follow up question goes like, "Well how about doing this 24X7 - 365 day of the year." The "radical" part of this comes from the fact that folks will find themselves in the awkward position of comparing their OS experience with the everyday work environment. This is usually pretty shattering, and can make a lot of folks quite uncomfortable. But it is all in a good cause. Heck - they might even find a life. Or something. Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, Maryland 20854 Phone 301-365-2093 Skype hhowen Open Space Training <http://www.openspaceworld.com/> www.openspaceworld.com Open Space Institute <http://www.openspaceworld.org/> www.openspaceworld.org Personal website <http://www.ho-image.com/> www.ho-image.com OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: <http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html> www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Lisa Heft Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 10:21 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Closings Hello dear colleagues - I was wondering what you folks do for closings. Usually the amazing reflections shared in a Closing Circle are completely enough, and powerful, and amazing. And nothing more is needed. In addition to that, sometimes, in some instances, in some cultures, and where appropriate to the event and the people, we do one more thing. Some of you experienced a group poem at OSonOS Halifax or saw my post about that. And if I'm not mistaken I posted how to do that (if not do remind me and I shall - I haven't visited the archives to double-check that). Sometimes as participants have returned to their Closing Circle seats I have placed a brightly-colored paper (or shape cut out of paper) on their seats, along with a marker. I have asked them to reflect in silence and to think of one word that describes.whatever is pertinent to the event but often something like: After having shared this experience together, what do you bring back out with you into the world / your community? After silent reflective writing, I invite participants to, in turn, stand, say their word and tape their shape to the wall, creating a mosaic of gifts, emotions, whatever I am inviting. Other times - for example for a faith community - we have set up candles in the center and the group has stood for a final prayer (ideally through song). You can see photos of some of these closings at http://www.openingspace.net/gallery/agora.cgi?cart_id=6584162.28703*qu7_p6 <http://www.openingspace.net/gallery/agora.cgi?cart_id=6584162.28703*qu7_p6&; next=126&exact_match=on&product=Anatomy_of_an_Open_Space_Event> &next=126&exact_match=on&product=Anatomy_of_an_Open_Space_Event (see Marei sitting in the circle at OSonOS 2003? See Mikk singing a song he learned from a tree, at that same event? See the cross on the floor made of candles from a strategic planning session I did with a Catholic diocese? (we hoped the hotel sprinklers would not turn on!). See the balloons tied to the chairs? At OSonOS 2003 (thank you Thomas and Gerard for facilitating) at the very end we all untied our balloons and walked outside the magnificent barn we were meeting in and released our balloons into the air. And see the circle of people doing something physical together - that is our group at OSonOS 2003 making the sound of rain. Ms. Gabriela, would you please describe that for us? Gabriela was the one who invited us to do that. And: what else have you done, dear colleagues, for closing? I will collect your answers here and make a paper for us all to share in the future. Thank you, Lisa ___________________________ L i s a H e f t Consultant, Facilitator, Educator O p e n i n g S p a c e 2325 Oregon Berkeley, California 94705-1106 USA +01 510 548-8449 <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] <http://www.openingspace.net> www.openingspace.net * * ========================================================== [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 * * ========================================================== [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
