Hi, Thomas -
Thomas has asked for help with design of a several-day OS including action planning. He is also beginning with storytelling and including some marking of topics (I'm not going to call this voting as that implies only those items with majority support will get done or are the things that matter - Thomas of course you feel that too). I'll add my two kronors (Thomas is in Sweden) to the mix of ideas and shared experiences: I find that (and you probably agree, Thomas, if I know you) having participants mark 'hot' issues towards the end of a facilitated event does not necessarily identify which ones will actually get worked on after the event - it's a snapshot of how people feel right then - so whenever one is asking a group to mark topics it's essential to decide on how to name and frame the instructions. What is the group asked to place a sticky-dot on - those topics which can get done with zero additional budget? Those topics that can be done by any individual without needing committee approval? Those topics that require additional research? I find that clarifying this as part of the pre-work is very useful. In addition it helps the client/sponsor/host articulate what is really needed. If they needed to measure accomplishment, that can be done by showing anyone the amazing Book of Proceedings. If they need to measure intention to action, that can be done by showing the action planning forms coming from the 'reopening of space' action planning session. So articulating what and why a dot-'vote' is needed is truly helpful. I find that reopening the space for action planning is a great way to do action planning - and I use an action planning form adapted from the one designed by the fabulous Diane Gibeault and colleagues (page 1 is the form that action planning convenors take to their sessions to document their discussions - along with it is a sign-up sheet for participants in that discussion; page 2 is an example of a personal action planning form that I sometimes put on the chairs in closing circle if one of the intentions of the event is to support people doing their own personal action work). http://www.openingspace.net/openSpaceTechnology_method_resources.shtml (see the second-to-the-last item on this list) I find that action planning sessions can be 45 minutes - it is not a session to *do* the work but to identify the work, the resources needed, the timelines, who else should be contacted, and so on. I have done one and I have also done two rounds of action planning sessions just before closing circle. I love the way that re-opening the space invites any action to have a champion, whether it is one passionate person or a whole group. It supports the same values of the main Open Space sessions - that any ideas are worthy and that anyone can make a difference, and that anything is possible. I like to give the most time for open space sessions before action planning. I understand the intention and experience of those of you who use storytelling before opening space and I know it has been very successful - it is not something I do because I find that the Open Space also invites the stories. I have also found that in those events where you cannot print up a Book of Proceedings before action planning time, the group seems to get enough data from the original (or xerox-enlarged) notes people took from the sessions that are posted up on the wall as the Open Space goes along. I look forward to hearing everyone else's ideas and experiences and thank you Thomas for inviting the sharing, Lisa ___________________________ L i s a H e f t Consultant, Facilitator, Educator O p e n i n g S p a c e <mailto:lisah...@openingspace.net> lisah...@openingspace.net <http://www.openingspace.net> www.openingspace.net * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
