Hello Craig,
I have a few things to add.
2. Actually most spaces in my experience are rectangular rather than
square, meaning either circles with additional chairs on the short
side,
or a double/triple etc ellips.
If it's circles for 110 participants, in my experience that's roughly
50 in the inner, 70 in the outer circle- in the inner more chairs left
out to allow
participants in the outer circle to get to the centre.
If it's ellipses, the difference between outer and inner circle is
smaller as the longer side of the ellips is identical on inner and
outer side.
3. I, too tend to work with 1 hour 15 time slots. However it also
depends on the kind of participants; some groups are faster than
others.
Fast (I am still prepared to be surprised): policemen, doctors/nurses
(surgeons rather than internal medicine/neurology); but also farmers,
web designers and the like.
Slow: researchers, government agencies, NGO's (surprisingly even those
involved in disaster management after the Tsunami in Indonesia
were slow ........
4. I find the issue what question to ask in the closing circle very
interesting. I used to ask to say the most important people had to
say.
Then I had a couple of one day OS's with quite a specific issue, such
as "What are the three strategic options the Board of our hospital
should
investigate further" and I'd ask a more specific question. Seems to
make no difference.
As for time, in my experience when the purpose is clear and the time
available is clear, groups will self-organise to do what they have to
do within
that frame. The more people, the less time and the more consultants
and the like, the more I tend to be precise about purpose, time frame
and
respect for this.
Have a great meeting !!
Gerard Muller
Open Space Institute Denmark
Phone: (+45) 21269621 Skype: openspace1
Mail: g...@openspace.dk
On Oct 22, 2007, at 4:19 PM, Harrison Owen wrote:
Craig -- Happy to be helpful. As for the Practice of Peace – the
edition published by the Human Systems Dynamics Institute is not much
different substantively – but it is certainly a lot prettier and much
better edited.
Harrison
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, Maryland 20854
Phone 301-365-2093
Skype hhowen
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
Personal website www.ho-image.com
OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the
archives Visit: www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of
Craig Gilliam
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 8:39 AM
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Subject: Re: Craig
Harrison:
Thanks for the response. Your thought that grow out of experience
are helpful.
Oh yeah, is the second edition of yourThe Practice of Peace different
from the first printing. I read the first, and it was excellent. I
need to reread it. But instead, I might order the second, and use it
as my reread. Can't seem to get enough of this stuff!!!
Thanks,
Craig
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 07:30:22 -0400
From: hho...@verizon.net
Subject: Re: Craig
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Hi Craig!
1. With approx. 110 people, is your experience best with one large
circle or two concentric circles (keeps it smaller)?
I always go for more space – so if you can make it with one circle,
that would be my choice. However at that point people are a long way
from each other so a mike is essential. A big circle with lots of
space is truly awesome, but you do have to run about a bit in order to
cover it. Are you in good shape?
2. A technical question--If we have to go with two concentric circles
because of space, where I have a beginning number, does any one have
experience as to an estimate as to the number of chairs for the inner
and outer circles? I have done it, but it has been a while. Trying
to remember at what number to begin the experiment as we set up the
circles.
Don’t have a clue. I would start with the outer circle and fill in as
necessary.
3. In the past, I usually go with 1 hour and 15 minute sessions.
This gathering, even though the group is more accustomed to 1 hour
meetings, I am thinking about using the 1 and 1/12 time frame for the
sessions—knowing that when it is over, it is over. Any thoughts on
your experiences about time—when it is a longer gathering like this
one it seems the 1 and ½ sessions could allow more freedom or space.
For whatever it is worth I always go with 1½ hour sessions -- unless
there is a REALY good reason for smaller time slots. It is a lot more
relaxed, particularly if the breakout spaces are spread out all over
the place.
4. With a group of this size, I plan to have Evening News at the end
of each day and a closing news on the last morning. Often, I ask,
What have you learned? Do you suggest staying with that question at
the end of each day or do you suggest something different (In this
gathering, I will have two evening news and one closing news.
Generally, I find the closing news the deepest and longest.)? My
other concern at times is the length of such news with this large
number each evening and on the last morning, but I guess, if they get
bored, they can engage the law of two feet. Any thoughts?
I am a little curious about a “closing news?” First off I always try
and keep my “News” times brief, especially in the morning as folks
want to go to work. Do you mean a “closing session” – which comes at
the end of everything? That for me is the time for reflection and
sharing. The other news spots are more practical. Like lost watches
and wallets, places to go to dinner, etc. Of course if something
deeper wants to come out, it usually does, and you got to give it
space/time. But don’t let it get away from you time wise else people
get tired of it all. If things tend to go on too long, and I can see
that folks are edgy and want to head for the door, I remind them that
the law of two feet is always in operation – and those who need to –
can put one ahead of the other.
Have fun!
Harrison
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, Maryland 20854
Phone 301-365-2093
Skype hhowen
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
Personal website www.ho-image.com
OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the
archives Visit: www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of
Craig Gilliam
Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 9:22 PM
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Subject: Craig
I am getting ready to lead another Open Space. Please excuse the
smallness of these questions, but I continue to evaluate how I do Open
Space, what can I learn, and how can I do it better?
This gathering will start mid-day, have one full day, then another
half-day. My questions are:
1. With approx. 110 people, is your experience best with one large
circle or two concentric circles (keeps it smaller)?
2. A technical question--If we have to go with two concentric circles
because of space, where I have a beginning number, does any one have
experience as to an estimate as to the number of chairs for the inner
and outer circles? I have done it, but it has been a while. Trying
to remember at what number to begin the experiment as we set up the
circles.
3. In the past, I usually go with 1 hour and 15 minute sessions.
This gathering, even though the group is more accustomed to 1 hour
meetings, I am thinking about using the 1 and 1/12 time frame for the
sessions—knowing that when it is over, it is over. Any thoughts on
your experiences about time—when it is a longer gathering like this
one it seems the 1 and ½ sessions could allow more freedom or space.
4. With a group of this size, I plan to have Evening News at the end
of each day and a closing news on the last morning. Often, I ask,
What have you learned? Do you suggest staying with that question at
the end of each day or do you suggest something different (In this
gathering, I will have two evening news and one closing news.
Generally, I find the closing news the deepest and longest.)? My
other concern at times is the length of such news with this large
number each evening and on the last morning, but I guess, if they get
bored, they can engage the law of two feet. Any thoughts?
Always interested in learning from your experiences, and how I might
do what I do better.
Thanks,
Craig
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