Dear all, I sent this letter Saturday but it got stuck as I had added a photo to it, but here it is again:
There is only one open space that will be the first, even if all of them certainly will be unique. Since I facilitated my first open space last weekend March 23-24, I thought to write something about it. I find this email list both generous and helpful, and I admire the way you're all supporting each other. In any case, here is my little peanut of a contribution to the OSList bowl. I held the open space at the Hare Krishna farm/village community in Sweden (Järna), which hosts around 35 adults and 30 kids (most of them below 10!). There are mostly independent families with kids living there. I had suggested to them that they try OS. A few of them got it immediately, but there was some scepticism as they suffer from quite some meeting-fatigue . Some desired we hold it around the spring equinox and an astrologer pointed out the weekend after as excellent, if we could start on the Friday. Considering people's work commitments, that they are early risers, the children, we decided to hold a short inauguration of the meetings in the evening instead of starting the OS or doing some storytelling. They arranged for some recitation of mantras and chanting, and the children led a big part of it. They were so good! We also had some food, and the whole thing was really appreciated. The main challenge for the community in regards to the meeting was to engage the children so that the parents could attend. In the end they sorted something out by themselves (as is of course the best). By the end of the weekend (it was a 1 1/2 day event) they were surprised of how relaxed the meetings were while being very efficient. They experienced how OS got them into a collaborative instead of an adversarial mood, and had a really good time. They would like to continue the process. They also noticed who did not come and started to think more deeply about who feels included and who does not. It's nice to see how OS creates the clarity needed for action. Some learnings/reflections: We did one hour sessions, which was too short for some topics. Next we time we could use 1 1/2hrs per session. Anyone having experiences of mixing the length of time, like using 1 1/2 hr sessions in the morning and 1hr sessions in the afternoon? I could do a better introduction. I didn't prepare enough, and what I had prepared was in English - and had to switch to Swedish on the spot. I think simplicity really is the key, and getting out of the way. :) One person took the opportunity to organise a meeting demanding parents attendance. I let that go, as they were discussing an important topic for them. He also organised another one like that, but this time people voted with their feet. I should have been more alert to this. In the end, some kids sat by me drawing, and one started to come up with his own topics. I then gave them a part of the wall and asked what they wanted and they came up with really good stuff. I think they were really pleased to be asked. They wanted e.g. a more quiet temple room and less running around in it, which surprised me as they usually are the cause to the cacophony. It was a great learning, both in terms of how kids can do OS quite effectively, and how it's so much better to create the ground rules together than dictating them. And as someone told me afterwards, the 'cause' of a problem should be included in solving it as they are the experts in it. I hope you're well. We're getting some snow tomorrow in Stockholm, but are still keeping our hopes for spring alive! Happy Easter! Best wishes, Marie Ann Östlund PS. A few pictures of the weekend: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150663955813785.392314.730693784&type=3&l=29b6f85440 _______________________________________________ OSList mailing list To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
