Good job, Carms!

And Artur, I am very sad. Because I love it so much when you disagree with me… 
;o)

Abrazos, 
Lisa




On Sep 23, 2013, at 5:20 PM, Carmela Ariza <[email protected]> wrote:

> 
> Yes Lisa I remember saying in the opening circle that it is time to think 
> outside the box. Then I continued to say: who says there is a box anyway? I 
> got some participants chuckling at this. It was a good open space which 
> participants truly found very different from what they are used to. Carms 
> 
> 
> 
> Hi Jamie:
> 
> I am completelly in agreeement with Lisa (this time ;-)
> 
> Artur

> From: Lisa Heft <[email protected]>; 
> To: World wide Open Space Technology email list 
> <[email protected]>; 
> Subject: Re: [OSList] Open Space in schools 
> Sent: Mon, Sep 23, 2013 5:12:41 PM 
> 
> Jamie - in my experience, any speeches (longer than 'thanks for coming, we're 
> so excited, here's your facilitator let's get to work') 
> 
> In saying this - I know there are also cultural and regional traditions. 
> However, having people speak too much at the start… 
> 
> - starts putting the body to rest - when actually in Open Space we want 
> active, breathing, energy-to-jump-into-the-center-with-topics
> - sets in some people's heads a pre-determined thought, thus reducing the 
> possibility for different, emergent, outlier, diverse thinking as inspired by 
> the theme question
> - speeches are oh-so-often only listened to by the person giving that speech 
> ;o) - other people are in their heads going 'what's this circle?' 'what shall 
> I propose as a topic?' 'how do I feel?' 'what is this going to be like?'
> - even if the speaker is charismatic, is not behind a podium, is physical and 
> walking that circle - people listening are still shifting into receiving 
> thought rather than creating / inviting / experiencing it.
> - takes time away from actually getting to the work at hand. The more time 
> for dialogue and interchange, the richer, the deeper the thoughts and 
> conversations, and the more time given to participants to start noticing 
> common threads and linkages across the day.
> 
> The other thing is that for any kind of facilitation, I would not name 
> boundaries or constraints. It sets peoples' minds in the framework of 
> boundaries and constraints - rather than opportunities and possibilities.
> Like 'think outside the box' - you are still thinking…of the box! when / 
> because someone says that. 
> 
> If there is anything that is 'off the table' such as 'we are all here to 
> think of things that do not cost money' simply say that in your beautifully 
> constructed theme question. The theme is the task, and the thing that invites 
> topics. So if the theme included '…with zero money but with other amazing 
> shared resources…' If you have to. Often you do not have to say anything is 
> 'off the plate' - you just open by making sure the participants know whether 
> they are advisory or decisionary in this meeting. Ideas where someone 
> originally assumed there was money (let's say that is one of the boundaries) 
> can always be revisited for 'what other kinds of existing resources do  we 
> have to help this amazing breakthrough idea happen?' in another part of the 
> meeting, after the meeting, however the meeting is designed.
> 
> So I also encourage - if anything more than a moment must be said - to do it 
> the evening before, perhaps.  Separate it from the Open Space. Say less. 
> Invite more. Let them jump into that space!
> 
> Lisa
> 
> 
> On Sep 23, 2013, at 4:03 AM, Jamie Colston <[email protected]> 
> wrote:
> 
>> Dear All,
>> 
>> I have been working with a Secondary school in the UK to support students to 
>> develop their school council into something which gives them a real voice in 
>> their school and supports them to make things happen. As part of this 
>> process, in the last academic year I ran some world cafe sessions with 
>> Students, Teachers and the School Leadership Team and Governors to find out 
>> more about their views of the student council and what they would like to 
>> see in the future. 
>> 
>> This work has led to a year long contract to help build on this and I am 
>> bringing together all of the Art of Hosting work to support the students to 
>> build something emergent and powerful that inculdes the full school system. 
>> In the next few weeks the school will be having their very first open space 
>> meeting with members of as many of the various parts of the system there as 
>> possible. 
>> 
>> For the opening of the open space I was planning to do a context setting 
>> piece for everyone and invite the headteacher, leader of the governors and 
>> the school council leadership team to just say a few words about the 
>> boundaries that are there in terms of the academic and governance structures 
>> so that everyone can be clear about what is possible and what isn't within 
>> the constraints of the current system. I would them set up the open space 
>> and ensure that the talking ends on a creative and upbeat note.
>> 
>> I would love any advice, thoughts and feedback. In my mind i think that to 
>> keep it as open as possible is important and what has constantly been a 
>> theme in all the pre work is working within the context of the 
>> political/technical/academic landscape (they would not phrase it like this 
>> but this sums it up).
>> 
>> If this year works, it is likely that I will be able to work for further 
>> years bringing open space, world cafe, graphic facilitation and AOH into the 
>> school as a key methodology for empowering change in the system so it is 
>> very exciting and hence why advice and wisdom is most welcome. 
>> 
>> Thanks and look forward to hearing any inspiration
>> 
>> Jamie 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Jamie Colston
>> Enabling young people to design inspiring events and host conversations that 
>> matter to them, empowering them to find their voice and take practical 
>> action towards creating a sustainable, peaceful and equitable world.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> M: 07909 442006 E: [email protected]
>> 
>> FB/Linked In/Skype: Jamie Colston  Twitter: spearthwarrior
>> 
>> 
>> Nowhere ecl  www.now-here.com/ecl
>> 
>> Green Vision Movement  www.greenvisionmovement.org
>> 
>> 
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