Dear Diane,
T's story made my day, goosebumps and all!
Greetings from Berlin
mmp
On 16.02.2015 22:54, Diana Larsen via OSList wrote:
Hi all,
Last week, we held the 7th annual Agile Open Northwest conference in
Portland Oregon.
*The Facts: *
*/Theme:/* Agile Vision for Agile Practitioners
*/Duration: /*2.5+ days (+ represents holding the closing activities
after lunch on the third day)
*/Registration: /*246 people registered including organizers,
volunteers, sponsor representatives, attendees, etc.
*/Circle Set-up:/* 3 concentric rows (inner 60, middle 70, outer 80)
about 60-70 ft (~ 20 m) in diameter
*/Attending:/* ~190 people sat in Opening Circle, others drifted in (or
out) over the course of the event, only a dozen badges had not been
claimed by the end of the conference.
*/Marketplace: /*We posted sessions one day at a time over the three days.
*/Session times:/* 16 over three days - 6 on Day 1, 7 on Day 2, 3 on Day 3
*/Sessions possible:/* 208 + more outside pre-arranged times or spaces
*/Sessions held:/* ~140
*/Session spaces: /*13 (9-11 were filled during any one session time,
fewer in the evenings and early morning)
*Session length:* 60 minutes + 10 minutes to move between sessions
*/Location:/* http://leftbankannex.com Converted aeronautic
machined-parts manufacturing shop, 14,000 sq ft on two floors with a
mezzanine. Lots of concrete, metal, windows, and vast empty space
repurposed for events. Very industrial chic and highly configurable. The
event coming in the day after ours was a huge Bar Mitzvah.
*/Experiments: /*We tried it with a “crew” of OS facilitators, so
everyone could attend sessions, secure in the knowledge that someone(s)
somewhere was attending to the space holding needs. It mostly worked,
there are a few aspects of this I’d change. Harold Shinsato was one of
the crew members. He may have more to say (or not).
*/My role:/* Organizer of the OS crew, participant, bumblebee,
butterfly, board member.
*The best part: *
On the last day, I brought my 4-year-old grand-daughter, T. She had been
on the exploratory visit last fall when the co-chairs chose the
facility, and I thought she’d like to see it all decked out for the
event. Also, her Mom needed time to do a few things that are made
difficult with a 4 y/o in tow. I feel blessed that I knew bringing her
wouldn’t cause a moment’s concern to any of the other board members,
chairs, or organizers. What a great community!
T was interested and a little overwhelmed. I’m not sure she’s ever been
with such a large group before. She spent most of the day shyly curious
and quietly observing, getting her bearings. The buffet breakfast was a
treat for he, so the day started well. She sat intent through "morning
announcements” as member of the OS crew welcomed everyone to the third
day and facilitated additions to the marketplace. She attended three
sessions and butterflied during the two session times before lunch.
She was fascinated by the lunch break with many tables of 8 people
locked in deep discussions. “What are those people doing?” We explained
the delight of being able to talk about something you care about with
other people who care as deeply…people that you might not otherwise see
often. T considered this for a moment, then nodded her affirmation.
We moved to the closing. She and i found chairs in the circle, as a
facilitator started it off, asking about sessions attended, giving
participants time to announce actions going forward, etc. Toward the
end, I asked her father to come sit with her. I needed to move into a
different place in the circle to receive the microphone and close the
conference space.
I had been sitting in my new seat only a few minutes and my colleague
was still facilitating the harvest, when, spontaneously, T began running
around the outside of the circle, defining the space, inadvertently
causing those who were standing outside to move closer into the circle.
Her shoes hit the floor creating a rhythmic tattoo and an energetic
boundary around the community. She made 5 or so circuits. I sat in awe ,
feeling my eyes moisten and goosebumps rise on my skin. Then, it was
time for me to take the microphone.
Walking into the circle, as I accepted the mic and began to say a few
words, I felt her small hand slip lightly into mine. Each person said
their short, last comment and I invited them to stand and look around,
to see who remained and remember those who had to leave earlier. She
continued to walk the circle with me. Together we invited everyone to
turn around and step out into their futures, closing the conference
Completely unprompted, from her own instinct, she provided the perfect
reminder that all we do contributes to the world of future generations.
She was totally present and, in her way, invisible, as she held space
for the very first time.
From a very fortunate Grandma,
Diana
**************
Diana Larsen
http://futureworksconsulting.com
Envisioning a world where everyone at every level of the organization
can say, "I love my work; this is the best job EVER!"
********************
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