wohlert wrote:
> Could you speak a little more about open space events, i.e., their
> origins, purpose, techniques, outcomes, how they are similar/different
> from other types of "learning" activities?
Hi, Kathy--
I'll try (and those other OS practitioners out there--please chime in with
your contributions!).
Open Space (OS) is the result of an insightful Harrison Owen, who noticed
a natural human tendency to gather in informal, networking circles during
breaks in more formal events that he was facilitating. Harrison created a
methodology which strengthened the opportunity to act autonomously within
a meeting environment, which he called Open Space (and later, someone
added the word "technology" to the process).
Although Open Space is about learning, it's design contributes to
decision-making through (what I call) deep conversation, autonomy,
responsibility, learning, accountability and connectivity. The
significant difference between Open Space and other forms of meetings is
that the participants set and create discourse over the agenda -- not the
facilitators or conveners. The conveners ask the "framing question,"
frequently with the help of a skilled practitioner. The facilitators
"open the space" by invoking the spirit of working autonomously,
responsibly, and by providing the law and principles of open space. (A
lot of this opening includes telling people to "let go" of various mental
models).
Here is an extract from an outline, written by either Anne Stadler or Peg
Holman (I think)--it explains in a very succinct way the answers to most
of your questions.
DOING AN OPEN SPACE: A TWO PAGE PRIMER
WHAT IS OPEN SPACE?
It is a self-organizing way of facilitating communication/action which
supports the inherent creativity and leadership in people.
WHEN TO USE IT:
Where conflict is holding back the ability to change
Where the situation is complex
Where there is a high degree of diversity
Where there is an urgent need to make speedy decisions
Where all stakeholders are needed for good decisions to be made
Where you have no preconceived notion of what the outcomes should be
PROBABLE OUTCOMES:
Builds energy, commitment and shared leadership
Participants accept responsibility for what does or doesn't happen
Action plans and recommendations emerge from discussions as appropriate
You create a record of the entire proceedings as you go along
HOW IT WORKS:
The Law of Two Feet means you take responsibility for what you care about
-- standing up for that and using your own two feet to move to whatever
place you can best contribute and/or learn.
Four principles apply to how you navigate in open space:
Whoever comes is the right people (Whoever is attracted to the same
discussion are the people who can contribute most to that discussion
because they really care.)
Whatever happens is the only thing that could've (We are all limited by
our own pasts and expectations. This principle acknowledges we'll all do
our best, in the present time and place, and not worry about what could've
or should've happened.)
When it starts is the right time (The creative spirit has its own time,
and our task is to make our best contribution and enter the flow of
creativity when it starts.)
When it's over, it's over (Creativity has its own rhythm. So do groups.
Just a reminder to pay attention to the flow of creativity -- not the
clock. When you think it is over, ask: Is it over? And if it is, go on to
the next thing you have passion for.)
HOW OPEN SPACE WORKS WHEN THERE IS CONFLICT:
The Law of Two Feet gives participants freedom to move at any time to a
discussion they care about. The result is that if a viewpoint is held
strongly by one person who is dominating the group, people who feel left
out are free to leave. Now there is an opening for learning on all sides
and reconvening later on if there is a desire to continue the discussion.
Sometimes there are differences in power and authority. Open Space levels
the playing field so people who do not normally have an opportunity to
talk with each other can meet around their shared passions.
GROUP SIZE:
To date, we know that Open Space accommodates groups from 5 to 1000
people. It can be run for a couple of hours to 3 or more days;
consecutively or over time; at one site or at multiple sites connected by
computer and/or phone and video. The longer it runs, the more learning and
depth happens.
THE STEPS IN BRIEF:
1.Select a focusing statement or theme for your gathering. It should
frame the largest context for your discussion in a positive way.
2.Invite the people: all stakeholders or all the people you'd like to
have in the room. Include the theme, date, place and time of gathering in
the invitation.
3.Create the space: Set up chairs in a circle or in concentric circles,
leaving space in the center. Choose a blank wall for the Agenda Wall and
label it AGENDA: AM, PM across the top. Set up a table for computers near
a wall you label NEWS. Put blank sheets of news print (about quarter size
of a flip chart page) and colored felt pens in the center of the circle.
Near the Agenda Wall and the News Wall put masking tape to post papers on
the walls.
4.To begin the gathering: Facilitator explains: the theme, the simple
process the group will follow to organize and create a record, where to
put things up and find out what is happening, the Law of Two Feet, and the
Principles of Open Space.
5.Then the Facilitator invites anyone who cares about an issue to step
into the middle of the circle and write the topic, their name, a time and
place for meeting, announce it and post the offering on the Agenda Wall --
one sheet per topic. They will be convenors who have responsibility for
facilitating their session(s) and seeing to it that a report is made and
shared on the News Wall.
6.When ALL offerings are concluded, the Facilitator invites people to
sign up for what they are interested in and take responsibility for their
schedules, using the Law of Two Feet.
7.People participate in discussions. The Facilitator takes care of the
space. Reporters enter discussion reports in the computers and printouts
are posted on the News Wall.
8.Closing: all reconvene an hour before closing to share highlights,
"ahas" and key learnings in a Dialogue format: simply listening to
whatever people have to offer without discussion. You can pass a "talking
stick" for each person to hold as he/she is talking, or to pass along if
the person doesn't want to speak.
9.Mail out whatever record is created and an address list to all who
came.
------------
here are 2 websites that provide a wealth of information and resources:
The Global Open Space Institute:
<http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/9215/>
and the Open Space Institute: <http://www.tmn.com/openspace/>
Each site includes OS activities that are happening throughout the world.
I encourage you to participate in an OS meeting. You will be ready to
facilitate your own OS event after that!
walk in peace,
Doc
-- Sitting quietly doing nothing spring comes and the grass grows by itself. -Zen PoemThresholds--developing critical skills for living organizations Richard C. "Doc" Holloway Olympia, WA ICQ# 10849650 Please visit our new website, still at <http://www.thresholds.com/> <mailto:learnshops@thresholds.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>