Michael, Don't know how much of an OST "purist" you are. I'll "risk" sharing my thoughts anyway...
I have successfully combined the DISCOVERY and/or DREAM phases of Appreciative Inquiry with Open Space on a number of occasions. In your situation, having pairs engage for an hour in appreciative interviews in which they share stories about school experiences and learnings which have energized and impacted their lives might bring everyone to the same level of connection and excitement about possibilities based on what already is working and diminish the "we/they" syndrome to which you alluded. The interviews could be followed by small groups sharing and emerging the themes, which could serve as "brain and soul food" for the open space topics. At any rate, I wish you good happenings at your event. BJ ************************************** We must be the change we seek in the world." Gandhi ************************************** BJ Peters Consultant, Facilitator, Coach, Trainer 6523 N 14th Street #112 Phoenix AZ 85014-1458 602 279 4805 Home/Office 602 279 4806 FAX bjpet...@amug.org