For the past 6 years, I have been facilitating the semi-annual, six day board meetings for an international non=profit group. For the meeting coming up, I have been asked to do more of a reatreat format. We probably have about 3 days we can devote to "retreat" type activities, interspersed (or could be contiguous) any time during the six days.
The group is an international membership non-profit organization - the professional group for teachers and practitioners of a healing/spiritual practice. (The Reiki Alliance if you are interested) The group is about 15-18 years old and in the past 5 years has blossomed in membership to about 800 people from all around the world. They are used to handling topics which take lots of deep consideration. At their annual week-long international conference in April, I facilitated an open space for the participants (about 175) part of the time. (I could only get 3 one hour sessions, but we were able to spill over into some free time) So the board members are somewhat familiar with the process. My question is this - there are only 5 board members (plus one exec director,and one newsletter editor.) My experience facilitating about 7-8 OS has been with groups of 100-250 and all in the context of conferences/gatherings. I am having trouble envisioning how the process would be productive for such a small number. The organization is in flux and needs to change. The original director has retired. Many of the "older" members are stepping back from many years of taking volunteer leadership roles. Regional organizations (some affiliated and some not) are becoming more developed. Membership criteria is being questioned. There is a feeling that something new is afoot (maybe even the dissolution of the organization,) but no one can quite grab the essence of it. Any hints from the pros out there who have used Open Space with small groups? Thanks -Betty _________________________________________________________________ Betty Didcoct TIES Consulting be...@ic.org Building TIES between people to phone: 360-221-3064 facilitate better meetings & fax: 360-221-7828 healthier organizations __________________________________________________________________