Reinhard, Thanks so much for sharing this story. OS process is truly a practical and effective means to touch the spirit even when human hopes are shattered. Congratulations to you for your good work.
Bev McCarthy Ashford Group, Inc. 7398 St. Ives Place West Chester, Ohio 45069 USA beve...@ashfordgroup.com -----Original Message----- From: Reinhard Frommann <fromm...@dialup.nacamar.de> To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu <osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu> Date: Wednesday, August 02, 2000 2:28 AM Subject: Dismissed employees of the RED CROSS decide to do a Open Space The Red Cross main office of Berlin has had financial problems since 1997. (Triggered by years of mismanagement) The financial loss summed up to approximately 50 mill $ The Banks pressured the management to put up a plan to cut down the operational cost. A big international consulting company was called in they found out that 80% of the operational cost is located to the employees. Management decided to dismiss 300 employees. The factory committee (Betriebsrat) negotiated a social plan for the dismissed employees with the Red Cross management. A group of dismissed employees stepped out with there disappointment of the dismissal process. What they wanted was: · A dignified and respected farewell to there former workplace · More then the technical feeling of going away · Room for bad feeling and talk with dismissed colleges · Room for new personal goals · Broad information What to do · A ritual to leave a work place after being there from up to 25 years The group of dismissed employees asked me if I would help them with the facilitating of an Open Space. They posted a invitation: INVITATION For you as a dismissed employee to attend a Open Space What does it mean? Open Space is a method to give large groups a space to talk about change. Are theme is SAY GOODBYE AND START SOMETHINGE NEW You have the room and space to contribute your theme What is it? A possibility to talk to other dismissed colleges: About you situation Take a critical look at your past working for the Red Cross Give space for your feeling Figure out action points together in a group Think about you future Who had the idea? A group of dismissed employees who wanted a space for exchange When will it take place? 13. July from 10:00-16:00 14 July from 9:00-15:00 House C 3, 3 Floor Who can come? All dismissed employees if they want to Food and beverages? We will supply soft drinks. Please bring along food The Open Space took place as planed. There were approximately 60 participants from all ranks, working together in 10 different groups. After the Open Space people were very positive about the process they experienced. 15 Participants decided to open up there own business. Reinhard Frommann GOE Gesellschaft für Organisationsentwicklung Berlin/Brandenburg e. V. The German O. D. Network Reinhard Frommann Nestorstraße 1 110711 Berlin Germany Telefon: 0049 30 327 08 650 Fax: 0049 30 327 08 651 Handy: 0049 172 322 45 83 E-Mail fromm...@dialup.nacamar.de ________________________________________________________ * * ===================osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html ==================== osl...@egroups.com To subscribe, 1. Visit: http://www.egroups.com/group/oslist 2. Sign up -- provide an email address, and choose a login ID and password 3. Click on "Subscribe" and follow the instructions To unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@egroups.com: 1. Visit: http://www.egroups.com/group/oslist 2. Sign in and Proceed