This fits some of my experience with voluntary events; -It was a long and conceptual theme and may not of represented a real "performance challenge" for the folks -Giving an expert input as to how you wanted the groups to function can close some of the space. You were not just opening but saying "do it this way". It tends to lead participants to think they are not the experts and so they tend not to take the early initiative -It worked because the space was open enought for folks to get into it and find their passion -Diversity helps
Don't know if this helps Larry