Name really is important. I usually do a bit about being just like Mrs. Smith
in the 3rd grade -- no name on the paper, no credit! Always with a smile. And
when I catch the first perpetrator (nameless) -- still with a smile, but very
seriously. Doing it from the center of the circle adds something I think. It is
all about YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!
Harrison
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Dr.
Potomac, MD 20854
USA
301-365-2093
207-763-3261 (summer)
website www.openspaceworld.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Christine Whitney Sanchez
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 6:15 PM
Subject: Re: Timing for really large groups
It is strange and wonderful, Harrison. Quite the mystery that no matter how
large the group, opening the space takes about the same amount of time.
Thanks for the tip to break in with a smile for the no speeches reminder.
Wish I had that hat of yours to lend the right tone :-)
And yes, their NAME. In my own experience as a participant, I sometimes
forget the topic but do remember who posed it, especially if I happen to know
the folks in the room.
We will have several good folks available at the marketplace wall to remind
people to put their names on their topic and to please, smile, take their
seats. Which reminds me, in a group this size, once the negotiating of
time/space is complete, did you suggest that participants indicate the sessions
they are intending to attend by writing their name on the topic sheet?
Christine
Christine Whitney Sanchez
Triune Milagro, LTD
480.759.0262
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.triunemilagro.com
Invoking the wisdom and capacity of the human spirit!
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu]On Behalf Of Harrison
Owen
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 4:04 AM
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Subject: Re: Timing for really large groups
I have found it strange (and wonderful) that no matter the size of the
group it always seem to take about 1 and 1/2 hours from start to the convening
of the first sessions. However when you are dealing with really large groups
(and you are) you really have to keep the issue announcement process moving
along. To do that I have found several things useful. First make it crystal
clear at the start that ALL you want is The issue and the name. NO SPEECHES.
And when the first participant breaks into a speech, even a small one, break in
with a smile and say, No speeches. The second thing, which will enable you to
break in easily, is use a hand held mike and don't let go of it. You become the
microphone stand, a fitting role for the facilitator. The idea of having a
large screen with the issues projected is an interesting one. I have thought of
it before, but never had the chance to try. Sounds like a good opportunity for
an experiment. But even with a screen, I would be very careful that people can
really HEAR the issues called out. If somebody talks too softly or too fast, I
invite them to say it over again. And don't forget to make sure that they have
their names on the papers. Things can get pretty crowded at the microphone, and
it is easy to lose track. But the NAME is important. Lastly, on the subject of
being able to hear -- ambient noise can be a problem with a large group. People
tend to go to the Wall, stay there and talk. One or two folks won't make that
much difference, but once it starts, it is very hard to turn around. A few
reminders from you will help (another reason to keep you hands on the mike.)
Also stationing a few associates at to wall who can gently invite people to
take their seats is a very good idea.
As for reports -- how about several computer areas -- and network them with
wifi??
Good luck.
Harrison
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Dr.
Potomac, MD 20854
USA
301-365-2093
207-763-3261 (summer)
website www.openspaceworld.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Christine Whitney Sanchez
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2005 5:23 PM
Subject: Timing for really large groups
Hi All,
Apropos to the wonderful thread about the combination of OST with World
Cafe or any other method, Claudia Haack and I, along with a dedicated design
team and a multitude of volunteers, are preparing for the 2005 Girl Scout
National Convention.
On October 7, Claudia and I will open the space for up to 2,000 National
Council Delegates around the topic of governance. And for the other 10,000 or
so convention participants, "Strategy Cafes" will be open for business
throughout the 3 day convention. In this case, it's not so much a blend of the
methods, but rather using two different methods for two different purposes.
Regarding the Open Space, we are at the stage where we need to finalize
some of the physical/logistics plans that will involve the convention center
and we have a few questions about what you would do (or have done for those of
you who have facilitated really large events).
~ With a group this size, is there anything you would do to expedite the
marketplace? There will be 3 session times available. We open the space at
8:30. The first breakout session begins at 10:15 or whenever it starts.
~ What is your guess for how long the marketplace will take? Harrison,
you just said - From a standing start -- just sitting in a circle -- to active
engagement in something like 15-20 minutes. People rushing to the center of the
circle to announce their issues, and everybody else listening hard and figuring
out what additional issues need to be raised in order to meet their own needs.
That burst of activity might last 30-40 minutes, followed by another 20 minutes
of total ordered chaos in the Market place -- and it is off to work -- usually
with sufficient time for a cup of coffee, restroom break, or phone call. Did
you, Michael Pannwitz and company find this timing to hold in the Germany 2,000
person event?
~ We have the capability to hang one large screen on the same side of
the room as the marketplace wall. Do you see any value in projecting the
session topics & times on this screen (as was done in Phx, Harrison)?
~ Because the physical distances in this convention center are so vast,
it isn't feasible for most people to travel from the breakouts, back to the
plenary room to input their reports. So far, it looks like we have spotty
wireless capabilities. Any suggestions about how and where to place the
computers?
Thanks in advance for your ideas!
Christine Whitney Sanchez
480.759.0262
2717 E. Mountain Sky Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85048-8990
Claudia Haack
608.209.6768
606 Orchard Drive
Madison, WI 53711
Triune Milagro, LTD
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.triunemilagro.com
Invoking the wisdom and capacity of the human spirit!
* * ==========================================================
osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe,
unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of
osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about
OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
* * ==========================================================
osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe,
unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of
osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about
OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
* * ==========================================================
osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe,
unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of
osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about
OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
*
*
==========================================================
osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
