this came to me instead of us... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Larry Peterson <la...@spiritedorg.com> Date: Aug 28, 2005 6:17 PM Subject: Re: Themes & topics? To: mher...@globalchicago.net
I strongly agree with Harrison & Michael (I think). Generating a theme for an event that will be powerful has some elements or characteristics. --It is a question that focuses a "possibility" space --It is "appreciative" --It is and is perceived to be a real performance challenge -- not just something someone would like to do --It is something that enough people "want" to deal with, talk about, develop progress on - so that they decided to come and be present. --It is best developed with those who are sponsoring the Open Space. I spend the most important time of planning working with the sponsor to identify a theme for which they have some real passion. Finding the words, at this point, is important. I usually let this happen over more than one planning meeting. I ask the sponsor to test the key ideas with some potential participants to ensure it will evoke energy. The key words of the theme usually emerge until there is an ah ha -- a felt experience that we have it. --If the facilitator is part of the sponsor group, then it really needs to be tested to see if it is meeting folks needs or the facilitators needs. Some quick ideas. Larry Larry Peterson Associates in Transformation Toronto, ON, Canada 416.653.4829 la...@spiritedorg.com www.spiritedorg.com -- Michael Herman Executive Facilitator http://www.michaelherman.com Getting the most important things done, in the easiest possible ways. * * ========================================================== 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