Dear Marty,
there is a neat DVD of ho and me facilitating that huge OS in Wuerzburg,
it also shows the balloons, of course. If you like, I can send you one
(cost is about 25 Euros including shipping).
Erich Kolenaty has a photostory with lots of details on his website,
here is the direct link
http://transformation.at/documents/OS_Wuerzburg_minimized.pdf
Note also, that we used 2000+ flat pillows rather than chairs.
As far as labeling breakout spaces:
-one can use symbols, cities, etc when you have no more than a dozen
breakout spaces
-if there are more than a dozen or so, use numbers, the other stuff is
too hard to find (in Wuerzburg we started out with 60 spaces, thinking
that there certainly would be no more than 180 issues - there were three
starting times - but had 230+ issues...there was no problem in blowing
up some more balloons, numbering them, tying sandsacks to them,
etc....the spaces were arranged somewhat orderly so that people could
see, ok, it starts here and if we move over here the numbers go up,
etc., but within a very short time it was chaotic people moving their
spaces...and everybody found their selforganized way)
-when using symbols etc. be careful to find something as "neutral" as
possible, its amazing how much people "interpret" into why such and such
a space has such and such a name, symbol, or whatever...but numbers are
also symbols!
Greetings from Berlin
mmp
Martin Boroson wrote:
Harrison
Thanks for the tip about helium. (The only thing I like more than balloons,
is balloons filled with helium!)
Now you've given me a way to sell this to clients: By using helium
balloons, groups can gather in one place but move to another, taking their
balloons with them. They can combine with other groups. And we can see it
all happening up above.
Marty
_____
From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Harrison
Owen
Sent: 19 April 2008 20:40
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Subject: Re: beyond balloons
I am not sure that there is anything beyond balloons. For me they are the
ultimate! Of course, I might be prejudicially partial, but then again I was
introduced to the whole matter by a master. You will recall the gathering of
2108 German Psychiatrists which Michael Pannwitz and I facilitated several
years ago. It took place in the town of Wurzburg (sp?), and because Michael
was closer (Berlin) he took responsibility for logistics.
The town of Wurzburg is a lovely place, and has a most delightful convention
center. Unfortunately the main hall was not of sufficient size to handle an
Open Space of record proportions. The solution was brilliant! Two circus
tents in an open field! So we had the space, but also a problem. How do you
designate break out areas for what turned out to be 236 groups? Of course
you could put signs around the edges, but tent walls tend to be rather low
and all the people would be mushed on the outside. Michael came up with a
winner. Helium filled balloons tied to a sack of sand, each bearing a
special number. Just imagine a large circus tent with 236 colored balloons
dancing all over the floor. And it got better.
If posting breakout space designations was a problem - how would you handle
the essential signs (Principles and Law) to say nothing of Butterflies and
Bumble Bees? Michael came through gloriously. Each sign was taped to a thin
stick to which were attached half a dozen balloons. Let loose, they floated
elegantly about the tent. And much more of the same with the Bumble Bees and
Butterflies! Lots and lots - floating free!
It was just beautiful - some might even think odd - or crazy. But we had no
worries. After all we had 2108 Psychiatrists in attendance.
Harrison
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, Maryland 20854
Phone 301-365-2093
Skype hhowen
Open Space Training <http://www.openspaceworld.com/> www.openspaceworld.com
Open Space Institute <http://www.openspaceworld.org/>
www.openspaceworld.org
Personal website <http://www.ho-image.com/> www.ho-image.com
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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Martin
Boroson
Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 1:46 PM
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Subject: beyond balloons
Hello all
I'd love to know what you use to designate breakout spaces in a large
conference room.
I've been using bunches of balloons, taped to the wall (and then referring
to the red, blue, green, yellow areas, etc.).
I am indeed very partial to balloons.
But not every client wants the room to look like a circus - at the outset,
anyway. :)
Marty
Michael M Pannwitz, boscop eg
Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany
++49-30-772 8000
mmpa...@boscop.org
www.boscop.org
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