A wee story of Last year at a 200-participant (tables of 8) conference, myself and a colleague Peter Wilde (with the blessing of the organisers) offered an 'alternative' space to the mainstream process.
We introduced the notion of 'self-organising' conversations at the beginning of the conference and set up a 'market place' for offering/requesting conversations during the breaks and alongside the afternoon pre-planned workshop sessions. The market place was on a wall in the main meeting area and people were invited to go along at anytime and post their topic, indicating where they would meet to host their conversations. Needless to say, these conversations started at the right time, at the right place and continued until they were over... It was a practical way to provide meeting spaces for those who wished to connect with others - and it worked. Cheers Brendan On 12/11/2014, at 4:37 PM, Jeff Aitken via OSList wrote: > I remember that story Michael! Some year afterward, John Abbe came > south from Eugene and we cofacilitated a two day 'recent changes camp' > outside and inside of the Social Text offices in Palo Alto. Folks from > Europe were there too. > > Jeff > > On 11/11/14, Michael Herman via OSList <oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: >> first, to paul, yes i've definitely done as you say. was a very small >> group of us, not a conference but a "team meeting" held too late in the day >> and made everyone ripe for some harmless mutiny. i led the charge or made >> the suggestion, and the next day we did the team meeting in open space. we >> put up 8 issues, discussed only 3, and the next weekly meeting looked like >> all the previous ones, except that the team leader's agenda was really just >> an ongoing updating of our original 8 issues, which were the answer to "how >> do we get this project finished successfully?" mission accomplished. >> >> next, to the main question... >> >> some years ago, ted ernst (who some here will remember) and some other >> friends got excited about wiki websites. they met up in portland, drove to >> seattle to pick up others, then drove all the way to san diego, using >> *part* of the minivan windshield as an open space bulletin board, >> discussing all the way, to a symposium called wikisym. >> >> when they got there, this merry band made themselves stickers that said >> "ask me about open space." as they met folks, they told the story and made >> more stickers. pretty soon everyone knew about open space, a bulletin >> board was created on a wall in a hallway, sessions went up and started >> happening. the conference organizers came to the merry band and asked them >> nicely not to wreck the conference. since wrecking was not the intention, >> it was all worked out. >> >> part of that is that the organizers asked ted to facilitate open space at >> the next symposium and make it official, so to speak. another part was >> that some of the merry band, having been teased by these first attempts, >> wanted to see what happened in a full-blown 2.5 days. so they organized >> "recent changes camp" which itself sparked a bunch of other gatherings. >> >> gerard muller can maybe say more about the follow-on from the wikisym in >> open space, as it was in denmark or nearby and i think he ended up working >> with ted on that one. >> >> m >> >> >> -- >> >> Michael Herman >> Michael Herman Associates >> 312-280-7838 (mobile) >> >> http://MichaelHerman.com >> http://OpenSpaceWorld.org >> >> >> On Tue, Nov 11, 2014 at 9:32 PM, John Baxter via OSList < >> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: >> >>> I hosted an 'Elephants' Gathering' at a conference once upon a time. >>> >>> I knew there were people there I wanted to talk to, but the program was >>> of >>> little interest. >>> >>> I didn't try to compete with the mainstream agenda, I put it in the >>> evening. >>> >>> Nobody had any intent on the formalities of Open Space, but it was indeed >>> an open space, and the right people came (far less than I thought would >>> come, but all the ones I wanted to talk to!). >>> >>> Someone (Eisenstein?) wrote a post recently, I think posted here, about >>> trying to subvert the structure of a conference and being beaten down. >>> My >>> interpretation of events obviously... >>> >>> The right people can always be found in the cracks (at the bar, the >>> coffee >>> station etc). Some of them might need an invitation. >>> >>> I don't think it's appropriate to force Open Space on the others in a >>> gathering who have little interest. >>> Good on anyone that makes the call that Open Space is right for everyone >>> and goes with it. But I fear that may likely more driven by ego than >>> care >>> (e.g the above dramatisation). >>> >>> Good discussion! >>> >>> >>> *John Baxter* >>> *Cocreation Consultant & CoCreate Adelaide Facilitator* >>> CoCreateADL.com <http://cocreateadl.com/localgov%E2%80%8B> | >>> jsbaxter.com.au <http://www.jsbaxter.com.au/> >>> 0405 447 829 >>> | >>> @jsbaxter_ <http://twitter.com/jsbaxter_> >>> >>> *Thank you to everyone who came, helped or spread the good word about >>> City >>> Grill!* >>> *Summary and links: cocreateadl.com/localgov/grill-summary >>> <http://cocreateadl.com/localgov/grill-summary>* >>> >>> >>> On Wed, Nov 12, 2014 at 1:55 PM, Skye Hirst via OSList < >>> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: >>> >>>> yeah, indeed flash mob Open Space always a great possibility. Thanks, >>>> Skye >>>> >>>> On Tue, Nov 11, 2014 at 4:09 PM, Royle, Karl via OSList < >>>> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Great! >>>>> >>>>> Sent by iPhone >>>>> Karl Royle >>>>> Head of Enterprise and Commercial Development >>>>> >>>>> Faculty of Education Health and Wellbeing >>>>> University of Wolverhampton >>>>> 01902323006 >>>>> 07815416698 >>>>> @karlroyle. On Twitter >>>>> Karlr61 Skype >>>>> Www.academia.edu/karlroyle >>>>> >>>>> On 11 Nov 2014, at 20:51, "paul levy via OSList" < >>>>> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> <http://rationalmadness.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/w3.jpg> >>>>> >>>>> I wonder if anyone reading this has experiences to share of what I am >>>>> about to describe. Most published stories of open space tend to go by >>>>> the >>>>> book. The book is often referred to as the *user * >>>>> <http://www.openspaceworld.com/users_guide.htm>*guide* >>>>> <http://www.openspaceworld.com/users_guide.htm>“, and it tends towards >>>>> a process that is largely based on an* instruction manual* >>>>> <http://elementaleducation.com/wp-content/uploads/temp/OpenSpaceTechnology--UsersGuide.pdf>. >>>>> Dogmatic application manual can then lead, in my humble opinion, not to >>>>> one >>>>> less thing to do, but often one more thing to do. These are “guides” >>>>> not >>>>> rules, and that is the spirit in which they were written. In many >>>>> cases, >>>>> the user guide proves remarkably resilient and applicable. Yet there is >>>>> always the next moment, the new story, the moment that needs something >>>>> playful. >>>>> >>>>> There’s a lot in the manual (and the many trainings that have come into >>>>> being from it) about sponsors and invitations, and the things that need >>>>> to >>>>> be done before an Open Space to ensure the open spacer er… opens space. >>>>> I >>>>> have no difficulty with the manual. It’s full of good advice and is the >>>>> foundation you might just need to open some space. But, hey, what about >>>>> this… I’m at a company away day that is looking at product innovation. >>>>> It >>>>> is business critical, and it is floundering. Powerpoint after >>>>> Powerpoint >>>>> has resulted in a stifled audience, and when they get to breakout >>>>> sessions, >>>>> the flipcharts look empty, the energy is low, and it all looks a bit >>>>> too >>>>> quiet. There’s a feeling in the room that the event is dying on its >>>>> feet. >>>>> Several sessions are lost in badly facilitated action planning. I am on >>>>> the >>>>> team and the lead facilitator looks to me for any ideas. It must be >>>>> because >>>>> I am silent and looking knowing and wise. >>>>> >>>>> Actually I’m seething inside at this over-facilitated, over-designed, >>>>> overplanned conference crash. Do you mind if I… I ask, a bit pompously >>>>> and >>>>> the lead facilitator is up for whatever help he can get. I leap up, and >>>>> step into the mess. I have a loud voice and it can’t get any worse than >>>>> this. An idea has just occurred to me and I decide to hurl it into the >>>>> cluttered room. “Er, hey.” I roar. “Why don’t we open some space?” I’m >>>>> loud. It goes silent. >>>>> >>>>> This is what I say: “This is crap isn’t it?” Silence. “Can everyone >>>>> bring their chairs and let’s get into a big circle. Tuts, irritation, >>>>> doubt >>>>> and mostly relief. Two minutes later there’s a big circle. >>>>> >>>>> I introduce open space in about four minutes and quickly crab some flip >>>>> chart paper and tack it to the wall, creating four corners at new >>>>> breakout >>>>> spaces. >>>>> >>>>> I ask people to take their chairs with them and, within about ten >>>>> minutes we have a whole bunch of different sessions, many based around >>>>> action. >>>>> >>>>> The bosses in the room are gobsmacked. >>>>> >>>>> We have a two hour open space until wrap up and there’s a huge buzz in >>>>> the room from this pop-up open space. >>>>> >>>>> The invite was improvised and spontaneous. >>>>> >>>>> The space opened because it wanted and needed to. It popped up and out >>>>> as if it were the most natural thing in the world. It transformed the >>>>> day >>>>> and sent the clutter fleeing for cover. It was done without fuss and >>>>> chairs >>>>> from the main circle quickly went into breakout and back again. The >>>>> facilitator team were edgy because they felt they were supposed to be >>>>> doing >>>>> something and I dragged them away for coffee. We chatted a bit about >>>>> “emergence” and I was looked on as if I’d done some kind of magic. I >>>>> was >>>>> young and enjoyed the attention. I was also looked as as if I was a bit >>>>> weird. Well, I am a bit weird. I do wonder if pop-up open space could >>>>> and >>>>> should happen a lot more. >>>>> >>>>> A lot of open spacers I know loved improvisation and spontaneity, yet >>>>> when it comes to open space are a bit locked in the process in the book >>>>> of >>>>> instructions – the manual that tends to overplay the “prep” for the >>>>> event. >>>>> So, I’m waving a flag for pop-up, guerilla open space. Why not open >>>>> some >>>>> space even for the process of open space? Let’s shimmy it a little and >>>>> see >>>>> what falls out. >>>>> >>>>> “Flash mob” open space has, I think, a big future. My intuition tells >>>>> me >>>>> a fair number of facilitators have done it, and a fair few of them >>>>> haven’t >>>>> reported it, telling instead there more “responsible” by-the-book open >>>>> space stories. But why not? Why not open some space on the spur of the >>>>> moment? The invite is still there -it just takes a hell of a lot >>>>> shorter. >>>>> The opportunity is always there where an over-organised event is >>>>> disappearing up its own proverbial… >>>>> >>>>> It is also there in an event that has some inbuilt flexibility. Why not >>>>> throw some open space into the flexible mix? But best of all, why not >>>>> open >>>>> space when space is there to be open? Self-organisation is often crying >>>>> out >>>>> for a chance in the midst of failing over-organisation. >>>>> >>>>> So, here’s to some more pop-up open space… >>>>> On 11 Nov 2014 19:59, "Peggy Holman via OSList" < >>>>> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi all, >>>>>> >>>>>> I got the query below from my friend Tom Atlee. It seemed like a >>>>>> great question for the list. Since Tom isn’t on it, I told him that >>>>>> I’d >>>>>> forward any responses. >>>>>> >>>>>> appreciatively, >>>>>> Peggy >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Begin forwarded message: >>>>>> >>>>>> *From: *Tom Atlee <c...@igc.org> >>>>>> *Date: *November 10, 2014 at 12:51:54 PM PST >>>>>> *Subject: **Guerilla Open Space?* >>>>>> *To: *Peggy Holman <pe...@peggyholman.com> >>>>>> >>>>>> Hi Peggy, >>>>>> >>>>>> Thinking about the NCDD conference, I got the idea for "guerilla Open >>>>>> Space" to be used in conferences where you want to open the space in >>>>>> the >>>>>> middle of a too-organized gathering. It would involve a central >>>>>> website >>>>>> with instructions on what to do and why. It would involve passing out >>>>>> cards with messages like "Is there something that you'd really like to >>>>>> talk >>>>>> about or do here that the agenda here is preventing you from talking >>>>>> about >>>>>> or doing?" "Would you like to be learning, contributing, and having >>>>>> more >>>>>> fun here?" with the web address on it. Tweets might also be used. >>>>>> Then, >>>>>> on the main website it would tell people about how to do a guerilla >>>>>> open >>>>>> space, referring them perhaps to meetup.com to arrange places to talk. >>>>>> >>>>>> Or something like that. Have you heard of such thing before? Do you >>>>>> have any thoughts/responses? >>>>>> >>>>>> Hugs, >>>>>> Tom >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> _________________________________ >>>>>> Peggy Holman >>>>>> Executive Director >>>>>> Journalism that Matters >>>>>> 15347 SE 49th Place >>>>>> Bellevue, WA 98006 >>>>>> 425-746-6274 >>>>>> www.journalismthatmatters.net >>>>>> www.peggyholman.com >>>>>> Twitter: @peggyholman >>>>>> JTM Twitter: @JTMStream >>>>>> >>>>>> Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into >>>>>> Opportunity <http://www.engagingemergence.com> >>>>>> Check out my series on what's emerging in the news & information >>>>>> ecosystem >>>>>> <http://www.journalismthatmatters.net/the_emerging_news_and_information_eco_system> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> OSList mailing list >>>>>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>>>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>>>>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> OSList mailing list >>>>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>>>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Scanned by iCritical. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> OSList mailing list >>>>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>>>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> *Skye Hirst, PhD* >>>> President - The Autognomics Institute >>>> *Conversations in Radical Self-Knowing* >>>> www.autognomics.org >>>> @autognomics >>>> >>>> New Phone Number: >>>> 207-593-8074 >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> OSList mailing list >>>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>>> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>>> >>>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> OSList mailing list >>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>> >>> >> > _______________________________________________ > OSList mailing list > To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org > To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org > To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: > http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org _______________________________________________ OSList mailing list To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
