Re: Any videos of opening space?
Hi Isaac,
I’m sending this back to the OSlist in case others have a different perspective to offer to you.
BTW, thank you for bringing your questions to the list. In the early days, we shared lots of questions and opinions around things like this, as well as deep discussions about the principles and what they meant to us. You bring back the opportunity for those kinds of exchanges.
Your timing looks tight but workable for 4 hours.
When I have that amount of time, it is always a trade off between two longer sessions or three shorter ones. I make the choice based on the purpose and the culture. Is it a purpose where people have been in conversation for a while and are ready to run with ideas or something new that requires more reflection as people come from many perspectives. Is it an organization that moves fast, often true in technology-oriented companies? Or is it a community or group that is seeking to dive deep together? Is it predominantly people who know each other or is it a group coming together for the first time? How diverse is the mix? Those are some of the factors I consider while working with the sponsor and/or hosting team to discern what is best for them.
One practical thing: I tend to go with half or quarter hour start times just because it’s a little easier to remember. (I don’t usually post end times as, particularly with shorter Open Spaces, often some people never leave the first session an. It runs as long as they need it to. Those who do want to move to the next session do so. It helps to have a space where it is easy to accommodate that sort of flexibility.)
Here is a three session and a two session timing:
Three sessions
Arrivals: 1-1:30
Welcome, opening: 1:30-2:15
Session 1: 2:15-3:00
Session 2: 3:00-3:45
Session 3: 3:45-4:30
Closing: 4:30-5pm
Two sessions
Arrivals: 1-1:30
Welcome, opening: 1:30-2:30
Session 1: 2:30-3:30
Session 2: 3:30-4:30
Closing: 4:30-5:00
Let us know how it goes!
Peggy
On Jan 11, 2025, at 12:18 PM, isaac a isaac48@hotmail.com wrote:
Thanks Peggy, that's really good to know. It will definitely be under 100 people, probably way more under that. I just wasn't sure, so I was worrying a little.
This is what I'm thinking.
1pm arrivals, cloakrooms, teas, coffee, mingling
Circa 1.15/1.20 speeches, opening circle, session calling.
Session 1: 2-2.50pm
Session 2: 2:50-3.40pm
Session 3: 3.40-4.30pm
Closing circle 4.30-5pm
Does this look/sound ok?
Isaac
From: Peggy Holman via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Sent: 11 January 2025 18:49
To: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Subject: [OSList] Re: Any videos of opening space?
Isaac,
How big is your group? An hour is ample for all but groups over a couple hundred for the sponsor to say a few words, you to open the space (including modeling), and people calling sessions. Unless there’s a specific reason for more, I coach sponsors to take no more than 5-10 minutes to speak (from my outline: Brief introduction by host/sponsor – what inspired the meeting, its purpose, who’s in the room, the host's aspirations for the time together).
It takes me about 15 minutes to open the space. It used to be longer but I’ve gotten crisper over time.
For groups under 50, sessions can be posted in 15 minutes or so. Larger groups can do it in 30 minutes. Very large groups - 500+ - allow 40 minutes or so. Part of the art is in setting an expectation that all the person announcing the session says is their name and what they have written as their topic. With small groups, I’m more lax about that. But with large groups, brevity is key. Most folks get that. If someone goes on, and time is short, I may step in and say something that doesn’t make the person who just spoke wrong, but resets the expectation to keep it brief.
Check out the chunking in my opening outline https://peggyholman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/OST-Outline-V4.pdf. In brief:
Welcome; create space
State the theme
How does this work?
Principles & law
Let’s do it!
My bias is to cover mechanics before the principles and the law. I do that because I figure people who are in Open Space for the first time are wondering how the *#?! is this going to work? Once they’ve gotten the idea, I suspect they have better listening for the principles and law.
Peggy
On Jan 11, 2025, at 10:25 AM, isaac a via OSList everyone@oslist.org wrote:
Audio is absolutely fine.
Sorry, I should have said that at first.
Also, I guess i'm looking for the pacing and timing.
How will I manage an hour from arrivals to start of the first session? Including people refreshing on arrival, the sponsors' introduction speeches, opening the circle, explaining/modelling the process and people calling sessions. I don't know yet how many will come. I thought about chunking those elements in the opening circle, to structure and help me remember and manage what's said and when. Most important information first...etc.
Isaac
From: Jeff Aitken r.jeff.aitken@gmail.com
Sent: 11 January 2025 14:38
To: isaac a isaac48@hotmail.com
Cc: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Subject: Re: [OSList] Any videos of opening space?
Oh! These are mp3 audio and not video. My bad!
https://openspaceworld.org/wp2/hho/
Try the links on this page for resources, such as this one from Chris C, who posted video of an opening on his site:
https://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/open-space-resources/
On Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 9:32 AM Jeff Aitken <r.jeff.aitken@gmail.com mailto:r.jeff.aitken@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Isaac. I just found this resource among many at openspaceworld.org http://openspaceworld.org/. 3 openings to enjoy!
https://openspaceworld.org/wp2/explore/three-openings/
Best to you!
Jeff
Gulf Coast Florida
On Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 8:33 AM isaac a via OSList <everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:
Hi,
Can anyone please recommend any videos available online, of good examples of opening space in the opening circle?
Bhavesh recently shared a good one with me. Thanks Bhavesh.
It would be great to see how others approach it. I'm researching for rehearsing.
Many thanks!
Isaac 🙏🏿❤️
OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org
OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org
Thanks Peggy! It's diverse in all sorts of ways. In a way, it's also a pilot, a taster of a new way of working together, of what is possible. So, even though it might be tight and conversations might not necessarily get concluded, it's not over until it's over. We'll encourage people to continue the conversations. We'll offer the library spaces as a place where people can come and continue those conversations. There will be a table and notice board near an old London style telephone box (we'll call it communication station, or something) for people to leave their business cards, contact details, flyers and posters, to encourage connection, connection, connection... and the library service is here to support that.
We've been working with all sorts of restrictions, hence the tight timings.
The main question is "How can curiosity and creativity inspire new ideas, and develop meaningful connections and collaborations?"
After the pilot, we hope to make it an annual event.
The event title is 'Creative Resolutions'. We're also tapping into the spirit of new year resolutions, goals , individual and collective, by bringing people together to be curious and creative, to connect and collaborate. It's also an experiment.
Isaac
From: Peggy Holman via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Sent: 11 January 2025 23:16
To: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Subject: [OSList] Re: Any videos of opening space?
Hi Isaac,
I’m sending this back to the OSlist in case others have a different perspective to offer to you.
BTW, thank you for bringing your questions to the list. In the early days, we shared lots of questions and opinions around things like this, as well as deep discussions about the principles and what they meant to us. You bring back the opportunity for those kinds of exchanges.
Your timing looks tight but workable for 4 hours.
When I have that amount of time, it is always a trade off between two longer sessions or three shorter ones. I make the choice based on the purpose and the culture. Is it a purpose where people have been in conversation for a while and are ready to run with ideas or something new that requires more reflection as people come from many perspectives. Is it an organization that moves fast, often true in technology-oriented companies? Or is it a community or group that is seeking to dive deep together? Is it predominantly people who know each other or is it a group coming together for the first time? How diverse is the mix? Those are some of the factors I consider while working with the sponsor and/or hosting team to discern what is best for them.
One practical thing: I tend to go with half or quarter hour start times just because it’s a little easier to remember. (I don’t usually post end times as, particularly with shorter Open Spaces, often some people never leave the first session an. It runs as long as they need it to. Those who do want to move to the next session do so. It helps to have a space where it is easy to accommodate that sort of flexibility.)
Here is a three session and a two session timing:
Three sessions
Arrivals: 1-1:30
Welcome, opening: 1:30-2:15
Session 1: 2:15-3:00
Session 2: 3:00-3:45
Session 3: 3:45-4:30
Closing: 4:30-5pm
Two sessions
Arrivals: 1-1:30
Welcome, opening: 1:30-2:30
Session 1: 2:30-3:30
Session 2: 3:30-4:30
Closing: 4:30-5:00
Let us know how it goes!
Peggy
On Jan 11, 2025, at 12:18 PM, isaac a isaac48@hotmail.com wrote:
Thanks Peggy, that's really good to know. It will definitely be under 100 people, probably way more under that. I just wasn't sure, so I was worrying a little.
This is what I'm thinking.
1pm arrivals, cloakrooms, teas, coffee, mingling
Circa 1.15/1.20 speeches, opening circle, session calling.
Session 1: 2-2.50pm
Session 2: 2:50-3.40pm
Session 3: 3.40-4.30pm
Closing circle 4.30-5pm
Does this look/sound ok?
Isaac
From: Peggy Holman via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Sent: 11 January 2025 18:49
To: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Subject: [OSList] Re: Any videos of opening space?
Isaac,
How big is your group? An hour is ample for all but groups over a couple hundred for the sponsor to say a few words, you to open the space (including modeling), and people calling sessions. Unless there’s a specific reason for more, I coach sponsors to take no more than 5-10 minutes to speak (from my outline: Brief introduction by host/sponsor – what inspired the meeting, its purpose, who’s in the room, the host's aspirations for the time together).
It takes me about 15 minutes to open the space. It used to be longer but I’ve gotten crisper over time.
For groups under 50, sessions can be posted in 15 minutes or so. Larger groups can do it in 30 minutes. Very large groups - 500+ - allow 40 minutes or so. Part of the art is in setting an expectation that all the person announcing the session says is their name and what they have written as their topic. With small groups, I’m more lax about that. But with large groups, brevity is key. Most folks get that. If someone goes on, and time is short, I may step in and say something that doesn’t make the person who just spoke wrong, but resets the expectation to keep it brief.
Check out the chunking in my opening outlinehttps://peggyholman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/OST-Outline-V4.pdf. In brief:
Welcome; create space
State the theme
How does this work?
Principles & law
Let’s do it!
My bias is to cover mechanics before the principles and the law. I do that because I figure people who are in Open Space for the first time are wondering how the *#?! is this going to work? Once they’ve gotten the idea, I suspect they have better listening for the principles and law.
Peggy
On Jan 11, 2025, at 10:25 AM, isaac a via OSList everyone@oslist.org wrote:
Audio is absolutely fine.
Sorry, I should have said that at first.
Also, I guess i'm looking for the pacing and timing.
How will I manage an hour from arrivals to start of the first session? Including people refreshing on arrival, the sponsors' introduction speeches, opening the circle, explaining/modelling the process and people calling sessions. I don't know yet how many will come. I thought about chunking those elements in the opening circle, to structure and help me remember and manage what's said and when. Most important information first...etc.
Isaac
From: Jeff Aitken r.jeff.aitken@gmail.com
Sent: 11 January 2025 14:38
To: isaac a isaac48@hotmail.com
Cc: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Subject: Re: [OSList] Any videos of opening space?
Oh! These are mp3 audio and not video. My bad!
https://openspaceworld.org/wp2/hho/
Try the links on this page for resources, such as this one from Chris C, who posted video of an opening on his site:
https://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/open-space-resources/
On Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 9:32 AM Jeff Aitken <r.jeff.aitken@gmail.commailto:r.jeff.aitken@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Isaac. I just found this resource among many at openspaceworld.orghttp://openspaceworld.org/. 3 openings to enjoy!
https://openspaceworld.org/wp2/explore/three-openings/
Best to you!
Jeff
Gulf Coast Florida
On Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 8:33 AM isaac a via OSList <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:
Hi,
Can anyone please recommend any videos available online, of good examples of opening space in the opening circle?
Bhavesh recently shared a good one with me. Thanks Bhavesh.
It would be great to see how others approach it. I'm researching for rehearsing.
Many thanks!
Isaac 🙏🏿❤️
OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.orgmailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org
OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org
... just adding to the "purpose", the 10 year new library strategy includes a desire/ purpose, to work with communities, but there's still a bit of a lag, still working in the old ways. This is opening up space for discussions of what is possible. As yet, we don't know what we don't know. By the end, or the end of what is a new beginning, we will know more and we will know more about each others' ideas, desires and purposes.
From: isaac a isaac48@hotmail.com
Sent: 12 January 2025 10:28
To: Peggy Holman via OSList everyone@oslist.org; Peggy Holman peggy@peggyholman.com
Subject: Re: [OSList] Re: Any videos of opening space?
Thanks Peggy! It's diverse in all sorts of ways. In a way, it's also a pilot, a taster of a new way of working together, of what is possible. So, even though it might be tight and conversations might not necessarily get concluded, it's not over until it's over. We'll encourage people to continue the conversations. We'll offer the library spaces as a place where people can come and continue those conversations. There will be a table and notice board near an old London style telephone box (we'll call it communication station, or something) for people to leave their business cards, contact details, flyers and posters, to encourage connection, connection, connection... and the library service is here to support that.
We've been working with all sorts of restrictions, hence the tight timings.
The main question is "How can curiosity and creativity inspire new ideas, and develop meaningful connections and collaborations?"
After the pilot, we hope to make it an annual event.
The event title is 'Creative Resolutions'. We're also tapping into the spirit of new year resolutions, goals , individual and collective, by bringing people together to be curious and creative, to connect and collaborate. It's also an experiment.
Isaac
From: Peggy Holman via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Sent: 11 January 2025 23:16
To: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Subject: [OSList] Re: Any videos of opening space?
Hi Isaac,
I’m sending this back to the OSlist in case others have a different perspective to offer to you.
BTW, thank you for bringing your questions to the list. In the early days, we shared lots of questions and opinions around things like this, as well as deep discussions about the principles and what they meant to us. You bring back the opportunity for those kinds of exchanges.
Your timing looks tight but workable for 4 hours.
When I have that amount of time, it is always a trade off between two longer sessions or three shorter ones. I make the choice based on the purpose and the culture. Is it a purpose where people have been in conversation for a while and are ready to run with ideas or something new that requires more reflection as people come from many perspectives. Is it an organization that moves fast, often true in technology-oriented companies? Or is it a community or group that is seeking to dive deep together? Is it predominantly people who know each other or is it a group coming together for the first time? How diverse is the mix? Those are some of the factors I consider while working with the sponsor and/or hosting team to discern what is best for them.
One practical thing: I tend to go with half or quarter hour start times just because it’s a little easier to remember. (I don’t usually post end times as, particularly with shorter Open Spaces, often some people never leave the first session an. It runs as long as they need it to. Those who do want to move to the next session do so. It helps to have a space where it is easy to accommodate that sort of flexibility.)
Here is a three session and a two session timing:
Three sessions
Arrivals: 1-1:30
Welcome, opening: 1:30-2:15
Session 1: 2:15-3:00
Session 2: 3:00-3:45
Session 3: 3:45-4:30
Closing: 4:30-5pm
Two sessions
Arrivals: 1-1:30
Welcome, opening: 1:30-2:30
Session 1: 2:30-3:30
Session 2: 3:30-4:30
Closing: 4:30-5:00
Let us know how it goes!
Peggy
On Jan 11, 2025, at 12:18 PM, isaac a isaac48@hotmail.com wrote:
Thanks Peggy, that's really good to know. It will definitely be under 100 people, probably way more under that. I just wasn't sure, so I was worrying a little.
This is what I'm thinking.
1pm arrivals, cloakrooms, teas, coffee, mingling
Circa 1.15/1.20 speeches, opening circle, session calling.
Session 1: 2-2.50pm
Session 2: 2:50-3.40pm
Session 3: 3.40-4.30pm
Closing circle 4.30-5pm
Does this look/sound ok?
Isaac
From: Peggy Holman via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Sent: 11 January 2025 18:49
To: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Subject: [OSList] Re: Any videos of opening space?
Isaac,
How big is your group? An hour is ample for all but groups over a couple hundred for the sponsor to say a few words, you to open the space (including modeling), and people calling sessions. Unless there’s a specific reason for more, I coach sponsors to take no more than 5-10 minutes to speak (from my outline: Brief introduction by host/sponsor – what inspired the meeting, its purpose, who’s in the room, the host's aspirations for the time together).
It takes me about 15 minutes to open the space. It used to be longer but I’ve gotten crisper over time.
For groups under 50, sessions can be posted in 15 minutes or so. Larger groups can do it in 30 minutes. Very large groups - 500+ - allow 40 minutes or so. Part of the art is in setting an expectation that all the person announcing the session says is their name and what they have written as their topic. With small groups, I’m more lax about that. But with large groups, brevity is key. Most folks get that. If someone goes on, and time is short, I may step in and say something that doesn’t make the person who just spoke wrong, but resets the expectation to keep it brief.
Check out the chunking in my opening outlinehttps://peggyholman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/OST-Outline-V4.pdf. In brief:
Welcome; create space
State the theme
How does this work?
Principles & law
Let’s do it!
My bias is to cover mechanics before the principles and the law. I do that because I figure people who are in Open Space for the first time are wondering how the *#?! is this going to work? Once they’ve gotten the idea, I suspect they have better listening for the principles and law.
Peggy
On Jan 11, 2025, at 10:25 AM, isaac a via OSList everyone@oslist.org wrote:
Audio is absolutely fine.
Sorry, I should have said that at first.
Also, I guess i'm looking for the pacing and timing.
How will I manage an hour from arrivals to start of the first session? Including people refreshing on arrival, the sponsors' introduction speeches, opening the circle, explaining/modelling the process and people calling sessions. I don't know yet how many will come. I thought about chunking those elements in the opening circle, to structure and help me remember and manage what's said and when. Most important information first...etc.
Isaac
From: Jeff Aitken r.jeff.aitken@gmail.com
Sent: 11 January 2025 14:38
To: isaac a isaac48@hotmail.com
Cc: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Subject: Re: [OSList] Any videos of opening space?
Oh! These are mp3 audio and not video. My bad!
https://openspaceworld.org/wp2/hho/
Try the links on this page for resources, such as this one from Chris C, who posted video of an opening on his site:
https://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/open-space-resources/
On Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 9:32 AM Jeff Aitken <r.jeff.aitken@gmail.commailto:r.jeff.aitken@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Isaac. I just found this resource among many at openspaceworld.orghttp://openspaceworld.org/. 3 openings to enjoy!
https://openspaceworld.org/wp2/explore/three-openings/
Best to you!
Jeff
Gulf Coast Florida
On Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 8:33 AM isaac a via OSList <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:
Hi,
Can anyone please recommend any videos available online, of good examples of opening space in the opening circle?
Bhavesh recently shared a good one with me. Thanks Bhavesh.
It would be great to see how others approach it. I'm researching for rehearsing.
Many thanks!
Isaac 🙏🏿❤️
OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.orgmailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org
OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org
It sounds like a wonderful, grand experiment! Please let us know how it goes.
Just curious, did people have to register in advance so you have some idea how many are coming? Or is it a drop-in situation? Either works. I think I ask mostly because if it is drop in, you may have more people showing up at any time. So I encourage you to plan on having someone around to welcome people whenever they show up and orient them briefly to what’s happening. Also, as part of your opening, set the stage for everyone to “welcome the stranger” when they show up.
That reminds me...I often ask someone who knows how things work to stay by the agenda wall when people start announcing topics to help them post their topic if they come to the agenda wall looking confused.
Wishing you great success! Harrison used to say that Open Space Technology is free for the taking. The only responsibility is to share what you learn. Consider this list a great place to do that.
Warmly,
Peggy
On Jan 12, 2025, at 2:38 AM, isaac a isaac48@hotmail.com wrote:
... just adding to the "purpose", the 10 year new library strategy includes a desire/ purpose, to work with communities, but there's still a bit of a lag, still working in the old ways. This is opening up space for discussions of what is possible. As yet, we don't know what we don't know. By the end, or the end of what is a new beginning, we will know more and we will know more about each others' ideas, desires and purposes.
From: isaac a isaac48@hotmail.com
Sent: 12 January 2025 10:28
To: Peggy Holman via OSList everyone@oslist.org; Peggy Holman peggy@peggyholman.com
Subject: Re: [OSList] Re: Any videos of opening space?
Thanks Peggy! It's diverse in all sorts of ways. In a way, it's also a pilot, a taster of a new way of working together, of what is possible. So, even though it might be tight and conversations might not necessarily get concluded, it's not over until it's over. We'll encourage people to continue the conversations. We'll offer the library spaces as a place where people can come and continue those conversations. There will be a table and notice board near an old London style telephone box (we'll call it communication station, or something) for people to leave their business cards, contact details, flyers and posters, to encourage connection, connection, connection... and the library service is here to support that.
We've been working with all sorts of restrictions, hence the tight timings.
The main question is "How can curiosity and creativity inspire new ideas, and develop meaningful connections and collaborations?"
After the pilot, we hope to make it an annual event.
The event title is 'Creative Resolutions'. We're also tapping into the spirit of new year resolutions, goals , individual and collective, by bringing people together to be curious and creative, to connect and collaborate. It's also an experiment.
Isaac
From: Peggy Holman via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Sent: 11 January 2025 23:16
To: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Subject: [OSList] Re: Any videos of opening space?
Hi Isaac,
I’m sending this back to the OSlist in case others have a different perspective to offer to you.
BTW, thank you for bringing your questions to the list. In the early days, we shared lots of questions and opinions around things like this, as well as deep discussions about the principles and what they meant to us. You bring back the opportunity for those kinds of exchanges.
Your timing looks tight but workable for 4 hours.
When I have that amount of time, it is always a trade off between two longer sessions or three shorter ones. I make the choice based on the purpose and the culture. Is it a purpose where people have been in conversation for a while and are ready to run with ideas or something new that requires more reflection as people come from many perspectives. Is it an organization that moves fast, often true in technology-oriented companies? Or is it a community or group that is seeking to dive deep together? Is it predominantly people who know each other or is it a group coming together for the first time? How diverse is the mix? Those are some of the factors I consider while working with the sponsor and/or hosting team to discern what is best for them.
One practical thing: I tend to go with half or quarter hour start times just because it’s a little easier to remember. (I don’t usually post end times as, particularly with shorter Open Spaces, often some people never leave the first session an. It runs as long as they need it to. Those who do want to move to the next session do so. It helps to have a space where it is easy to accommodate that sort of flexibility.)
Here is a three session and a two session timing:
Three sessions
Arrivals: 1-1:30
Welcome, opening: 1:30-2:15
Session 1: 2:15-3:00
Session 2: 3:00-3:45
Session 3: 3:45-4:30
Closing: 4:30-5pm
Two sessions
Arrivals: 1-1:30
Welcome, opening: 1:30-2:30
Session 1: 2:30-3:30
Session 2: 3:30-4:30
Closing: 4:30-5:00
Let us know how it goes!
Peggy
On Jan 11, 2025, at 12:18 PM, isaac a isaac48@hotmail.com wrote:
Thanks Peggy, that's really good to know. It will definitely be under 100 people, probably way more under that. I just wasn't sure, so I was worrying a little.
This is what I'm thinking.
1pm arrivals, cloakrooms, teas, coffee, mingling
Circa 1.15/1.20 speeches, opening circle, session calling.
Session 1: 2-2.50pm
Session 2: 2:50-3.40pm
Session 3: 3.40-4.30pm
Closing circle 4.30-5pm
Does this look/sound ok?
Isaac
From: Peggy Holman via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Sent: 11 January 2025 18:49
To: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Subject: [OSList] Re: Any videos of opening space?
Isaac,
How big is your group? An hour is ample for all but groups over a couple hundred for the sponsor to say a few words, you to open the space (including modeling), and people calling sessions. Unless there’s a specific reason for more, I coach sponsors to take no more than 5-10 minutes to speak (from my outline: Brief introduction by host/sponsor – what inspired the meeting, its purpose, who’s in the room, the host's aspirations for the time together).
It takes me about 15 minutes to open the space. It used to be longer but I’ve gotten crisper over time.
For groups under 50, sessions can be posted in 15 minutes or so. Larger groups can do it in 30 minutes. Very large groups - 500+ - allow 40 minutes or so. Part of the art is in setting an expectation that all the person announcing the session says is their name and what they have written as their topic. With small groups, I’m more lax about that. But with large groups, brevity is key. Most folks get that. If someone goes on, and time is short, I may step in and say something that doesn’t make the person who just spoke wrong, but resets the expectation to keep it brief.
Check out the chunking in my opening outline https://peggyholman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/OST-Outline-V4.pdf. In brief:
Welcome; create space
State the theme
How does this work?
Principles & law
Let’s do it!
My bias is to cover mechanics before the principles and the law. I do that because I figure people who are in Open Space for the first time are wondering how the *#?! is this going to work? Once they’ve gotten the idea, I suspect they have better listening for the principles and law.
Peggy
On Jan 11, 2025, at 10:25 AM, isaac a via OSList everyone@oslist.org wrote:
Audio is absolutely fine.
Sorry, I should have said that at first.
Also, I guess i'm looking for the pacing and timing.
How will I manage an hour from arrivals to start of the first session? Including people refreshing on arrival, the sponsors' introduction speeches, opening the circle, explaining/modelling the process and people calling sessions. I don't know yet how many will come. I thought about chunking those elements in the opening circle, to structure and help me remember and manage what's said and when. Most important information first...etc.
Isaac
From: Jeff Aitken r.jeff.aitken@gmail.com
Sent: 11 January 2025 14:38
To: isaac a isaac48@hotmail.com
Cc: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Subject: Re: [OSList] Any videos of opening space?
Oh! These are mp3 audio and not video. My bad!
https://openspaceworld.org/wp2/hho/
Try the links on this page for resources, such as this one from Chris C, who posted video of an opening on his site:
https://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/open-space-resources/
On Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 9:32 AM Jeff Aitken <r.jeff.aitken@gmail.com mailto:r.jeff.aitken@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Isaac. I just found this resource among many at openspaceworld.org http://openspaceworld.org/. 3 openings to enjoy!
https://openspaceworld.org/wp2/explore/three-openings/
Best to you!
Jeff
Gulf Coast Florida
On Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 8:33 AM isaac a via OSList <everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:
Hi,
Can anyone please recommend any videos available online, of good examples of opening space in the opening circle?
Bhavesh recently shared a good one with me. Thanks Bhavesh.
It would be great to see how others approach it. I'm researching for rehearsing.
Many thanks!
Isaac 🙏🏿❤️
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