Comments on: Open Space: A Model for a More Effective Movement http://www.ourhenhouse.org/2010/07/open-space-a-model-for-a-more-effective-movement/ a place to find our way to change the world for animals Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:53:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Glenn http://www.ourhenhouse.org/2010/07/open-space-a-model-for-a-more-effective-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-3381 Glenn Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:21:20 +0000 http://www.ourhenhouse.org/?p=2937#comment-3381 Thanks Shelley! I agree that building up an awareness about what to expect from an event is very important. Probably even more important than we think it is. I know I've heard people have mixed feelings about open space events because they never quite get over their surprise about the format at the beginning - which leads to discomfort later on and less involvement. I like your point about the "genius in the room." Crafting an invitation that will get the right people into the room is vital, but very, very challenging. Thanks Shelley!
I agree that building up an awareness about what to expect from an event is very important. Probably even more important than we think it is. I know I’ve heard people have mixed feelings about open space events because they never quite get over their surprise about the format at the beginning – which leads to discomfort later on and less involvement.

I like your point about the “genius in the room.” Crafting an invitation that will get the right people into the room is vital, but very, very challenging.

]]> By: Shelley http://www.ourhenhouse.org/2010/07/open-space-a-model-for-a-more-effective-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-3379 Shelley Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:54:32 +0000 http://www.ourhenhouse.org/?p=2937#comment-3379 Great piece! In my experience, folks who have never experienced any of the alt-conference formats can really benefit from some helpful "on-ramping," and posts like this can be an effective part of those efforts. Am also interested in how intentional we are about making sure -- in a format that acknowledges that "the genius is in the room" -- that as much of the full range of human genius is represented as possible. See also M.E. Steele-Pierce's great recent post along similar lines: http://plpnetwork.com/2011/03/07/unconference-revolutionary-professional-learning/ Great piece!

In my experience, folks who have never experienced any of the alt-conference formats can really benefit from some helpful “on-ramping,” and posts like this can be an effective part of those efforts.

Am also interested in how intentional we are about making sure — in a format that acknowledges that “the genius is in the room” — that as much of the full range of human genius is represented as possible.

See also M.E. Steele-Pierce’s great recent post along similar lines: http://plpnetwork.com/2011/03/07/unconference-revolutionary-professional-learning/

]]> By: Joanne http://www.ourhenhouse.org/2010/07/open-space-a-model-for-a-more-effective-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-839 Joanne Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:56:33 +0000 http://www.ourhenhouse.org/?p=2937#comment-839 Yes, in some ways the first two Animal Advocacy unconferences we did here in Vancouver kinda felt like what you described, Louche. But it was necessary in order identify the issues and topics that were important to the community before projects could appear. I think the continuation of the dialogue beyond just the initial unconference is really important. It's like a relationship, you can't skip the intros and random small talk before you become BFF. As a community building tool, I think the unconference works well. It empowers people who don't normally see themselves as "leaders" to participate and even lead projects. By our third meeting (which just happened), some really interesting projects and project teams had begun to form. Yes, in some ways the first two Animal Advocacy unconferences we did here in Vancouver kinda felt like what you described, Louche. But it was necessary in order identify the issues and topics that were important to the community before projects could appear. I think the continuation of the dialogue beyond just the initial unconference is really important. It’s like a relationship, you can’t skip the intros and random small talk before you become BFF. As a community building tool, I think the unconference works well. It empowers people who don’t normally see themselves as “leaders” to participate and even lead projects. By our third meeting (which just happened), some really interesting projects and project teams had begun to form.

]]> By: Glenn http://www.ourhenhouse.org/2010/07/open-space-a-model-for-a-more-effective-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-824 Glenn Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:35:09 +0000 http://www.ourhenhouse.org/?p=2937#comment-824 @Jeannie & @Louche - a poorly framed and poorly run meeting will almost always end up being a bad experience. Open Space isn't magic, it's just a format - and in order to work it needs to be a part of a process that involves framing the event, careful planning and crafting a good invitation. The actual event is just one piece of the entire dialogue process, which begins well before the people come together - and ideally should continue after as well. It's also quite possible for two people at the same event to have entirely different ideas about the success or failure of that event. We all bring our own expectations to an event, and that definitely colours our perspective on the outcome. @Jeannie & @Louche – a poorly framed and poorly run meeting will almost always end up being a bad experience. Open Space isn’t magic, it’s just a format – and in order to work it needs to be a part of a process that involves framing the event, careful planning and crafting a good invitation. The actual event is just one piece of the entire dialogue process, which begins well before the people come together – and ideally should continue after as well.

It’s also quite possible for two people at the same event to have entirely different ideas about the success or failure of that event. We all bring our own expectations to an event, and that definitely colours our perspective on the outcome.

]]> By: “Open Space” at Our Hen House | Liberation BC blog http://www.ourhenhouse.org/2010/07/open-space-a-model-for-a-more-effective-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-816 “Open Space” at Our Hen House | Liberation BC blog Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:52:16 +0000 http://www.ourhenhouse.org/?p=2937#comment-816 [...] BC’s Glenn recently had a guest post published at one of our favourite blogs, Our Hen House.  The topic?  Open Space workshops, and how we can use them to help animals. Everyone is invited [...] [...] BC’s Glenn recently had a guest post published at one of our favourite blogs, Our Hen House.  The topic?  Open Space workshops, and how we can use them to help animals. Everyone is invited [...]

]]> By: Jeannie http://www.ourhenhouse.org/2010/07/open-space-a-model-for-a-more-effective-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-815 Jeannie Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:54:43 +0000 http://www.ourhenhouse.org/?p=2937#comment-815 My open space meeting experience was the same as Louche's. Mine was a work event. My open space meeting experience was the same as Louche’s. Mine was a work event.

]]> By: Becci http://www.ourhenhouse.org/2010/07/open-space-a-model-for-a-more-effective-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-814 Becci Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:23:43 +0000 http://www.ourhenhouse.org/?p=2937#comment-814 Louche--I think it just has to be put together correctly. I went to one of the open space conferences a couple of weeks ago and it was a fantastic experience. It's just got to be organized by someone who knows what they're doing, because you're right--it can go wrong. (Bias admitted: I am with Liberation BC.) Louche–I think it just has to be put together correctly. I went to one of the open space conferences a couple of weeks ago and it was a fantastic experience. It’s just got to be organized by someone who knows what they’re doing, because you’re right–it can go wrong. (Bias admitted: I am with Liberation BC.)

]]> By: Louche http://www.ourhenhouse.org/2010/07/open-space-a-model-for-a-more-effective-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-812 Louche Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:45:10 +0000 http://www.ourhenhouse.org/?p=2937#comment-812 The one open spaces "unconference" I've been to was terrible. People were so poorly prepared, it was just like, "Hey, let's chat about random topic none of us knows much about." Or "let's spend our entire hour just introducing ourselves, and by the way, here's my business card." It was also a social justice "unconference," which is an extremely, extremely broad topic, which didn't help. I have found, of course, that I'll make a better connection if I attempt to meet up with other vegans for a chat than if I try to meet up with random people interested in "social justice." The one open spaces “unconference” I’ve been to was terrible. People were so poorly prepared, it was just like, “Hey, let’s chat about random topic none of us knows much about.” Or “let’s spend our entire hour just introducing ourselves, and by the way, here’s my business card.” It was also a social justice “unconference,” which is an extremely, extremely broad topic, which didn’t help. I have found, of course, that I’ll make a better connection if I attempt to meet up with other vegans for a chat than if I try to meet up with random people interested in “social justice.”

]]> By: Dylan Powell http://www.ourhenhouse.org/2010/07/open-space-a-model-for-a-more-effective-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-811 Dylan Powell Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:18:00 +0000 http://www.ourhenhouse.org/?p=2937#comment-811 This is very posi and very diy. SIGN ME UP!! Everyone is an intellectual, everyone is an activist. This is very posi and very diy. SIGN ME UP!! Everyone is an intellectual, everyone is an activist.

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