An Open Space Christmas
17 December 2007I’m applying Open Space principles to Christmas this year – I think they’re ideal, especially the maxim to ‘do one less thing’!
Learning facilitation – what’s significant? part 2
11 December 2007I’d just opened space. About 60 or so people were sitting in, not really a circle, more an amoeba. They’d done well, considering. Pillars and curves in an oblong room was not really conducive to creating a nice neat circle. No matter. They’d just sat through a tedious powerpoint presentation so I guess they were…
The winds of change
2 December 2007After 11 and a half years Australians elected a new government last week. There’s a new sense of optimism; a feeling of lightness, of possibility, excitement even – all yet to be realised of course. This time frame nearly matches my own journey as an independent consultant, which makes it a good time to embark…
More on letting go
18 November 2007Nick Smith writes a moving piece about his eldest daughter leaving home to travel the world. Amongst his reflections and advice, this stood out: Strange isn’t it, the best of times are always when we bring the least with us, when we don’t organise or plan things but just show up with an openness and…
The Open Space of blogging
18 November 2007Hmmmmm…I ought to blog about that. This thought comes to my mind often – and yet I can’t seem to find the words. Today I realised that the principles of Open Space relate very well to blogging too. Blogging is becoming my personal Open Space. Whoever comes are the right people: and I need to…
A few random thoughts from Banff
18 November 2007The AIN (improv) conference in Banff was a source of many ideas and connections. Here’s just a few. • Ecoductions – introducing yourself using place as the focus; a way to avoid the trap of defining yourself based on what you do and to revisit the way the environment shapes who we are. • The…
Open Space on Open Space
18 October 2007Open Space on Open Space (OSonOS) Registration I’m helping to organise a gathering of Open Space facilitators, learners and enthusiasts – to meet old and new friends and colleagues to explore, discover, share and learn from one another * in * Open Space, * about * Open Space. Melbourne – Friday 7 December (in the…
Facilitation in Armenia
16 September 2007I’ve just finished a week’s work in Armenia working with folk who are trying to encourage community engagement, citizenship and social accountability in a post-Communist environment. it was an interesting and challenging experience. Some impressions on Armenia. I have absolutely NO IDEA how the pedestrian crossing system works in Yerevan (the capital) – green lights…
OSonOS 2008 San Francisco
29 July 2007My friend Lisa Heft is hosting next year’s international Open Space on Open Space gathering in San Francisco. Here’s what she wrote: (drum roll, please….) Dear colleagues and friends On behalf of the Host Team for the 2008 World Open Space on Open Space… …the next annual international face-to-face gathering of Open Space facilitators, learners…