The Open Space is the place to explore issues and opportunities around the theme of our inquiry for the CIP:
How can we experience more meaning and wholeness in the virtual workplace?
As its developer Harrison Owen says, "Open Space runs on passion bounded by responsibility." It's for players. It's not a spectator sport.
Open Space has Four Principles:
- Whoever comes is the right people -- if 60 people or just one person joins your topic, it's just the right number
- Whatever happens is the only thing that could have -- whatever happens is right because it's the result of the choice, passion, and commitment of those participating
- Whenever it starts is the right time -- you'll know when the topic exploration has begun
- When it's over it's over -- similarly, you'll know when it's over
and One Law:
- The Law of Two Feet -- vote with your feet by choosing where you want to be and how long you stay
Please follow these simple guidelines in our Open Space:
- Read through instructions to learn more about how to participate in the Open Space. (Hint: Double-click any blue, underlined titles of items to read them).
- Offer to convene a topic on an issue or theme about which you have genuine passion and for which you will take responsibility.
- Convener responsibilities include showing up and being present for the duration of the conversation on that topic, facilitating the discussion as appropriate, and when it's over creating a harvest summary to share what happened with the whole Community.
- As a participant, look through the market place of topics to see what conversations have been offered that are of real interest to you. Where is your passion and energy?
- Join the topics that you really care about and where you feel you can learn and contribute. Joining a topic lets your presence be known to the rest of the group and helps build trust.
- Use the Law of Two Feet. When a topic is over, or when you're no longer getting what you want or can no longer contribute what you have to offer, say good-bye and leave the topic, thus removing your name from the membership list.
- If none of the topics really engages you, convene your own. You are responsible for your own experience in Open Space.
- You can join as many (or as few) topics as you like. In cyberspace, you can actually meet with several groups at the same time. On the other hand, how many conversations can you really be fully engaged in? Be somewhat selective.
- Be yourself. Some people like to stay with one topic and go into it in depth over time. They provide the continuity and stability that allows conversations to build and reach fruition. Others act as "butterflies" or "bumblebees" and move from topic to topic. They bring insights and ideas from other groups and provide cross-pollination. Both are important and contribute to the process.
- Please do not delete any of your topics or responses in the Open Space. If you do, things may get scrambled and you may miss some interesting conversation. Instead, use the mechanism of joining and leaving topics to keep the volume of material more manageable.
- If you want to start a conversation outside of the Open Space focus on meaning and wholeness in the workplace -- virtual and otherwise, the Cafe is a better place for that. You can get to the Cafe from the Map.
- Enjoy yourself, and be prepared to be surprised!
From the 1996 Awakening Technology Community of Inquiry and Practice (CIP)
Content and Groupware Design © 1996 Awakening Technology.
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From www.awakentech.com on 04/18/2024 ---- item last modified on 05/31/1997.