1. Welcome “opening”

We are here at “….” for open space and the topic is "….”

What is open space?

What is the agenda?

Why this topic?

Why we are here?

We will talk about all of that later.

…Now I would like to invite the 2 organizations which organized & sponsored this open space.

…The important thing now is to know a little bit about each other and who is in the room .

We pass the talking piece around, if you don’t feel ready to speak then just pass it on and it will come back again, we each get a turn to speak: say your name, your background, your current position and why you are here.

2. Introduce open space

Recommended Speech:

The technique which we are using called open space technology.

What is open space technology?

Open space technology was created by someone called Harrison Owen.

The Idea came from the coffee break where most of the inspiring and interesting discussions and talks take place away from the action.

So why people spend a lot of time, effort and money on making the agenda, calling speakers and organizing the participants where most of the discussions are happening at the coffee break.

So Harrison decided why we don’t bring the coffee break to us into our discussions.

Open space technology works with group of five people, it can also work with group up to 1000.

3. State the Theme

The next order of business is to make clear the purpose of the meeting "Answer the two questions (why we are here?  Why this topic? ) ".

 If you are standing at the edge of the circle, as I usually am, now is a good time to move into the center.

Recommended Speech:

By the end of our time together, we will have written our proceedings. I have here in my hands the front cover and the back cover. As you can see, there is nothing in between.

...The blank time/space matrix (marketplace) that you see in the wall is going to be our detail agenda for this gathering.

That empty space Agenda will remain until, we all get to work.

4. Describe the five principles and the one low

Now I am going to introduce the principles, we have five principles

1. Whoever comes is the right people

Recommended Speech: The first principle, whoever comes is the right people. For good conversation you only need one other person who shares your passion. if nobody comes, might be a bad idea, or just bad timing you  If nobody comes to your group. First, it is just possible that it wasn't a very good idea to begin with. Then again, it may be a great idea but at the wrong time.

2. Whatever happens, it’s the only thing that can happen

Recommended Speech: The second principle, whatever happens, it’s the only thing that can happen. This is not to say that you have no control over what happens. To the contrary, what will happen in this meeting is the only thing that this group, in this space, at this time could do.

3. Whenever it starts, it’s the right time

Recommended Speech: The third principle whenever it starts, it’s the right time … spirit and creativity do not run on the clock.

4. When it’s over it’s over

Recommended Speech: The fourth principle when it’s over it’s over … we never know how long it will take to resolve an issue, once raised, but that whenever the issue or work or conversation is finished, move on to the next thing. Do the work, not the time.

5. Wherever it happens is the right place “new”

Recommended Speech:

Wherever it happens is the right place. ... Space is opening everywhere all the time. Please be conscious and aware. - Tahrir Square is one famous example.

The One Law

Recommended Speech: The one law is the Law of the Two Feet, the Law of Two Feet says: "Don't waste time!” If at any time during our time together you find yourself in any situation where you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet, go someplace else.
The low of two feet creates bumblebees and butterflies. The bumblebees are going everywhere from a discussion to another.
The butterflies they seem relaxing till you get close from them so they start discussion & talking about the issues which concern them.

Introduce the Agenda

5. Create the community Bulletin Board

Recommended Speech: Now I am inviting whoever interested in a topic please come to the middle write your topic, your name and put it on the time slot. If you have a topic or a question or something you want to discuss come to the middle writes it, write your name & stick it to the time slot. This topic or ideas must be accompanied by your commitment and passion to lead the discussion and take personal responsibility to the actions identified. You may propose as many topics as you like.

6. Open the Village Marketplace

After this, the participants will be invited to sign up for these Open Space feather group discussions, they was to be part of.

Recommended Speech:

Now I am  inviting you to sign up for the topic that are of your interest and passion in the bulletin board.

7. Go To work

Recommeded Speech:

Open Space is rather like swimming. You can read all the books and talk until you are hoarse, but to do the job, you've just got to get in the water. So let's jump in.

I’m inviting the idea initiator of first session to take the topic off the matrix and move to the space specified for the discussion with a white flipchart, A4 papers, form and markers.

...Please remember, every day after the workshops”sessions” we gather for evening news!

8. Evening News and Closing the day

If the OST gathering is a multi-day event, than at the end of each day, there must be a check out closing circle. In this closing circle the participants return to the circle for “Evening News.” The participants are encouraged to use the “talking stick” to express what they have experienced that day.

Recommended Speech:

We pass the talking piece around, if you don’t feel ready to speak then just pass it on and it will come back again, we each get a turn to speak:  one word to describe how do you feel?

The participant’s meets after this closing circle in small groups and socialize. They sing around in a circle, take dinner together and develop a strong feeling of a community. In many cases this has worked in developing a stronger team.

9. Opening the day with morning news

The second day’s OST gathering begins with an opening check in circle. At the beginning of the second day, the participants gather in a circle. The facilitator or organizing team shares any changes to the schedule or other announcements.

Recommended Speech:

If you have a new topic please come to the middle write your topic, your name and put it on the time slot.

Breaking News

...Also, I’m inviting everyone in the room to roam around the news-wall to review the findings of the discussion.

10. Next Steps

The third day’s OST gathering begins with an opening check in circle. At the beginning of the third day, the participants gather in a circle. The facilitator or organizing team shares the next steps.

Recommended Speech:

…Your next steps doesn’t mean you have to write action plan for the next five years, you can simply write what are you going to do, what is your ideas which will tackle this issue so we can support your ideas.

11. Closing the OS event

In our practice, we have found that this closing become memorable when people connect face to face before they depart. Group activities like singing, dancing, skits and other games are cheering and people go back home with cherishing memories.