Hi Gentza, thank you for the heartfelt and long feedback to us all. I encourage you to sit back, take a deep breath, and reflect is underneath all that you are saying, especially about what you would do differently. It would be helpful to reverse this and come up with a personal picture of what you would do.
If it was me, I would picture that the entire event from planning through to follow up is directed by spirit, with inspiration of everyone individually and collectively at play. Thinking of it as self organization is limiting, causing the power of OST to be less than what it is truly capable of. I would create pictures of co-creation, which is what is happening. Co-creation with each other, with the energy field of OST, with the collective...in the room and beyond. As the facilitator(s) our team always keeps to themselves during the OST. We have a special privilege as facilitators, staying neutral and also fully present to what we are there to do and to be. It is much like the work of a doula for the birthing mother (family). It is sacred work. in genuine contact, Birgitt [image: Picture] *Birgitt Williams* *Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants * *Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership development, and the benefits of nourishing a culture of leadership.* www.dalarinternational.com *Upcoming Workshops* *Whole Person Process Facilitation* | September 20, 21, 27 & 28, 2023 | Online *Individual Health and Balance* | November 24, December 1, 8 & 15, 2023 | Online *Strategic Planning the Genuine Contact Way *| January 8-13, 2024 | Online >> Learn More & Register <http://www.dalarinternational.com/upcoming-workshops/> for any of these workshops here. 16 Sunny Acres Dr., Etowah, North Carolina, USA 28729 Phone: 01-919-522-7750 Like us on Facebook <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG> Connect on LinkedIn <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG> On Mon, Sep 25, 2023 at 9:20 AM Lucas Cioffi via OSList <[email protected]> wrote: > Gentza, thank you so much for sharing so much of what you learned. > > I found this part to be very interesting: > >> I also felt strange around the bonfire on the grass, where we were having >> a good time to enjoy singing and stories. I felt as if I was seen different >> for my role or matters happened during OST time. > > > I wonder if any other facilitators have felt something similar when they > have been in social situations after an OST with their participants? Does > anyone have an explanation of why that might be? > > If I facilitate an open space, I do feel the need to keep separation. > When I was a military officer, I was not allowed to have a beer with the > soldiers after work. As an officer, I am not better; I am different. We > each have a different role to make the organization work. Often the > officer has to tell soldiers to do things that they do not want to do. As > OST facilitators, we do not often tell people to do things that they don't > want to do, but we do lead them by organizing them in a way that they would > not organize themselves if we were not present (such as "gather around in > this circle and here is how you can propose a session..."). If we didn't > do this, then the event would happen very differently. > > At International House (organized in New York by Karen Davis and Suzanne > Daigle) participants can be the facilitator for the opening or closing > session on day 1 or day 2, and they also will participate in the sessions. > That works great, because everyone knows that they are participants > stepping forward to take the role of OST facilitator for 10 minutes and > then they turn back into a participant. > > I'm just thinking out loud about OST and power here... > The OST facilitator has the responsibility to "hold the space". To do > that, they need power. The power is given to them by the participants for > that specific purpose when the event begins, after the facilitator has > demonstrated that they are competent enough to use that power wisely. The > facilitator shows that they are competent by setting up the room well and > starting the opening well. Power is earned every minute in a slow and > steady direction, as people settle into the space and become more > comfortable. The power must be earned by the facilitator from the > participants. You can imagine that if the facilitator was a nasty person, > all the participants would take that power away by walking out of the room > immediately. > > The facilitator has the power to stop anyone from behaving badly (such as > a participant taking the microphone in the closing session and talking for > 20 minutes) but they almost never have to do that because their power is > "baked back into the process" — the process sets everyone's expectations so > that they know that no one person should speak for 20 minutes at the > closing. The process has the power and the process uses that power the way > a magnet pulls in a paperclip. So a facilitator's power is not used on a > person directly but in an invisible way through the process. > > Does any of that make sense? I don't know, but I had fun thinking about > it and typing it out. > > A question for everyone — what are your stories related to OST and the > power of the facilitator? > > Lucas > > > > On Thu, Sep 21, 2023 at 4:51 AM AURTENETXE PILDAIN, Eleder via OSList < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> >> >> Hi folks, how are you? >> >> *(Sorry that I just unintentionally send the unfinished draft of this >> message)* >> >> >> >> >> >> I´m writing to repport some learnings and reflections from a 5 day Open >> Space we announced here some months ago, just in case its useful for you. >> >> >> >> It took place during a self managed fasting (with two options, 1. plain >> water and 2. fruits, juices, and vegetables; and everyone techno-fasting >> too ;-) week, in late July. The fasting week and all the process was >> really an *adventure* and gave us lots of things to think about. >> >> >> >> And yes, it´s happened to be * transformative* in many ways. Something >> to reccomend anyone. Just a fasting or semifasting week in a peaceful >> countryside is helpful. Combined with OS, the impact increased much more >> (people that are used to these experiences agreed on it). The main >> *promotors* are *delighted* with the results, and most of the *participants >> too*. Most of them expressed it very clearly ate the end and during the >> OS days. >> >> >> >> *Around 20 people* took part, six of which worked as a promotor group. >> Just two of us were familiar with Open Space, and just me was used to >> promote and facilitate OST. 7 out of 20 had taken part in and OST before, >> and just once. >> >> >> >> Madame *self-organization was all the time ruling*, sure, and there are >> lots of anecdotes on it. For example, due to fear, some people were very >> strict on saying to invitees that one shoud take part for the whole week, >> that poping in and out wasn´t ok,… Some people did not sign up due to that, >> and finally, among the participants all this issues happened during the >> week, people popped in and out following their wish, everything was ok. >> >> >> >> We the* sponsor team *had some* communication and personal style >> troubles*. Due to it my own *motivation decayed* along the previous >> process. I was feeling that it was being too complicated, doing too much, >> and so generating useless complications and then requiring extra efforts. >> In one point I decided to take more distance, let go of duties and worries, >> communicate that I would just take care of the facilitation during the OS >> on site. Two weeks before the meeting I was quiet certain that we wouldn´t >> really hold the OS, as we were just the sponsors and 3 more people signed >> up. One week later I knew yes, we would have the fasting week and the 5 >> day OS, with arund 20 people. >> >> >> >> *Some things I appreciated: * >> >> >> >> - during the opening/introduction OST: Even if oneself can think the >> explanation was very clear, *repeating* the most important of them in >> second and third days *morning news* helps people understand the >> principles, Tne *inercia* of other formal meetings all over our lives >> is so strong, that it takes time to do otherwise, I feel. >> >> >> - From Peggy Holman in WOSonOS 2022 Bilbao I learned that it´s >> interesting in many-days-OS, having the people who have proposed the 1st >> day issues for the 2nd, *re-read* it in 2nd day´s *morning news*. >> - I learned this time, that it´s good to make very clear each day >> that we focus to *propose issues for the day*, and that they can just >> write and post proposals for next days too. I find it helpful to maket he >> emphasis (mention just) on the day. Energy tended to disperse through >> thinking too far. >> >> >> >> - It was very fine *having and extra day* cohabiting the place after >> the OST (as you´ve seen I would propose 2-3 ost-2 for next year, with 2 >> “spare” days). The spare day(s) is in my view for a first *evaluation >> meeting* by the sponsor team, as we had quite many difficulties to >> meet, cause we were 6 people living far from one another. >> >> >> >> - It happened just in Basque *language* in this diglotical land where >> Spanish and French are much more used. This language treatment was >> the key factor for many participants to happily join us, as many >> feel a lack of public spaces in Basque. There are many collective >> fasting opportunities during summer here, mainly in other languages. >> >> >> >> - *A strong sense of family/community* was *developed* along the >> whole week. And a *clear will in many of them to build on* this >> community. In fact, last weeked some of them had a one day meeting >> with 2 very different aims: >> >> · learning about picking and cooking acorns >> >> · displaying a paper publication during the annual biggest Basque >> Books meeting, as they just do it online >> >> >> >> >> >> *Some things I would change future long OS meetings:* >> >> >> >> - As they have the clear intention to repeat and expand next year, >> and I don´t have it so clear, we agreed that I´m coaching and >> *accompanying >> some other people to learn facilitating*, so as s/he can do it next >> year. Ideally this ability will spread in the community during next years, >> instead of having the community depending on me. >> - *Two people* for facilitation would let us do it more easily, and >> would be a good learning practice for both. >> - Preparing and holding a 5 days OS was *phisically *a bit* hard* >> too. I recommended the team to offer the possibility to the facilitators >> to *have >> a near place* *to sleep appart* from the community, to have it easier >> to retire, relax and rest better (we were sharing the rooms with bunks). >> >> >> >> - A *shorter* formal OS would be prefferable: the schema of the >> fasting week would be 2-3-2 (instead of this year´s 1-5-1): 2 days for >> welcome and self organizing the place and preparing the OST -3 days OST-2 >> last days to say goodbye and rearrange the place. The 5 days seemed too >> long. Tiredness and lack of spark increased days 4 and 5. >> >> >> >> >> >> *Some other (small?) details:* >> >> - Due to the *troubles in the sponsor team* (March-July) we didn´t >> reach to have a cheerful agreement about the *invitation* and a >> joyous spreading of it. Doubts and fear were long in our company. And I >> myself was a bit disappointed on it. Anyway, it worked, the >> invitation was simple: fasting/Basque/community building, even if we >> didn´t >> get to express and expand it brightly. >> - After the experience, the main sponsors have a much *more clear >> comprehension and impetus* for next year. >> >> >> - Sometimes I felt *confused*. I was being part of the community and >> was also having a clear * role as facilitator*. I felt some days in >> the morning news this mix made it flow less easily than other times. I >> also >> felt *strange* around the bonfire on the grass, where we hace good >> time to enjoy singing and stories. I felt as if I was seen different for >> my >> role or matters happened during OST time. >> - During my last OS experiences I realize that nowadays, in the urban >> context, it´s very *difficult to take part in a team fluidly if you >> aren´t using a smartphone*. The e-mail and telephone combination >> seems unsufficient for most people here. The pressure becomes bigger and >> bigger (or the acceptance that there´ll be communication and team building >> gaps). >> >> >> >> My friend, this repport took quite long. So, if you have read till here, >> it makes me happy to haven written so long. I´ve been keeping in mind to >> share about this my longest OST experience all the time since July. >> >> >> >> Enjoy this rainy (in Bilbao) equinox day, >> >> >> >> Gentza Eleder >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> ------- Forwarded Message ------- >> De: Thomas Herrmann <[email protected]> >> Data: em segunda-feira, 23 de janeiro de 2023 às 21:00 >> Assunto: Re: [OSList] Re: Long Open Space during a Fasting Week_21-27th >> July, 2023_Basque Country >> Para: Gentza Eleder <[email protected]> >> >> Wow dear Genza Elderer >> >> What a wonderful, powerful initiative! >> >> I wish I vould come >> >> I look forward to hearing your stories! >> >> Wishing you a grand journey >> >> Thomas >> >> >> >> Skickat från Outlook för iOS >> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/aka.ms/o0ukef__;!!D5mp3PWONmH39b4!DmD3qv604BpnVWQVNE91qHBfD0YkTDSzuCyEHMUO92aW_pGmZC8YOiljqPq68npl7GyqudsDmKPmlGMx-afWIadpt2ydE9zeyqI$> >> ------------------------------ >> >> *Från:* Gentza Eleder <[email protected]> >> *Skickat:* Monday, January 23, 2023 7:37:58 PM >> *Till:* Thomas Herrmann <[email protected]> >> *Ämne:* Re: [OSList] Re: Long Open Space during a Fasting Week_21-27th >> July, 2023_Basque Country >> >> >> >> Good point, Thomas! >> >> We ate tasty and aboundant in Ws 2022, really ;-)! >> >> Many people could have even dinner afterwards with the splendid rests! >> >> >> >> These people convening the fasting week and 5 day Ws in July 23 >> >> are vey conscious of the benefits and ways of fasting. >> >> It'll be my first long fasting. >> >> There will be an option to be taking just juices and liquids, too, >> >> Participants will be preparing themselves one week before >> >> eating less and less on their own homes, >> >> guided by typical ways to do it. >> >> >> >> It's remarkable, that it will also be a technology fasting. >> >> With no samrtphones nor cameras,... >> >> >> >> Anyway, notes are planned to be taken >> >> and shared on walls there. >> >> And a repport will also be done and distributed >> >> after the event. >> >> >> >> Organizers got a wonderful farmhouse in an idilic countrysude >> >> and a really good prize. >> >> Organization will be supported by volunteers >> >> and each participant will be paying around 10 € per day. >> >> Those that will be taking part for 7 days or almost, >> >> will be priorized if we were full >> >> >> >> Those are general ideas now. >> >> >> >> We'll see what happens. >> >> >> >> Sure, you are super invited, Thomas, >> >> and you'll have and extra holidays time >> >> at locals friends'homes >> >> to recover enjoying local food before leaving back >> >> in you motorbike, >> >> >> >> renewed and full of inspiration ;-)! >> >> >> >> A big hug! >> >> >> >> >> >> Gentza Eleder Aurtenetxe Pildain >> >> BuM_31 unJobbing >> >> Mundaka >> >> (+0034) 638.733.223 >> >> >> >> >> >> Sent with Proton Mail >> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/proton.me/__;!!D5mp3PWONmH39b4!DmD3qv604BpnVWQVNE91qHBfD0YkTDSzuCyEHMUO92aW_pGmZC8YOiljqPq68npl7GyqudsDmKPmlGMx-afWIadpt2ydpUfQCRM$> >> secure email. >> >> >> >> ------- Original Message ------- >> On sexta-feira, 20 de janeiro de 2023 às 19:37, Thomas Herrmann via >> OSList <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Wow Genza Elderer >> >> So good to hear from you. I guess this Open Space is the opposite to the >> one you hosted (WOSonOS) where we enjoyed eating so much. If that’s your >> everyday life I do understand you need a 5 day fasting every now and then >> 😊 <joke> >> >> >> >> I would love to get on the motorbike and join you and I would love to >> hear basque for a week ❤ >> >> Wishing you continuous good planning. >> >> With love and appreciation for all you open space for in the world. >> >> THomas >> >> >> >> *Från:* Gentza Eleder via OSList <[email protected]> >> *Skickat:* den 17 januari 2023 21:04 >> *Till:* Open Space Listserv <[email protected]> >> *Ämne:* [OSList] Long Open Space during a Fasting Week_21-27th July, >> 2023_Basque Country >> >> >> >> Hello dear friends! >> >> >> >> Last september, during GiGi Mundiala/WOSonOS 2022 in Bilbao, in the >> previous Open Space on "Complex times, how do we go ahead in collaborative >> ways?" (26-27 Sept 2022) >> >> a group of passionated people started a conversation on a very specific >> action: "How can we prepare a fasting week for next summer?" >> >> >> >> We are now glad to announce that the plan is going ahead. This makes the >> past GiGi adventure even more fullfilling! >> >> >> >> Conveners plan to spend one week fasting on a farmhouse during 21-28th of >> July 2023, in which communication language will be Basque (this would >> normally not happen, being a diglotical situation, in which, at the end, >> those meetings most of times happen mainly in Spanish. Their goal is to do >> it in Basque to expand the usage field of the local language). >> >> >> >> The issue for the OS is not fixed yet. >> >> >> >> I have never facilitated this kind of OS, with those 3 features: >> >> a. participants willl most of them be fasting, with a doctor taking care >> of health/nutritional needs >> >> b. the promotors have in mind a long OS (around 5 days?) >> >> c. I suppose we'll convene the OS with the really important issues in life >> >> >> >> And I'm excited about it! >> >> >> >> Any input is welcome! >> >> >> >> A big hug for al, >> >> >> >> Gentza Eleder Aurtenetxe Pildain >> >> BuM_31 unJobbing >> >> Mundaka >> >> (+0034) 638.733.223 >> >> >> >> ps. Just profiting this message to the world, one small question and >> suggestion: would you recommend us any radio station in your area (lately >> I tend to explore this treasure called Radio Garden >> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/radio.garden/__;!!D5mp3PWONmH39b4!DmD3qv604BpnVWQVNE91qHBfD0YkTDSzuCyEHMUO92aW_pGmZC8YOiljqPq68npl7GyqudsDmKPmlGMx-afWIadpt2yd-z_4LF0$> >> )? >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> *LEGEZKO ABISUA*.- Mezu elektroniko honetako informazioa jasotzaile gisa >> ageri den(ar) entzat baino ez da. Mezu elektroniko honetako eta berari >> erantsitako fitxategietako informazioa isilpean eduki behar da edota >> jabetza intelektualaren gaineko legeen eta beste legeen babespean dago. >> Mezu honek ez dio ezartzen inolako konpromisorik bidaltzaileari, berak eta >> jasotzaileak, aldez aurretik, berariazko idatzizko itunaren bidez besterik >> hitzartu ezean. Errakuntzaren bat dela-eta mezu hau jasotzen baduzu, bertan >> jarritako jasotzailea ez izan arren, jakinarazi ahalik azkarren >> bidaltzaileari, mesedez ([email protected]) <[email protected]> eta >> gero ezabatu erabat. 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