I want to report some exciting momentum that is continuing to build in Ontario, Canada (and I think across Canada with Open Space). So much has been happing or is to come in the next two months that I have not had time to write stories.
For example, Sharon King has brought me in to one large provincial ministry (with some others following behind) which is Opening Space for various types of gatherings, from financial planning, IT implementation, cross jurisdictional community building, establishing communities of practice with regard to agility. One group is looking at Open Space every 2 months. Another for forums involving business and government across the province. One will likely be a 400 person event for all the employees in an IT project. A key transformational leader in the government systems is developing a community "organism" between government and business to ensure ubiquitous electronic interaction with a philosophy similar to Dee Hock and VISA. Open Space has helped that community get started. I expect this to be a most interesting journey. In addition, the calls keep coming in of people wanting to Open Space and I know Diane Gibeault and others are experiencing some of the same. People who have experienced Open Space or heard about it are calling from fascinating locations to explore or develop Open Space: Educational associations, Colleges of health practioners, Police finance departments. The Governor General's Y2K study conference next month will include 1.5 days in Open Space with Diane Gibeault and I facilitating. In addition, an organizaiton focused on housing the homeless is doing an Open Space on gay positive housing for homeless youth next weekend. I just completed a pre-conference workshop for IAF on how Open Space transforms our understanding of facilitation. It was a bit too far out for them, but 8 hardy folks came and most of them were not going to the rest of the conference. Again Open Space worked when I wasn't sure. After developing a joint theme (the way we have done at the OSI part of OSonOS) the group went for an afternoon and the next morning in Open Space. The overnight was critical to the breakthroughs. The ah ha's that next morning were the high point and the reflection with me for the afternoon was part of the "translation" rather than the "experience" but most were eager for that after the experience. A culture of exploring Open Space seems to be emerging in Ontario and I think across Canada. For me the key is helping key leaders and organizations being to really learn what is possible for the experience of Open Space and shift toward self-organizing, spirited organizations. I find Dee Hock's book, The Chaordic Age, full of great insights and it doesn't hurt that it is VISA he is describing. Is my optimism off the wall this Friday evening?? Could be I'm just over tired but I sense that something is happening. Larry Larry Peterson Associates in Transformation 41 Appleton Ave., Toronto, ON, Canada, M6E 3A4 Tel:/Fax: 416-653-4829 [email protected] http://www.inforamp.net/~lpasoc
