>From Michael M Pannwitz: > Dear Kerry, > why vote?
Ah, Michael, what a wonderful question! Why indeed? I cheer to hear you say: >...regard the result of the prioritisation (or consolidation) only as additional information about their system and not as the main basis for direct >action. Proposals for actions are invited after reading the proceedings or after the reading and prioritisation (or consolidation). It has been my belief for years that voting sets up a dynamic of taking people from an experience in another way of organizing back into the familiar. While it may make the trip home safer, it misses an opportunity for experiencing a whole shift in thinking about how decisions are made. Open Space invites alignment. It is not about consensus or majority rule but rather about passionate, responsible action that is informed by individual passion and responsibility coupled with an immersion into a collective inquiry that seems to create a greater sense of interdependence and alignment, even at times, collective consciousness. I can act alone or with others who are attracted to my proposal. I don't need permission. While this sounds like it could really get out of control, there does seem to be some sort of self-correcting force at work. I find stories hard to come by, perhaps in part because butterfly conversations may be a common place that someone lets go of an idea that may be well intentioned but not productive. Michael Pannwitz said: > I keep reminding myself that open space is an action and planning > methodology and a window opener to the open space nature of all > organisations and not a process of "democracy" (see Birgitts note on > democracy). I wonder if Open Space is a powerful expression of democracy? Open Space is grounded in passion and responsibility. I remember being taught that democracy is about freedom and responsibility. The first of the definitions from Birgitt (thank for them) is "government by the people, either directly or through elected representatives." In ongoing Open Space, is not taking responsible action on that which someone cares about in the context of a purpose and givens that interconnect participants an act of self-governance? > Peggy * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
