----- Original Message -----
From: "kerry napuk"
To: [email protected]
Subject: more givens again
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 20:58:06 +0000
>
> Harrison & co.
>
> I promised myself not to get snookered into this "givens" vortex
> again, but, alas, my willpower is weak.
>
> Taking Esther's point that it is easier to put everything on the
> table when dealing with community issues, we still cannot deny the
> spirit of Open Space, which, let's face it, fundamentally involves
> self determination and participatory democracy.
>
> If a sponsor ring fences an issue and eliminates discussion, it
> excludes people from considering what might be a very important
> burning issue. Stifling discussion is not the way to build
> understanding and acceptance let alone ownership.
>
> When given a rare chance to discuss important issues, our experience
> is that participants respect the opportunity and contribute
> positively to improve things, because, after all, they are
> stakeholders or they wouldn't be there. Let's not forget that the
> sponsor sets the theme and invites the audience to discuss it, but
> that's all they are suppose to do.
>
> If a sponsor has a lot of givens, we question how open they are about
> the exercise and whether or not we want to work with them. So, our
> approach is simple: we never discuss givens and they hardly ever
> arise. If a sponsor has a problem, we discuss it with the planning
> team. Our response, invariably is, if you want creativity and
> commitment, "trust the process" and "trust your people." These
> should be the only real givens in large group processes.
>
> Regards
>
> Kerry
> Open Futures
> Edinburgh
> www.openfutures.com
>
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Steve Cochran
Executive Director
Int'l Centre for Leadership Results,
in collaboration with Gettysburg College
Gettysburg PA 17325
717-486-4072
[email protected]
www.LeadershipResults.org
and
Interim Steward,
United States Partnership
for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
www.uspartnership.org
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