In 1985 the first Open Space happened in Monterey California. This year (in case you haven't noticed) is 2005. In short OS has been around for 20 years (not counting the 14,000,000,000 years previously). So what have we learned?
This is not an idle question. A recent publication of the American journal, JABS - otherwise known as the "Journal of Applied Behavioral Science" offered a "special issue" dealing with Large Group Interventions. All the usual suspects appeared, but somehow Open Space was among the missing. One of the editors, Barbara Bunker, who is definitely an acquaintance, and I would consider a friend - told me that they had advertised for "papers" - including the "OS Network" - and nothing showed up. Frankly, I don't recall seeing anything, but my eyesight is getting pretty cloudy. Anyhow, I feel inspired to ask a question - What have we learned? This is not about making a special edition of JABS. And for sure it is not about "sour grapes" because we were not really present in JABS. It is all about a genuine question - What have we learned???? My hope would be to inspire/goad/embarrass/encourage each one of you to reflect of the past 20 years (or at least that part of the 20 years in which you participated in the OS community) - and offer up your understanding of what you, personally, have learned - about Open Space, yourself in Open Space, about organizations in Open Space. And of course anything else you choose to share. I would hope that we would hear from more than the usual suspects. This is a call to all you Lurkers! Last time I checked there were some 440 folks on OSLIST. Not everybody has been heard from! Now would be a good time to break the silence!!! And although it is doubtless Politically Incorrect - I suggest a rule for our discussion. Pretend this is a closing circle, and we are passing the Talking Stick. Take a moment, maybe even a LONG moment (days/weeks) to reflect on what you have learned, and then talk as long as you want. And not just the "good stuff" - the pain and disillusionment as well, if that is your story. You have the stick! And please NO COMENTARY! I suggest that we just let this roll without response - just like a Closing Circle. In August we will gather for OSONOS in Halifax. That gathering will be a lot of things - but one of the things it WILL be is a celebration of 20 years in Open Space. I can think of no greater birthday present from everybody to everybody than a reasoned, articulate description of what we have learned in the 20 years on the journey. Harrison Ps Assuming we have really learned something and manage to give that learning expression, there is no doubt in my mind that a copy of our Collected Works would be fun to read. ho Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, Maryland 20845 Phone 301-365-2093 Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com <http://www.openspaceworld.com/> Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
