Dear All,
Great to see the update from OsOnOs, so many interesting topics covered, I wish I was there! :-) One in particular resonated with some work which I have recently done: Exploring the use of OST in applied research convened by Debra Rosser Some background: In October 2004 I started to pull together a list of potential participants in a delphi study exploring 'facilitation in natural resource management'. By June 14th 2005 I had completed this delphi process and had acquired HEAPS of great data and learning, as well as experiencing the effects of a delphi approach to build a kind of virtual community. Early on in the delphi study a participant suggested that it would be great for everyone to meet up. Thinking more about this I felt it was not only an opportunity for other participants, but also one for me, as a researcher to really open up my research and explore and find out, really, what was going on in the 'experts' minds around this issue. Brian bainbridge was a great advisor for me and helped me to come up with a great theme of 'Ways to even better NRM facilitation' and facilitated the open space at the end of June. It was a really great day, with great outcomes. You mentioned: "And the chatting has always given me real insight into the research topic - often in tangents that I hadn't anticipated" This resonates, one participant brought out the concept of silence in facilitation and its power. Something quite tangential and also something which has had quite an impact on me.... So, yup! Go for it! It can work really well! Warm regards, Andrew -- Andrew Rixon B.Sc(hons) PhD Urban Water Infrastructure CSIRO- Manufacturing and Infrastructure Technology http://www.cmit.csiro.au P.O Box 56 (Graham Road), Highett, 3190, Victoria, Australia Tel: +61 3 9252 6363 Fax:+ 61 3 9252 6249 Mobile: 0400 352 809 Email: [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Alan Chilton Sent: Friday, 5 August 2005 8:23 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Update from OSonOS Halifax Greatings from Halifax everyone! Well, it was an amazing and rich first day here at OSonOS 13. I have the good fortune of delivering today's proceedings to you to read. I invite you to comment if you wish and contribute 'virtually' to the fruit of this conference. Here goes, in no particular order... Name of Topic: Exploring the use of OST in applied research Name of Convener: Debra Rosser Name of Participants: Silvana, Denise O'Connor, Evan, Donna, Michael, Harrison, Gabriela, John V, Rory B. Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: Why is this a good idea? Well, even when using traditional social research methods of literature review leading to structured interview, for example, I have had the experience that we end up chatting! And the chatting has always given me real insight into the research topic - often in tangents that I hadn't anticipated. So, going on from this...maybe there is some value in not only allowing (and encouraging!) people to speak with you about the questions they have in this area. Maybe there's even greater value in letting them ask and answer these questions in their own groups!!!! Without you!!! So...some wisdom from the group: * Generate the broad research question (from the literature review, from discussions with people 'in the know around here' etc) and tell people what it is you want to know/find out about. * The questions can thus be phrased in a way the participants (the subjects!) understand; they understand 'what works around here'. * The goal can be the answer to the research question (or broad parameters of such a thing!) but a 'collateral' goal can be the research process - ie the research process as a positive experience for the people involved. * In a multidisciplinary project, people from different backgrounds can bring different ideas/approaches to bear on the area of interest. * The challenge is documenting the data! Everyone has a wonderful idea! It is more like a story than a study! * The "backroom" is the place to identify the themes, correlate the data, etc. Have "two sets of books" in the backroom. The books you want to use for letting the world know what you've really learned...in the language you learned it (ie the passionate/subjective language of the participants!). And the books you want to use to communicate the information to the mainstream world (using the dispassionate/the 'objective' language of the mainstream discourse). BUT! Dare to be subversive through case studies; gently introducing the human through the language you use, the way you talk about what happened/what was discovered. * When using OST for research, maybe the best role for you is not as facilitator; you maybe need space to observe or even participate. * And you may seek to concentrate on observing the very rich space of the non-verbal. Where from here? * Read some critical discourse analysis - maybe Fairclough, Gee. * Read the work of Diane Vaughan - a sociologist who is introducing the idea that the subjective is ok to speak about/from in research. * Aim for a situation where you can say of your research, "The clients came! The kids came! We would never have thought of asking that!" * SHUT UP!! Try some of these exercises to keep people really engaging at non-verbal levels: o "Shut your eyes and your mouth and smell....what does it smell like here?" o "Shut your eyes and mouth and hear....groups resonate with their own 'music'...what is the music here?" o "What is the dance here? How are people going about?" o "Shut your eyes and mouth and think about the colours....what are the colours here?" Who could assist? * Evan will forward some info re critical discourse analysis. * We could have an email group to discuss research (this was not discussed by the group today). ****************************************************** Name of Topic: The Conscious Open Space Organization: leader, leadership, manager, management Name of Convener : Birgitt Williams Name of Participants: Many...and thank you all for being there and offering your insights and experience Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: Birgitt briefly described what a Conscious Open Space Organization (COSO) is (see www.genuinecontact.net <http://www.genuinecontact.net/> ). She then outlined that within the COSO, there are opportunities to be explored and worked through including understanding what the following are: leader and leader development, leadership development, manager, management. Leader development does not equal leadership development. Leadership is about leading people. Management is about managing processes, systems, 'things' but one does not manage people. People self manage. There is no need for managers of people in an organization. There is no need of supervision. It can be replaced by mentoring. Participants contributed the following: * this work in a COSO is about raising consciousness * the work of being in a COSO is leadership development * it is about changing culture and challenging oneself 'can I let go of control?' or 'can I let go of my perception that I am in control?' * how I am currently leading and managing won't take our organization to the next level of effectiveness so I must do this differently * when we work within a COSO, we end up finding new words to describe our emerging concepts. Our language mirrors how we look at things. * shift from 'leader' to 'leadership' is a shift from '"I am a leader" (solid) to something flexible/fluid * leader development is about skills development and self awareness enhancement * leadership development is about learning to be in relationship in a way that opens * leadership is constantly moving and noticing 'what is up?' and drawing it to attention to be explored * leadership does not exist outside of relationship * organize around what needs to be done rather than by organizational chart * everyone seeing themselves as leaders. One participant reported about the freedom of being in a matrixed organization in which there is constant assessment and adjustment to situations (Birgitt's note: one part of the dictionary definition of matrix is 'womb' and thus reflects the possibility of 'life nurturing') * in the COSO, even performance reviews and other standard organizational/HR functions must be explored so that 'form follows function'. A participant offered that in her organization, performance reviews that are about the past have been replaced with regular meetings that are future oriented * the structure does not define what is happening in the organization * even a single OST meeting, when the frame for it is set well, is authentic, and human and it is carried out with leadership being really behind a change/transformation can bring about organizational transformation....of course this needs to be supported by leadership post-OST meeting * there is a distinction between and OST meeting and OS and it is important to pay attention to this distinction. An organization might have an OST meeting and an OS way of being on an ongoing basis. In fact, in a COSO, there are frequent OST meetings and the balance of worklife needs to be in an Open Space spirit so that it is congruent with what is experienced in OST meetings. * when there is frequent use of OST in an organization, change happens, a different dynamic emerges. When this is recognized, and worked with consciously, a COSO emerges. This requires changes to structure, system, and so on. This change is from within the organization and the organization is therefore not usually resistant to it because it is driving its own change and it is doing so because it is organic and makes sense. This type of change has a different feel to it than change that is imposed from the outside. In between OST meetings, there is the 'Spirit of Open Space'. * When there is frequent use of OST and the organization in between OST meetings is unwilling to change, there is a real shut down, often employees quit, and in such cases the organization stops its use of OST meetings. ********************************************************** Name of Topic: Capturing and telling the story of the ripple effect of a large OST event. Name of Convener: Christine Whitney Sanchez Name of Participants: Bob Sullens, Becky Peterson, Tree Fitzpatric, Karen Black, Daniel Gigras, Larry Peterson, Brian Bainbridge, Diane Gibeault Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: BACKGROUND: In October 2005 at the Girl Scouts of the United States of America National Convention, Christine Whitney Sanchez and her business partner Claudia Haack will open the space for 2,000 National Delegates on the topic of governance. In addition, Strategy Cafés will invite the 12,000 convention attendees to share their food for thought on the Girl Scout's strategic priorities for transforming their organization and revitalizing the Girl Scout Movement. Christine would like to capture the ripple effect before, during and after the event of working with Open Space and World Cafe. KEY IDEAS: * Collaborate with a doctoral student interested in social change (in anthropology, sociology, OD or film) to document the process using narrative, photos and film. * Web storytelling could be used to invite participants at the event to talk about how the event touched them and what they have experienced since the event. * Follow-up AI interviews with the CEO and Board Chair, volunteers and girls about the changes they've seen * Create a practice within Girl Scouting (maybe create a badge for this) where GS tell their stories - constantly self-renewing. Stories coming in after the event could have a holographic effect. * Ask children for their ideas about how the ripple effect could be captured. * Set up a camera in Story Rooms where an interviewer asks 2 or 3 generative questions. ("Tell me a story about a highlight from this day...") Get their contact info for post event follow-up. * Check with Atlanta universities re: their partnership for using this type of documentation in teaching * This should be the Girl Scout's project - or partner with them * Ask participants to submit their digital photos with captions - could submit them to the web. * Ask people if they want to find out what happens - they will say yes, of course, but it generates a different kind of interest. * 45 minute video for teaching in universities - 15 min. planning, 15 min. event, 15 min. ripple effect. * Look at what parts of the US West video can inform one you want to make * Check with Dannemiller folks about their video on Whole Scale change * Late in the day, have big paper on wall for participants to write how this event affected them. * Volunteers who have been trained in OST and WC could hold OS events around the country to ask what the results have been in their local areas - this could also catalyze local action. * Poise delegates to make amendments from the floor during their business session to activate the suggestions from the OS and Strategy Cafes. * Pitch the video as a piece for o Marketing o Generating excitement o Case study - large scale change o "How we began to transform" for the next convention delegates to watch ahead Where from here? Who could assist? ********************************************************************************************** Name of Topic: Coaching/mentoring with leaders of an organization before/during &after an OS-meeting Name of Convener: Thomas Herrmann Name of Participants: Many - about 30 Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: We talked about different issues regarding this. There were experiences in the group of leaders in panic just before the event and also of leaders closing down after. We discussed having conversations before the actual pre-work in order to give the leaders the possibility of making an informed choice to use OST or not. One thing is to understand whole systems approaches/LargeGroupInverventions in respect to more linear approaches. Martin Leith has excellent info on his homepage. Other resources: A whole new mind (Daniel Pink) - describing the need for access to the right hemisphere/brain-thinking. 8th Habit, by Steven Covey where he describes the new paradigm / the whole person paradigm. This can lead into interesting conversations with the leadership team. Having access to the senior leader who is accountable to the results is important. May be written in the contract. Often leaders also wish to have some info about how OST works. Many of us think that it has to be experienced to understand. We discussed the possibility to have a pilot OS-meeting in the organization, or giving out the User's Guide and talk about it. Other options may be using a video or having some of the leaders attending another OS-meeting. The deeper essence can take a long time, if ever, to grasp. The state of being of the facilitator is an important aspect to be able to support the sponsor in an organization. What are my inner beliefs regarding different aspects in an organization/org. change, my role as a facilitator etc. Is it possible to assess if the organization/leader is ready? A process of mentoring all through the process can be one way to follow up continuously if we think we don't have the wisdom to make that judgement. One part of the mentoring process is the planning meeting as well as the follow-up meeting. Using participative processes for these meeting gives a whole experience of working with the wisdom of the group. Givens or non-negotiables may be worked out to define the space that is open for the participants. This may e g be financial issues/issues regarding decision-making etc. We also touched the question: When is OST appropriate? Importance of giving leadership time and space to slow down and reflect. Language can be adjusted according to which organization we meet. A new vocabulary will often evolve when deeper work is done within an org. ****************************************************************************************************** Name of Topic: The Dynamics of Conscious Emergence Name of Convener: Peggy Holman Name of Participants: Andre Chiasson, Eric Lilius, Eva P. Svensson, Marei Viele, Erich Kolensky, Kairi Birk, Joelle Everett, Chris Corrigan, Audrey Coward, Christopher Comeau, Paul Everett, Deirdre Knowles, Brunhild Hofmann, Robyn S. Berkessel, Alison Rose, Jacqueline Throop Robinson, Alan Chilton, Masud Sheika, Wendy Farmer-O'Neil, Ward Williams, Nancy Weatherhead, Ronit Kurz, Feliz Telek, Allison Hewitt, Larry Peterson, Doug Germann, Sherry Modrow Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: Model of conscious emergence - particularly useful when people are starting with fear, anger, conflict - brings an opportunity to ask powerful, appreciative questions People in fear bring with them hope and possibility Asking open questions that set conditions for divergence, rather than boundaries of form and structure - power, attraction, appreciation In conflict, people tend to be frozen because the fear of chaos means losing control >From the personal I: follow your heart Weaving within and creating a sense of connection To We and reflection Use silence Moving to Discovery~Personal~Universal~Emergence (part of a larger whole) Action -- Coherence -- Convergence When we discover that we all care about the same things we move into a place of coherence Essence of Open Space = taking responsibility for what I/We love Capacity to step into unknown comes through caring for ourselves, caring for the whole Consider implications of questions that close space and of questions that open space What do you care about? What if ...? I/We: what actions will we take as a group? What is more important than staying in the fear? Conversation needs to reflect the process Open Space makes community visible to itself Fabric of relationship and community - a place of letting go - recreate places in which to explore not knowing Emergence - a way to facilitate working with people who have different pieces of the whole - different parts of the view - we all have different pieces - the whole - the hole - perspectives Conscious emergence can provide a tangible framework, especially in topics of long-standing conflict within a group/community - The ordinary folks - people doing the work in an organization - don't need a model or "words" to describe emergence - they are happy when management "gets out of the way" and lets it happen Consciously shifting the nature of the question = appreciative inquiry Peggy's website has description of this model Also see: U.S. West video re: union/management negotiations Quotes: "In any organization, when the fabric of connection is lost, things start to fall apart." -Peggy Homan? "We have the experience of growing our (w)holes." -Chris Corrigan It is the edge of the earth-but it's okay." C. Corrigan "Nobody sees the whole-that's why we need multiple viewpoints." -Paul Everett "You need two eyes to measure parallax-then you can measure depth." C. Corrigan ******************************************************************************************************** Name of Topic: How can OS help with the integration of immigrants in our countries? Name of Convener: Barbara Schneider Name of Participants: Sheila, Masud, Thomas Herrmann, Michelle, Bill Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: In order to attract and retain immigrants we have to reduce fear and ignorance about other cultures by opening up a space for communication between locals and immigrants. In this space people can learn about each other's culture, religion and customs. We feel that many world religions have similar traits, but that most of us are insufficiently informed about these other religions. In the Toronto area Masud explained that World Religion is supposed to be offered in a Catholic school, but is not available in practice. Masud explained why he left his country. Although he had had a good life , he was concerned that his children would not be able to have the same quality of life. Michelle told us of a Centre in Ontario which has used OS in Health Care. This has given a voice to immigrants with low levels of English, who felt that they were finally being heard. The questions posed in the OS sessions were very authentic. OS was part of the strategic planning of the Centre. Another successful OS session was held on elder abuse with 4 different Asian cultures. The participants could put up the questions in their own languages and there were plenty of translators present. This seemed to be a key way for looking at age-old traditions which may be inappropriate in Canada. I (Barbara) explained that I had just co-designed and taught a course for Medical Interpreters in Halifax. This was an incredibly rewarding and moving experience, as each of the 20 participants had space during the 60 hour course to tell their own story. The group bonded very well and each and every one of them explained how rewarding it was to be able to help people coming to Canada, unable to get the medical care they required because they had little or no knowledge of English. We, the facilitators, felt we had learned so much by the end of the course. Where from here? "Envision" is a movement in Halifax which is trying to work on establishing meeting spaces for different groups of people to have conversations about their needs. So far there is one group meeting regularly in the South End and hopefully more will start up soon. Who could assist? Each individual, schools, universities, community groups, etc. ************************************************************************************************************ Name of Topic: GROWING THE SPIRIT OF OPEN SPACE Name of Convener: Fr BRIAN S BAINBRIDGE Name of Participants: Kairi, Ronit, Brunhild, Wendy, Diane, Masud, Erich, Christine, Paul, Doug, Joelle, Gabriela, Denise, Sheila, Michelle, Jacqueline, Deirdre, Lisa, Gernot, Carolyn. Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: Brian outlined a Bit of the importance of SPIRIT as to do with INSPIRATION, as needed beyond the PROCESS of OST, and that spirit is often carried by story - perhaps always. And the need to have sharing of stories and part of training and continuing training and development of OST people. He used a story from The World Bank about the gradual working together of delegates from Japan and Timor L'Este as a direct result of the Open Space Planning and program. Gabriela shared a story about young Berliners gathered together by the Berlin Philharmonic and a choreographer, working to develop a sense of community, and then discovering - after a time - that the choreographer had become very sick, recovered somewhat, and then wanted - in the closing Open Space - to raise a question and share his difficulty. But he found this very awkward, and was encouraged by Gabriela to raise the matter and then see what the group (without him) would do about it. The matter was to do with exhaustion and the depleted finances he had which prevented him from doing some of the things he was invited to do. The group chose to work on this and, when he returned later, he found a new energy and anew support for his work - and felt so much stronger for having shared the matter and so grateful for the support that the group was able to arrange. Lisa : a major Diocesan consultation in California, an old Monsignor who dozed and woke up at all the right time - trying to develop strategies for the future of the Church in that Diocese. They came up with 425 strategies, and need to get that down to 9?? Lisa found herself reminding them of their FAITH, of the SPIRT and of the need to trust God as the drive for the decisions they had to reach. They used dots (God dots) and one of the priests got everyone to deep breathe and then move to the wall. IT all worked marvelously. Joelle : Volunteers scared of cuts to their organization - an imposed downsize; a 2-day OST; end of Day 1, team had to be encouraged to trust the process, even though the members thought that the decisions had been made already; young man at start of Day 2 simply et up a Q & A session, and Director undertook to answer whatever could be answered; in a little while, questions stopped - young man asked the group if they had any other questions - and when no one answered said then all the questions must have been answered, so now they could get on with what mattered. The mood changed to positive and the results were marvelous. Esther talked about her very first OST with hospital finance group - all accountants. At end of Day 1, getting nowhere, reminded them to trust the process; next day people said these aren't the right topics, invited them to put up the right topics now, they did, the results were again amazing. Manager stated that he had learnt top trust the process - and the facilitator! Michelle : Training new OST practitioners - invites other experienced OST people to be there - and they shared this connection - and spirit shows up in the stories they then share - valuable to trainees AND to the experienced persons, as well. Book mentioned called THE HOLY INTIMACY OF STRANGERS - suggesting that often the OST environment allows total strangers to share in a special way that really matters. Michelle : topics in an OST can change as the program develops - and should be allowed for; in fact, it is the responsibility of those present to do just that. Underlines the importance of " letting go" . One sponsor seemed unprepared, after an excellent OST experience, to use OST again - but then explained that the subsequent important decisions could not have been made without the discussions in OST which actually determined what the group could then so. ************************************************************************************************************** Name of Topic: Moving Communities and their citizens from Powerlessness to Pride Using OST. Name of Convener: Chris Robertson Name of Participants: Esther Wendy Brian Rory Judy Brian Kerry Ronit Sonya Allie Silvano Michael Carolyn Doug Tracy Debra ...and others. Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: * Important to undertake process of healing first then engage in the planning process. * Identify what is already working well in the marginalized community and work with it. * Engage those who have been successful in the community in the OS discussions and its implementation. * Story telling an important component of dealing with a community's social issues and ills. * Unlocking emotional baggage requires bringing together and using the "experts of experience". * People who survive and overcome traumatic experiences tend to flourish personally. They can be active participants as well as facilitators in an OS t hat addresses sensitive issues. * Communities can the same way. * The quality of listening on behalf of the facilitator(s) is critical. * Anger needs to be spent, let out, released by those who hold it inn. It can invoke a powerful emotion that helps people receive and process information that liberates them from the stress of anger, pain and marginalization. * Marginalization is a persona emotion. Os allows people to see their own power. * When people talk about their experiences with other it validates what they have gone through. Where from here? Who could assist? ********************************************************************* Name of Topic: What are the possibilities of using Open Space Technology in the elementary school classroom? Name of Convener: Evan Throop Robinson Name of Participants: Vanessa, Michelle, Sonya, Henri, Bill, Raffi Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: Empowering Students * A new and wonderful way of using OST - students are open to new learnings * Students given a chance to speak - given their voice to be heard because they wan to be heard! * Students hear too often it's not the time - so when is the time? Learning is social interaction * Free from the stifling atmosphere of the traditional classroom environment * Students lack interaction because of media entertainment - they can develop communication skills with OST Modifications for children * What age should we start? Age 10? Is it too late already? Age 6? Already capable of understanding their own learning processes. * Some might need help getting their ideas down on paper - oral traditions in other countries - an oral process of communication Self-organized school curriculum * Students will learn what they need to learn in the context of their own interests Curriculum Purpose * What would be the theme of a classroom OST meeting? * What would participants bring to the question? * Need to have the right question * Is it voluntary? * Structure of teaching intertwined with OS First Steps * Start with classroom level with one classroom teacher * Allows for a bigger space to open for children to express their interests * Some time allocated for OS - Some time for instruction too * Start with small learning circle * Six year olds are very capable - they see and hear everything ESL teaching with OST * Learning happens despite teachers efforts * "sleeping teacher" * Pre-work - children would design course * Teacher is out of the way * OS principles used in language classroom * What are the steps to taking an entirely OST course in ESL? * What are the tools we use? * How do we learn/study a language? Creating a learning environment * Students become teachers and teachers become students * How do we change the dynamics of the students with the teacher? * Children need to be interacting 'differently' with each other * Hold a 'pointed' discussion - media issues, social studies * Counseling environment * Montessori methodology - Parents use OST as well Learning from pre-school age children * Observe a one-year old playing - learning * Start early rather than late in school * Build on Montessori methods * When it's over it's over for children * Pay attention to their energy as they shift their focus * Images before words * Playing is learning - how open is open? * Look at how much children learn before school - compare with what they 'learn' after ********************************************************************************************** Name of Topic: Open Space Institute (US) Annual Member Meeting Name of Convener: Peggy Holman Name of Participants: Patsy Murray, Tree Fitzpatrick, Kerry Napuk*, Karen Davis*, Doug German*, Lisa Heft *, Joelle Lyons Everett, Chris Corrigan, Brian Rogers [* = current Board members attending; absent Board members = Gabriel Shirley, Mikk Sarv, John Engle, Michael Herman] Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: The Open Space Institute of the US [OSI(US)] is a not for profit organization whose purpose is to promote and support the use and practice of Open Space Technology [OST] in the world. Members of OSI(US) live in many countries, and the Board of Directors of OSI(US) is also international. Our purpose is to be of service to the world. OSI(US) holds space for Open Space - through providing access to resources on Open Space (such as funding and administrating the http://www.openspaceworld.org <http://www.openspaceworld.org/> and http://www.openspaceworld.net <http://www.openspaceworld.net/> worldwide Open Space sites and establishing the OSLIST); through connecting individuals and groups to inform, inspire, mentor and sustain each other in opening and holding space; and through being an inclusive learning community. The Bylaws of the Open Space Institute will tell you more about OSI(US) - you can find these at http://www.openspaceworld.net <http://www.openspaceworld.net/> - [Lisa says: I was the notestaker for this session - I do not have the exact address but you can go to http://www.openspaceworld.net <http://www.openspaceworld.net/> and go I think to Open Space Institute (US) then Bylaws then Sandbox and at the bottom of the sandbox is the latest version of the Bylaws. If I'm wrong or if you have trouble, you can contact any member of the Board (see above) and together we will find them for you] See the chart Peggy has attached to see the accomplishments of the OSI(US) in this and past years. Among other things, in the past year-ish, OSI(US) has funded 60 Haitians for an OS on leadership, peace and democracy; with the assistance of our worldwide colleagues has added French & Turkish pages to the wiki (osworld) website; joined the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation; donated copies of Harrison's Practice of Peace book to prison libraries...and more. We discussed the financials for OSI(US) - if and when the need arises we are a potential energy -plus- a legal entity so we can raise funds as need and energy invite. The Board meets via one conference call a month and conducts its business in Open Space - indeed, OSI(US) is a fully Open Space organization. If you wish to be a Board member, simply let a current Board member know and we welcome you to join us. [see Board members' names above and remember, you can be from any country and be a Board member] One of the orders of business was to vote on the current, updated version of the Bylaws. Many heartfelt thanks to Karen Davis, and a huge big bow of gratitude to Kerry Napuk and Douglas German for their hard work updating, collecting comments and feedback on and putting together the updated Bylaws. A vote was taken - a majority of Board members were present [see above] - "Aye" votes to accept the new Bylaws: Peggy Holman, Kerry Napuk, Lisa Heft, Doug German. "Abstain" until she can read them: Karen Davis. Where from here? Coming up: the Open Space World Service Market - a virtual bulletin board / invitation for / marketplace of Open Space project / idea / event / resource needs and people interested in serving those needs. Michael Herman is creating the online site and will administer it. You will all be invited to post OS-oriented projects in need of support. OSI(US) is not sponsoring these requests or projects - though OSI(US) will continue to sponsor projects and people as it has been doing. This is a world community-held bulletin board that the world community - you - can post and respond to. Who could assist? Several OSI(US) Board members agreed to chat with representatives of the various OSIs around the world + the Open Space world map who are physically here at this OSonOS, to share about the OS World Service Market and discuss how to co-promote and help everyone use and find the OS World Service Market for mutual support. We invite you to contact any of us to ask us about the OSI(US), its activities and potential, and the Board. ********************************************************************************************************************* Report still being worked on !! Name of Topic: beliefs create reality - how can we create the reality we want by consciously working on our beliefs? Name of Convener: Marei Name of Participants: Esther, Robyn, Michael, Diane, Eric, Audrey, Newell, Sabine, Eva, Filiz, Cathy, Ward, Michelle, Carolynne, Allie, Ronit, Masud, Thomas, Bill, Gernot, and two others who`s names escaped me - sorry! Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: It's so helpful to raise personal awareness of our lenses and filters which determine how we experience the world. Working on beliefs with the management team as pre-work of an OST event very helpful for preparing it - aim towards "Who do we have the potential to become?" Difference between living a life as 'effected' or as 'cause' - even staying victimized is a choice. Where from here? Resources we shared with eachother: * Avatar -a course for learning tools which enable us to choose and create our beliefs and by that deliberately create our reality / more at www.avatarEPC.com <http://www.avatarepc.com/> or ask Marei [email protected] * 7 logical levels of thinking / Gregory Bateson and R. Dilts / ask Cathy C. * 7 languages of transformation / for more ask Esther Ewing * biology of perception; Psy K / for more ask Ward Williams Who could assist? see above *********************************************************************************************** Name of Topic: Real time coaching & learning in Open Space Name of Convener: Chris Corrigan Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: Diagram below (REMOVED FOR THE OSLIST -- Sorry) is the map of the coaching model. Based on four quadrants model by Ken Wilber with additional material by Angeles Arrien and Michael Herman. Ken Wilbur's model - understand right side quadrants through observation and left side through reflection Strategies: individual - personal inquiry collective - interpretive Observe: system - what do you see? Behaviors - what are people doing? Culture - what is happening in the groups? Intention - what has heart & meaning for you? (reflective) Quality of what's going on When you are a leader holding space, it's difficult to know if an event is going well. Must enter the process, be less reliant on measurement, more involved in process. Many leaders say they want to continue the spirit of OS - to do that they need to do more than observe, they need to participate in the groups. To use the matrix, observe in real time - list the observations, capturing it as you see it - observe first externally, then move to the internal quadrants. **************************************************************************************************** Name of Topic: Variations on a Theme - Is Open Space Finished or Can it Change? Name of Convener: Andre Chiasson Name of Participants: Tova, Erich, Jacqueline, Daniel, Donna, Karen, Christine, Brunhild, Christopher, Deirdre, Gernot Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: The question related to what is the essence of Open Space - is it the rules, processes, principles? Or is it the Opening of Space the where are the edges? 1. The idea of being a purist vs. the idea of not using Open Space. 2. In order to change what you are doing, you have to be a professional who knows what s/he is changing. 3. We need to maintain the essence of opening space. 4. Work from the essence not the form. 5. There is an interest in creating/sustaining more depth in conversations - one approach to this is the evening news which could be added at an appropriate time even if it wasn't the end of the day. The overnight often creates a change in atmosphere which will affect the depth of conversations. 6. What is the future? What will OST be like in 2025? What rituals will we still be using? 7. Open Space is an inherent human capacity. The process we use is one way to open space for participants - it works but probably is not the only way. OST invokes this capacity that we inherently possess. 8. Current instructions are great at divergence but we don't have good instructions for the convergence phase. 9. Open Space vs. Open Space Technology. There is a difference. OST is a way to open space. 10. A different quality to the space once it's opened. 11. The success or one measure of the value of OST is that many other processes i.e. AI use OST as a back end. 12. We have the instructions (rituals) as a process for removing barriers. 13. If we are coming from a place of wholeness we can't be derogatory. 14. Key elements include inviting (a sense of being), including (ongoing) and transparency. 15. Space opens in the heart of the sponsor. 16. It is a challenge to be a sponsor! The sponsor is the one left with the responsibility not the facilitator. Compassion for the sponsor. 17. Pre-work is critical. Many of the issues which we face can be lessened by dialogue prior to the session. If we need different perceptions in the room, we should invite them into the room. *************************************************************** Name of Topic: www.openspaceworldmap.org <http://www.openspaceworldmap.org/> A tool for even more interaction. Name of Convener: Michael Pannwitz jr. Name of Participants: Eddie, John, Tracy, (Kerry) and some bumblebees Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: Wonderful resource to find open space practitioners in countries around the world, with their contact details, websites etc. pp. and links to local and regional open space resources. Useful information that could be added in the form of new categories would be: Publications, a list that is continuously updated, Open space trainings around the world, Open space learning exchanges around the world, Success stories from open space, a link to the open space world service market. Where from here? Suggestions will be relayed to the host of the map. Who could assist? YOU are welcome to include yourself in the www.openspaceworldmap.org <http://www.openspaceworldmap.org/> For free courier service of inclusion fees please contact Michael Pannwitz jr. ******************************************************************************************************** Name of Topic: What are the questions I/we have? The conversations I/we would like to have? What I/we wish for Name of Convener: Raffi Aftandelian Name of Participants: Ward Williams, John V., Tree Fitzpatrick, Andre Chiasson Highlights of Brilliant Discussion: Participants had difficulty understanding the session, the point. A Whole Person Process Facilitation transfer-in was used in the beginning as a focusing activity. Its use did not seem appropriate according to the co-creator of the program. The intention was simply to create a catalog of questions, conversations, and things we wish for to return to later. It was not clear why this was important. There was a desire to find answers to questions. Raffi did generate a number of questions: 1. What are the limitations of the Genuine Contact Program? 2. What other programs are there out there that are similar to the Genuine Contact Program? 3. How can self-organizing be made to be self-organizing? 4. How might it be possible to facilitate the process by which OST clients write the marketing materials of an OST consulting company for free (precedents for this in OST meetings exist). 5. What is a good, reliable electronic discussion list resource? 6. A wish for: a Future Search meeting on the future of creation of an OST Facilitator Community (I feel that we are not yet an intentional community of OST facilitators) 7. Wish for a retreat center near Moscow. 8. Which other (human) resources exist out there for a global picture of Large Group Intervention Toys? 9. Is there a LGIT journal? 10. How can one attract workshop participants to events? 11. What will the LGIT landscape look like 20 years from now? 12. What would be the steps to building a model English as a Second Language course program (study in OST)? A first step for this is conceived in Moscow. Tentatively a Study of English and Teaching English Conference is scheduled... 13. What other approaches similar to Whole Person Process Facilitation exist? There are many more questions, wishes I have. But since the whole point of creating a "meta-marketplace" was lost. The momentum, and desire for creative work of the convenor plummeted. Whatever happens happens... Where from here? Try holding this session some other time...(this format has worked previously) Who could assist? Those willing to experiment with something even when the format was not entirely clear!! ********************************************************************************************************** END OF DAY 1 Warmly, Alan Chiltion * * ========================================================== [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 * * ========================================================== [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
