Yes, Chris, on the one hand, you are right ... Whatever needs to happen will
happen during the OSonOS and sometimes there is no need in posting the
theme. But worldwide OS community is transforming all the time. IMHO, today
we got a lot of "hot" and hidden issues inside. To hide them for now is not
a constructive way. Don't you think so? Why not to put them on the board and
start to talk about? I think that OSonOS is a right time for that kind of
issues.
Just for example ... have a look on the table of content of 15th WOSonOS's
book of proceedings (there was the theme as you know). And what do you see?
Issue #1 - A different way of training for OS facilitators. Go to that
particular page and you will see a bit more! People from Eastern Europe,
Asia, Canada and Australia are talking about "schools" differences. I think
it is a good result of using the theme.
Has it a chance to appear without a theme? Maybe :) but there were also some
"peacemaking goals" of the hosting team ;)
Best,
Yana Demenko
[post] p.o.box 4-?, Kyiv-1, 01001, Ukraine
[e-mail] [email protected]
[web] www.demenko.info
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Corrigan
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 9:37 PM
Subject: Re: The Theme
Sometimes the theme is important, for a certain focus, for work that is
directed to fairly concrete results. For open conferences though, I can't
remember the themes of any of the conferences I have been at, let alone the
ones in Open Space. It's interesting that despite weak themes, people come
anyway. Open Space is then perfect in this situation. I always invite
people in the opening circle to simply connect with the energy that brought
them to the gathering and see if there is a compelling question that they
are willing to host a conversation around.
I have to admit a rather nagging frustration with conference organizers who
insist on action outcomes from meetings that are poorly planned. There is
nothing wrong with a conference being an open learning experience.
Conferences are not the same thing as organizing meetings.
My basic template for OSOnOS is simply this: open space for 2.5 days.
Whatever needs to happen will happen. At the OSonOS meetings I have been a
part of, it's the quality of the interaction that matters, not the focus on
notes, or action planning. Just being with others, enjoying each other's
company and learning a few new things is enough for me.
In this case then, it makes all kinds of sense to have an invitation that is
light on the theme and heavy on the "look who is coming" part. Having a
website set up with an RSS feed to continue to update people about the
conference as the plan is unfolding is a useful idea. As people confirm,
you post their names to the site and it inspires others to come. Once
everyone is in the room, open space and get out of the way. What could be
simpler?
Chris
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