Yana,
I have never had the impression that "hot" or hidden issues were to be
kept aside in Open Space. Recognising what there is passion for and
being ultimately responsible for expressing that passion is the essence
of participation in Open Space. The choice to keep issues hidden is made
by participants because the perceived risk is too high.
To quote Harrison Owen
"Open Space is appropriate in situations where a major issue must be
resolved, characterized by high levels of complexity, high levels of
diversity (in terms of the people involved), the presence of potential
or actual conflict, and with a decision time of yesterday."
http://www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wiki.cgi?OpenSpaceElevatorSpeeches
The theme is a place to start, particularly at an OSONOS, where many of
the participants have expewrience with Open Space and are eager to dive in.
An OSONOS stirs up new stuff over the 2.5 days. The emerging group
energy nurtures new thoughts, feelings and relationships. The space
becomes increasingly open and safe. The NOW expands. Dreams are important.
At the OSONOS in Halifax, Judi Richardson opened the space and included
a suggestion that we bring forth whatever wants to speak.
What better invitation than that to bring forth whatever is hidden?
Ultimately, it comes down to feeling safe to risk bringing forth what
needs to be expressed.
Eric
Yana Demenko wrote:
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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