One opens, another closes

[Birgitt Bolton]

Hi Jay,
I think it all depends on what one thinks Open Space is. If it is just form,
then maybe it doesn't matter whether the person who opens the space is there
or not throughout and at the closing.

if it is about essence, and about honouring the manifestation of Spirit,
which it is for me, then I show my honouring and my humility by showing up
and being fully present. to the whole thing. Before it starts and beyond,
creating a frequency of Love to the best of my ability and to Spirit working
through me. This is sacred work as far as I'm concerned and we have the
privilege of being allowed to do it.

A close friend recently gave me feedback on what the facilitator does, after
I explained to him what I do. I said, it doesn't appear like much, after
going through the form stuff. He said that in fact I do alot when I open
space. "You are the gatekeeper of harmonic frequency". He was right in my
opinion. Not a job to be taken lightly.

Warmest regards,
Birgitt

Birgitt Bolton of Dalar Associates
www.openspacetechnology.com
55 Ravina Cres., Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
 L9G 2E8
phone: 905-648-5775  fax: 905-648-2262

-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of Jay
Vogt
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 1999 12:12 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: One opens, another closes


Greetings:
Two colleagues (who have just heard about open space) recently asked me to
open a four hour open space gathering they are organizing of about 60 - 70
persons interesting in exploring topics related to professional coaching -
essentially a short networking conference.

They have no funds to offer to pay my time, so they suggested that I open
the
space, and then depart.  They offered to close the space at the end.

For me, the contribution of my time is not the issue.  I periodically
contribute my services as an open space facilitator to worthy groups.

What I find interesting are the questions posed by their comments:
What's the impact if one person opens the space, and another closes it?
What's the impact if we open as a team, and the lead member of the team is
not present at the close?
Do I have a responsibility as a facilitator to see it that every space I
open
is closed with integrity?

Welcome your thoughts, Jay