Incorporating ideas from people who cannot participate????

[Robert F. Chaffe]

Hi
As part of a recent open space event that involved people from all over Australia who
work in rural areas we ran a virtual forum or open space event about forum weeks before
the event and then continued the virtual forum after the event.  If you would like to
see what happened take a look at "www.soil-water.org.au"  under PMP Forum.

This sparked off a number of issues and conversations both of the web page and on at
least two other lists.

The site was made open to all who wished to come.  And they came and they were the right
people.  One Farmer who could not attend the face to face conference was very frustrated
that he had not got an answer to his proposal.  He rang me, I was able to direct him to
the proceedings all 84 papers which did try to answer his question.  He has not back to
me yet - still reading between milkings.

The event when very well and you may wish to look at the images created by a
professional illustrator.   These illustrations became part of the proceedings and did
add considerably to the formation of the conference community.

END

Regards
Rob
"If you can't see the bright side, polish the dull side."