Visit the new World-wide Open Space web site

Thu Aug 19 09:00:55 PDT 1999

Barry, Peg, Koos, and Michael,
I have just checked out the whole site and think you've done a great job and
can only imagine how hard the work must have been to put it all together!!!!
A true thank you. The only thing I am not sure of is whether OST is about
self organizing systems and so I include my comments below to invite members
of the list to a discussion about this. Maybe I am just about to demonstrate
my lack of grasping self organizing systems......

I wish to use this site to start a discussion about self organizing systems
because OST is introduced on the site as being about self organizing
systems. When I was introduced to OST, it was about Spirit being given space
and time to be manifest in organizations (which I don't think is the same as
self organizing systems although I am happy to be challenged on this one if
I am on the wrong track). I want to come out clearly with my position at the
beginning---I do not believe that at this point in our human evolution that
we have self organizing systems (at least in my understanding of what a self
organizing system means) and I do not believe that Open Space Technology is
about self organizing systems. Blasphemy on this list serve, possibly!
Sometimes just because we say something is so, doesn't make it so.

Now, our new website says we are about self organizing systems. Do we really
know what they are? Are we fooling ourselves? Is it true? When I go through
the website itself, I see that although it would like to be---it is not a
self organizing system. There are "givens" that create the context for the
site and it looks like it has been set up to be self organizing within that
context, within those "givens". The "givens" as I see them include the
purpose of the site, the headings that have been created for us to access
and support with our information if we are moved to do so, the fact that
"initiators" of information posted are noted, the fact that there is a
webmaster and moderators, and so on. Even the choice of words like "open
space practitioner"---does this mean we are still practicing????? And the
choice of inviting local groups of practitioners to identify themselves
regarding new Open Space Institutes (and of course, I've raised before that
Institutes like us in Canada consider ourselves quite legitimate---whatever
that may be---even if we are not "formally chartered"----the only formally
chartered is in the US I believe). Where do the "givens" or
"non-negotiables" stop and where are we creating here from "assumptions" and
have we checked the assumptions or discussed them? Anyhow, the main point I
am trying to make is to raise for discussion the question of self organizing
systems and the role of OST in self organizing systems. Is the website
really an example of a self organizing system? Is OST really about self
organizing systems????? In my experience---the answer is NO. Whenever I have
used OST for a meeting, an event, the transformation of an existing
organization to operate as an Open Space Organization, or the emergence of a
new organization as an Open Space Organization, the totally human element
inclusive of spirit,  emotions, mental processes, and body come into play.
And although people are in the "now" they also bring the learnings from the
past and the dreams of the future---and someone or someones always work from
"givens" to create a context or field for operating in, and there are always
assumptions made from which operating decisions come. It seems to be the
human way.

I could have posted this set of queries as a discussion on the site. I chose
to post them on the list which I feel safer within to be me. Is it our
assumption that the list will continue, or is it the assumption that the
community here will instead communicate on the site?

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: Peg Holman, Open Space Institute [mailto:osi at tmn.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 1999 1:01 AM
To: Open Space Institute
Subject: Visit the new World-wide Open Space web site

To friends of Open Space everywhere,

Come visit our new home in cyberspace:  http://www.openspaceworld.org  It is
our invitation to you to participate in the what gives the Open Space
Institutes meaning: holding space for Open Space.  Whether for mutual
support and connection, mentoring or being mentored, learning or
contributing to OS research, or simply a place to send your friends, the web
site is there for you.

To that end, this site is as open to participation as we could make it.  For
example, take a look at stories and resources provided by OS practitioners.
Do you have a story or OS tool you'd like to share?  You can post it
yourself.

Or do you want to learn about OS trainings or events?  They're not only
listed, but if you are an OSI member, you can post them yourself.

Want to connect with an OS practitioner near you or who has expertise in a
particular area?  Check out the directory of friends and practitioners.  And
while you're there, add yourself to the list.

Need some resources on Open Space -- the User's Guide or the U S WEST video?
What's available for purchase is described online.  And if you're a member
with a related resource to sell, post it!

And of course, what Open Space is complete without an online marketplace?
Got something about OS to discuss, here's a place to do it.  A couple seeds
have been planted to start the conversation, but it won't grow without you.

This site is here in service to the Open Space community.  It helps to hold
the space for the OS community around the world, so come join us and send
your friends.

And please let us know what you think by contacting us at
webmaster at openspaceworld.org or osi at tmn.com

Yours, in Open Space,
Michael Herman, Peggy Holman, Barry Owen, and Koos de Heer
creators of the World-wide Open Space web site

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
Harrison Owen
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 1999 7:02 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Visit the new World-wide Open Space web site

At 09:59 PM 8/18/1999 -0700, you wrote:
>To friends of Open Space everywhere,
>
>Come visit our new home in cyberspace:  http://www.openspaceworld.org  It
is
>our invitation to you to participate in the what gives the Open Space
>Institutes meaning: holding space for Open Space.  Whether for mutual
>support and connection, mentoring or being mentored, learning or
>contributing to OS research, or simply a place to send your friends, the
web
>site is there for you.
******************************************
Congratualtions and thank yous to Peg, Barry, Michael and Koos. Terrific
job!

Harrison
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, MD  20854
USA

Summer address:
189 Beaucaire Ave.
RR Box 4248
Camden, ME
04843

Website www.tmn.com/~owen
Phone 301-469-9269
Fax 301-983-9314
Maine Phone 207-763-3261