CPSI

[Sheila T. Isakson]

Linda,
      Your description of CPSI was accurate and I agree that the "feel"
is similar to OS.  I also agree that it is very difficult to do both as a
double header....for reasons that include travel and pacing what is being
learned.  Recently I have chosen to attend OT and find that what I learn
keeps me going for some time.  Next year the OT will be in Vermont, which
might make the travel issue easier to do both.  Thanks for the insights
that you provided.

Sheila Isakson
Isakson at Juno.com




On Thu, 1 Jul 1999 16:28:03 -0400 Linda Starodub
<linda.starodub at undp.org> writes:
>Murli and others re CPSI:
> -- I attended my first OT in 1995 and my first CPSI in 1996. I do not
>recommend the double header I tried in 1997 -- a week at CPSI end
>June,
>followed a few days later by the traditional July weekend at OT. It
>was
>really too much for this poor ol'brain to absorb in such a short time
>span!!
>
>For me OT and CPSI have a lot of the same "feel", but with a lot of
>differences in context and activities. I have occasionally described
>CPSI to OS folks -- as OS with a catalogue instead of a community
>bulletin board. People post their offerings in the catalogue -- there
>is
>a time and a space - and you decide to go or not. Except for sessions
>where convenors state otherwise -- the law of two feet generally
>applies
>without it being stated. Of course it's hard to adhere to "it starts
>when it starts and it's over when it's over" when there's another
>group
>waiting for the space - but it usually works out. Of course there are
>the dreaded evaluation forms which you can always ignore. There is
>even
>something called night flights - where people post new offerings (that
>are not in the catalogue) quite literally on a community bulletin
>board
>- OS sessions without the circle announcement…
>
>The 900+ people attending make it more difficult -- but certainly not
>impossible -- to make connections and self-organize. This is helped by
>the "home" groups that meet mornings of the first part of the week
>around a range of fun themes. Newcomers attend what is known as the
>Springboard group which is an intro to the Creative Problem Solving
>Process -- a sort of multi-stage divergent/convergent model that is
>presented in ways that appeal to all  kinds of learners (kinesthetic,
>spatial etc.) The whole mood is heightened by a disproportionately
>large
>contingent of Brazilians that flock there each year (many of whom
>speak
>little or no English and seem to get along just famously). They bring
>wonderful music and dance filled offerings - as well as a lot of ad
>hoc
>music. Lots of folks from all over Europe and farther afield come as
>well.
>
>In many ways it really is like an international adult summer camp - a
>little something for everyone. And lots of butterfly space. CPSI is
>held
>in the confounding maze of a sixties era university campus in suburban
>Buffalo. We are told that it was deliberately designed to confuse
>people
>- as a way of dissuading potential student riots. So many are found
>perpetually wandering around (even after a few days there) trying
>hopelessly to find dorms and session rooms. Somehow it's all part of
>the
>CPSI experience - along with the long cafeteria l;ines where you meet
>up
>with folks, and the sufi dancing under the stars and walking the
>labyrinth on the lawn - for those so inclined.
>
>All in all - quite a tolerable and even enjoyable sort of conference
>for
>those of us who have been "spoiled" by meeting in Open Space. So if
>appeals check it out next June - or look into winterfest….
>
>linda.starodub at undp.org