What are the unstated assumptions and aims of OS?

Winston Kinch kinch at rogers.com
Sun Oct 13 02:54:14 PDT 2002


Bravo Larry. With you all the way on your observations here..
wk

----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry Peterson" <larry at spiritedorg.com>
To: <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
Sent: Saturday, October 12, 2002 11:48 AM
Subject: Re: What are the unstated assumptions and aims of OS?


> I agree with many of the comments thus far, that the implications and
> philosophy of Open Space informs my life as well as the way I
> "facilitate" meetings.   In Harrison's new book, he talks about the
> "Open Space Mentality" as well as the "Technology".  I have been part of
> events where folks, even Harrison, did not follow much "ritual" but
> basically said, you know the principles and law, there are the post-its,
> go for it.  It can work with people who connect to what OST is about.
> It is confusing for those who do not.
>
> I do think the ritual that I have learned to use enables me and most
> groups to engage the energy in the situation.  (After the sponsor sets
> the context within which space is opened.)  It does take 15 minutes or
> so and the wall and size of the group can take it up to an hour.
>
> I have also found that a meeting space for any group over 25 or so that
> is less than 3 hours does not feel as much like open space.  I have used
> an "adaptation" in 1.5 hours with one round of discussion a guided
> self-imitation process for groups and brief closing.  This has always
> led to successful discussion and more energy than other ways of doing
> it.  I think it is done in the Open Space "Mentality" or spirit.
> However, the group knows that I am up there, ready to guide them again
> in a brief time.
>
> I don't think a group that is still "new" to OS (or still coming from
> another worldview even if they have done it many times) really takes
> ownership of the agenda, the flow and is able to live out the principles
> and law in less than 4 hours to a day.  I don't think the new group
> really experiences being in charge but still believes the "facilitator"
> is managing the thing with out sufficient time/space to experience a
> different kind of meeting.  This is not to say that it doesn't "work"
> for folks, the facilitator or the agenda.  I just think there is
> another, deeper level of experience that can happen with more time --
> and even deeper with evening and morning news and overnight.  This aim
> or assumption is there for me, often stated with a client.
>
> Larry
>

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