OS Institutes missions

Thu Dec 18 07:40:27 PST 2003

hello dominique, a few thoughts...

Dominique Proudhon wrote:
>
> What are the purpose and values of Open Space Institutes?
>
>

the osi-usa info of this kind is posted at
http://www.openspaceworld.org/wiki/wiki/wiki.cgi?OpenSpaceInstituteUSA

> As I am beginning to know you guys, I am kind of expecting a ?Whatever
> they are, is the only thing they could be?, so I guess these may be
> quite different from country to country?
>
> Since I?m starting from scratch on this, I only have so far:
>
> -         Promoting OS in all sorts of ways so people can hear about it,
> experiment it, and make it their own.

we've had some discussion within the osi-usa board about
promoting versus inviting and supporting.  i usually
hesitate to say promote because it sometimes means more
efforting and pushing than i associate with the practice of ost.

>
> -         Initiate OS events by supporting local initiatives, and giving
> people what they need to get going.
>

yep, inviting inviting.

> -         Gather and share OS experiences.

a lot of this can happen on the web, including a wiki web
site we could set up at http://www.openspaceworld.org for
french-language stories.  we have similar space for iberian
languages that artur runs.  he and others have expressed
interest in same space in french.

>
> -         Allow contacts and exchanges between OS practitioners.
>
> -         Allow exchanges between interested folks and practitioners

i would say "invite" rather than "allow" in both cases...
and now i notice/remember too that these things you're
saying here are in english and ultimately they won't be
<grin>  but 'allow' or the french equivalent implies some
power over another...

>
> -         ??
>
> Values:
>
> -         Allow experimentation and debate around OS practice
>
> -         Advocate for (and refine if needed) the OS process
> values/principles (free participation, equality between participants, no
> censure, group autonomy?)
>
> -         Free access to the technology by all interested
>
> -         No ownership of the technology
>
> -         ??
>
>
>
> If these are the values of OST (I may have misinterpreted them as I
> jumped in OS world with little reading/preparation), then to be congruent:
>
> - Access to resources should be free (i.e. no membership conditions)

i think 'no conditions' and 'free' are not quite right.
harrison has always said something like "yes it's free...
AND we ask that if you use it, you come back and tell the
story."  so there is at least one condition/contribution
requested.  osi-usa invites financial contributions, as well
and we are moving in the direction of a more liquid market
for projects and contributions, as more projects start
showing up.

>
> - Practice needs to be open to anyone (i.e. no certification training)
>
> - Trainings should be ?practice exchanges? for all who want to attend

we have done trainings in various ways, but they always seem
to have a good bit of OS in the middle of them.  btw, i've
just gotten off the phone with a client who might want me in
  paris in mid-january, if you wanted to do something, we
could work together while i was in your neighborhood.  but
first i'll have to confirm this bit of client work.

>
> - OSI would operate on donations and volunteering only.
>
> - OSI would not spend energy ?protecting? the ?integrity? (Isn?t that a
> Myth!) of the OS approach against those trying to trademark it or
> copyright it, but just trust that open availability and advocating of OS
> values will make it unprofitable to take OS on the competitive arena and
> prepare to be surprised with results?
>
>
>
> I am curious what you guys think?
>
>

i think others will have more to say about some of these,
too.  we'll see.  but you've got my two cents for now.

m

--

Michael Herman
Michael Herman Associates
300 West North Avenue #1105
Chicago IL 60610 USA
(312) 280-7838

http://www.michaelherman.com - consulting & publications
http://www.globalchicago.net - laboratory & playground
http://www.openspaceworld.org - worldwide open space

...inviting organization into movement

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>From  Thu Dec 18 16:39:54 2003
Message-Id: <THU.18.DEC.2003.163954.0000.>
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 16:39:54 -0000
Reply-To: martin at martinleith.com
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Martin Leith <martin at martinleith.com>
Subject: Nonviolent communication
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Great definition Brendan - thank you very much. I've added it to the "N"
section of my "Ncyclo" and given you a credit. See
www.martinleith.com/ncyclo/n.html#non_violent_communication.

Ncyclo is still very embryonic. If anyone has a term they'd like to see
included, please email me at martin at martinleith.com.

Martin

Please note new contact details:

Telephone: 0117 963 3555 (+44 117 963 3555)
Mobile: 07808 773713 (+44 7808 773713)
email: martin at martinleith.com
Movers and Shakers, 10 Pembroke Street, Bristol BS2 8PZ, United Kingdom
www.moversandshakers.ms
Free value creation resources: www.martinleith.com

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