A request - with thnaks

[Helen Patterson]

Hi Denis
Congratulations on your next challenge and adventure in facilitating Open
Space events.

We have been suggesting to the organisers of the Oceania Social Forum (to be
held in NZ later in the year) to run the event using Open Space
Technology....so far no bites ......maybe the Brisbane Social Forum will
assist in creating a shift of energy and thinking ....maybe some of the
organisers from here will attend and passion will be ignited......
Anyway we are keeping the space open for a yes by whatever means.

Best wishes for a "hot" event
Helen

----- Original Message -----
From: "Denis Cowan" <cowandp at bigpond.net.au>
To: <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 8:06 AM
Subject: Re: A request - with thnaks


> G'day folks.
>
> It is just after 4.30 am here in Brisbane.
>
> We are having one of those magnificent summer storms. A sign that El Nino
> has hopefully left us for awhile.  Though, when it leaves us it impacts on
> our colleagues on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
>
> I am hoping that it is still storming in an hour or so when I cycle off to
> work.
>
>   The responses were great.
>
> I have spoken to Alan and we have started planning already.  Alan has,
> fortunately,  already pushed my thinking out of my safety zone.Hopefully
> Mick will be able to make it up for the weekend.  Having spent good time
> with both Alan and Mick during my training has added to my excitement
about
> the process.
>
>   Thanks Lisa, Joelle, Harrison, Avner & Chris for your comments.  I am
> mulling them. The comments about the marketplace taking about the same
> amount of time & there usually being only limited  issues and
opportunities
> have also helped me clear my thinking.  The idea about the walls were
> great.  Also providing a sheet for people to fill in their own prog.
>
> The other comment I wanted to make about Open Space is that last year the
> planning committee had designed the 2 day event and then invited me in to
> run open space around it.  WE did some finetuning of the process and the
> outcome was as one would expect - trust the process.  I met with the
> committee for reflections after the event and they decided to use Open
> Space philosophies for their planning.  I will spend several meetings with
> them after the event to reflect on this. One of the organizing committee
> last year was a founder of Reverse Garbage here in Brisbane.  We had a lot
> of parkland available for sessions.  He brought lots of large items to use
> as symbols for space.  Instead of A,B,C etc we  had a toilet pedestal , an
> old telephone booth, a large plastic reindeer, a garden gnome.
>
> The same has happened this year.  The committee (all under 30 by the way -
> great energy and passion) learnt from last year and designed the forum
with
> guest speakers etc. in a way which enhances the use of open space.  They
> have developed their theme (An axis of hope), created  five spaces for
> sessions, created a forum for convergence and a space for closure. Their
> focus is on conversations and networking. They have only just asked me if
I
> would work with them again.
>
>   Thanks  again
>
>   Regards
>
> denis
> denis cowan , brisbane , australia.
> email:  cowandp at bigpond.net.au
>
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