is it still open?

[Chris Weaver]

hi kerry, chris, michael, harrison,

i'm enjoying the direction of your thoughts!

the type of givens i've found to be really useful are about things like the
terms of existing relationships with partner organizations (especially when
they are elegant!), previously-agreed-upon processes for organizational
decision-making (especially when they are elegant), purpose/mission statements
(especially when they are elegant), budgetary current realities (as opposed to
future restrictions), and, perhaps most of all, where accountability lies
(ESPECIALLY if it's elegant & open to conscious emergent flow).

in other words, the givens are not about restrictions to passion and
creativity, but rather about accurately conveying current reality.

in my experiences with open space, there is frequently a background level of
confusion & unstated assumptions around issues like these - i don't know if
i've ever experienced all participants to be on the same page. when the sponsor
reduces these parameters down to the absolute bare-bones (and i never do it any
other way), and they are shared at the start of an open space meeting as the
givens, i have felt (from many positions in the circle, in many of which i have
sat) a collective sigh of relief, which i translate as:  "halleluia, we don't
have to spend today wrestling blindly with assumptions - we can get right down
to our passionate work and focus on the theme at hand."

and if one of the givens calls out to be opened up in open space, then
wonderful - but it is a topic for another day (and perhaps even a different
sponsor).

kerry, i know you've opened up a lot of inspiring space in your part of the
world.  how does this resonate?

& i would also love to hear what michael pannwitz thinks - michael, you have
been a mentor to me in the way you honor the role of the sponsor.  do you use
givens?

chris

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