New member introduction

Harrison Owen hhowen at verizon.net
Wed Dec 14 06:10:27 PST 2005


From: Nancy Weatherhead [mailto:nweatherhead at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 8:34 AM
To: hhowen at verizon.net
Subject: Re: New member introduction

 

Hello everyone,

Harrison wrote:  'the effort is more about "unlearning" than learning'.

I am simply adding my voice to this sentiment.  My first experience of OST
was one of absolute recognition, joy in the simplicity and 'disbelief' (how
could it be this simple?!).  I had then to unravel many of my assumptions of
myself, ways of doing things and priorities... this has most definitely been
challenging and worthwhile... and... ongoing :)

Just enjoy this exploration,
Nancy


  _____  



From: Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net>
Reply-To: hhowen at verizon.net
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: New member introduction
Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 07:45:00 -0500
Cameron wrote: "What would you recommend focusing my precious study time on
considering that I am not a facilitator, nor do I really have any experience
in it(other than conducting meetings at work). I have met some
"facilitators" however, and am blown away at how, well, "easy" and smoothly
meaningful conversations happen in their hands. I wanna be like that!"

Cameron, it may well be that your fundamental advantage at the moment is
that you are NOT a facilitator. In working with folks over the years as they
move into Open Space it has become clear that a major portion of the effort
is more about "unlearning" than learning. The practice of Facilitation, as
it has evolved, is often understood to be the collection of various tools
and techniques that are then "done" to, or for, people. And the expert
Facilitator is understood to be the person with the biggest tool box. Such
people, when they show up at an Open Space training program, are usually
disappointed and sometimes quite miffed because it turns out that OS does
not fit comfortably into that tool box.

>From the beginning it has been clear that anybody with a good head and a
good heart can "do" Open Space, for it is less about technique than personal
authenticity. People who truly (authentically) possess a good head and a
good heart naturally create nutrient time/space in which others may realize
their dreams and aspirations, which usually takes place in deep and
authentic conversations with their fellows. The facilitator's role in OS is
less about doing than being. At a practical level, I have found it useful to
think of one more thing NOT to do each time I have the privilege of opening
space. Things have now gotten down to pretty much of the bare bones,
although I am sure there is more that I might let go of.

My suggestion to you is quite simple -- just read the book and do it. The
book in this case is "Open Space Technology: A User's guide."
(Berrett-Koehler,1997). Folks tell me that it provides just about all you
will need to know in order to get started. From there on out, the fun
begins. And while I think it is absolutely true that "anybody with a good
head and good heart" can "do" OS -- it may in fact take you a lifetime to
"be" it well. Certainly true for me.

Harrison

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS!!!!
hhowen at verizon.net
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, Maryland 20854
Phone 301-365-2093
Skype hhowen
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
Personal website www.ho-image.com
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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Kevin
Cameron
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 6:15 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: New member introduction

Thanks everyone for your reply.

I'm still trying to check out (I'm trying to force myself to stay
offline as much as possible when out of the office) all the links and
leads you guys sent.

@Patricia:

> This is the US response to the UN Decade that was launched just last March
- and initially
> introduced to the UN by the Japanese. The Partnership's international
liaison, Will Duggan (contact
> info on uspartnership.org site), can give you some contact names for
Japanese participants in the
> Decade - might be a good way to meet like-minded people.

Interesting that you should write this, before I got a "real job" I had
some fanciful ideas for on online (I was a web-developer before
sustainability geek) education community for sustainability. I'll have
to get in touch with them.


> I sparked to your message also because my son lives in Tokyo and I have
very much enjoyed visiting
> him.

If your ever back here, let me know. What is your son here for?

> I don't know if you encountered folk schools during your time in sweden,

not the school itself, but some very unique and impressive people who
have attended them, and played a little part in the potential planning
of a new one.

@Lisa:

> If you have the funds to travel for taking a workshop with others, you
> could ask the folks in Taiwan if they are giving a learning workshop
> soon. If you or a funding organization are interested, I can also come
> give a learning workshop in Tokyo

That sounds interesting. I have the funds to send me someplace else,
though Canada sounds more attractive than Taiwan (no offence, Taiwan)
but I doubt I have the funds to bring you here :). Unless I could swing
something with a client, which I will keep in the front of my mind...

>Before I walked into a workshop on Open Space where Harrison was
> teaching this marvelous method, I was a facilitator - I've been one for
> over 30 years. I have also been an interactive learning specialist
> (helping people who teach redesign their curriculum or learn how to
> teach using more participant-centered activities rather than lecturing).

What would you recommend focusing my precious study time on considering
that I am not a facilitator, nor do I really have any experience in it
(other than conducting meetings at work). I have met some "facilitators"
however, and am blown away at how, well, "easy" and smoothly meaningful
conversations happen in their hands. I wanna be like that!

@all:

I'm sure the answer is "word of mouth" and "building relationships", but
I still gotta ask, where do you folk's clients come from?

@Julie:

> to OST because it embraces many of the same assumptions that
> Transformative Mediation, which I practice, does.

Dang! Just one more thing I am compelled to research ;P

Cheers,
Kevin Cameron
http://www.bastish.net
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bastish/

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