Evaluations of Open Space in Novi Sad, Serbia
Elwin and Joan
elwinandjoan at yahoo.com
Sun Apr 2 15:30:05 PDT 2006
Birgitt-
For some reason I have never figured out this thing called "givens." So
the best I can do is to give you a copy of what I wrote as the
Invitation to the Conference. For me, that is the given.
The Invitation tried to capture what I learned in discussions with the
Project Director. he hired and paid me. In short, the objective was to
get 100 people with a common interest together and Open Space in the
hope that they would develop some strategy to sustain their activities
after USAID is gone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the Invite: (Followed by my evaluation response.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Managing the Future of Our Festivals"
You are invited to join 100 colleagues for a 2 1/2 day conference to
create a plan to ensure that Serbia’s cultural heritage will continue
to be shared with the world.
It is an opportunity for you to discuss, plan, and organize the
management of Serbia’s festivals and fairs at the village and national
level.
The Conference will have a professional facilitator.
However, YOU will create the conference agenda.
YOU will decide what needs to be discussed.
YOU will conduct the workshop meetings.
YOU will write and publish the plan.
This unique conference methodology has produced outstanding results
throughout the Balkans.
Start thinking about what should and can be done to improve the
coordination, cooperation and support needed for your festival.
Bring those thoughts to the conference.
They will become the agenda.
Finally, dress comfortably and be prepared to be surprised.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Birgitt, below is what I said to the Project Director that paid me
regarding his Staff's evaluation of the Reports issues.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TKS FOR SHARING SANDRA AND DARJA'S THOUGHTS AND CRITICISMS. IT IS
HELPFUL TO ME.
ONE POINT IS PARTICULARLY VALUABLE, DARJA'S COMMENT/CONCERN ABOUT THE
REPORT OUTCOME/VALUE.
I CONCUR WITH HER FINDINGS.
IF I COULD DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY IT WOULD BE TO CAREFULLY CHECK THE
"FORMAT" FOR REPORTING PROVIDED ON THE COMPUTERS. AS IT TURNED OUT,
VALDO DID NOT INCLUDE THE REPORT ELEMENTS:
"RECOMMENDATION(S) AND
NEXT STEP(S).
THAT WOULD HAVE PROMPTED MORE WORKABLE/SUPPORTABLE OUTCOMES. OH WELL,
IF ONLY I COULD READ SERBIAN.
I hope this helps.
Elwin Guild
Future Development International
Baltimore
--- Birgitt Williams <birgitt at dalarinternational.com> wrote:
> Elwin,
> Congratulations on your work.
>
> I have some questions about how the report was set up, and what the
> 'givens' or 'non-negotiables' for the event were. We also are doing
> work
> for organizations funded by USAID and they are looking closely at the
> investment in OST and whether it is worth it beyond simply an
> exchange
> of good ideas.
>
> I am looking at the comment in the evaluation:
> "On the other hand, I am not sure exactly how the results of this
> great
> event can adequately be recorded (and what are they,in the most
> concrete
> sense, other than truly great exchange of ideas, meeting and coming
> together of people with similar problems who will now have the chance
> contact each other in the coming period...Which is perhaps more than
> enough). I understand the report was supposed to serve this purpose ,
> but looking through them, I believe there could have been a better
> way
> to put the actual results together - what that would be, and how it
> could have been implemented, I don't really know. Furthermore, I am
> also
> not sure how much follow up action will there be in the foreseeable
> future."
>
> It would assist me greatly in our current USAID work and
> relationships
> re OST and the COSO to understand how the reports were done and what
> the
> 'givens' were. Thank you in advance for the time it will take to do
> the
> response.
>
> Birgitt
> www.dalarinternational.com
> Providing a holistic approach to business success
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.4/299 - Release Date:
> 3/31/2006
>
>
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> *
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> view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
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>
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>From Sun Apr 2 20:36:57 2006
Message-Id: <SUN.2.APR.2006.203657.0400.>
Date: Sun, 2 Apr 2006 20:36:57 -0400
Reply-To: hhowen at verizon.net
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net>
Organization: HH Owen and Co.
Subject: Re: Half-way to this?
In-Reply-To: <200604021713_MC3-1-BBF2-D019 at compuserve.com>
MIME-version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
A half-way technology is, by definition, half way to the right spot, and
soon to be replaced by something better. In the case of OST, I think the
"better" is what we have had all along (self-organization) but refused, or
were unable, to recognize it. So it is all about half way to coming home
again. And for all those who have seen OST to be something new and
different, this may come as a shock. It is as old as the millennia, which is
kind of nice.
Harrison
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
OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the
archives Visit: www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Douglas D.
Germann, Sr.
Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2006 5:13 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Half-way to this?
Good friends--
Open Space is a half-way technology. So says Harrison. Half-way to what?
Open Space Technology, The World Café, and the dozens of other meeting
formats that have been appearing among humans the last few decades are
harbingers of a growing shoot. The growing edge is to see what can be done
to improve humanity in a fundamental way. The direction is toward
collaboration, or more precisely toward growing us from the fact that there
is something larger afoot. That something larger suggests that we are an
intricate interwoven pulsating and throbbing one. Or can be.
So we are half-way, perhaps, to developing technologies and sciences that
bring us together, foster and grow from conflict, increase diversity and
passion, and ensure that each generation following ours is more human than
the one before it.
Are we making any progress on the question of Half-way to what?
:-Doug. Germann
Seeking people making community change.
*
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>From Sun Apr 2 20:59:19 2006
Message-Id: <SUN.2.APR.2006.205919.0400.>
Date: Sun, 2 Apr 2006 20:59:19 -0400
Reply-To: hhowen at verizon.net
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net>
Organization: HH Owen and Co.
Subject: Re: Evaluations of Open Space in Novi Sad, Serbia
In-Reply-To: <20060402223005.40439.qmail at web53504.mail.yahoo.com>
MIME-version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Having worked some of the same territory as Elwin (though not nearly as
extensively) and with the same clients (USAID etc) I find the notion of
"givens" to be somewhat off the mark. To be sure, there are "givens" -- the
world is round, gravity affects all of it, and the like. But basically the
issue is to invite people to put it all on the table, no holds barred. This
does make some folks very nervous, but they would be nervous under any
circumstance, and I can't really worry about their inner feelings. I
understand they may be my "client" -- but I make it very clear to folks who
are foolhardy enough to hire me -- that in the run up to an Open Space I
will do my best to honor their wishes as client. And if I can't do that
(honor their wishes) I will withdraw from the assignment. However once
things are under way, my "client" is the people in the room, and I will do
everything possible to do whatever I can to open the space just as widely as
I can so that they may experience their own selves in their fullness. Good,
bad, and indifferent.
This may sound revolutionary, off the wall, and contrary to good
client/consultant relationships. All of which may be true, but for me it
makes absolute sense. Take the recent situation in Seville. Had there been
any "givens" (non-negotiable, non-speakable issues) which were taken off the
table in advance -- you can be absolutely certain that with the participants
that we had -- all of that would have forcibly been put back on the table.
What allowed us to escape a major blow-up (we certainly had some minor major
ones :-) -- was to open sufficient space so that everything was out there.
And then the participants had to take full responsibility for their
passions, statements, their selves. Some people call this deep democracy.
That works for me.
Harrison
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
OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the
archives Visit: www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Elwin and
Joan
Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2006 6:30 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Evaluations of Open Space in Novi Sad, Serbia
Birgitt-
For some reason I have never figured out this thing called "givens." So
the best I can do is to give you a copy of what I wrote as the
Invitation to the Conference. For me, that is the given.
The Invitation tried to capture what I learned in discussions with the
Project Director. he hired and paid me. In short, the objective was to
get 100 people with a common interest together and Open Space in the
hope that they would develop some strategy to sustain their activities
after USAID is gone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the Invite: (Followed by my evaluation response.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Managing the Future of Our Festivals"
You are invited to join 100 colleagues for a 2 1/2 day conference to
create a plan to ensure that Serbia’s cultural heritage will continue
to be shared with the world.
It is an opportunity for you to discuss, plan, and organize the
management of Serbia’s festivals and fairs at the village and national
level.
The Conference will have a professional facilitator.
However, YOU will create the conference agenda.
YOU will decide what needs to be discussed.
YOU will conduct the workshop meetings.
YOU will write and publish the plan.
This unique conference methodology has produced outstanding results
throughout the Balkans.
Start thinking about what should and can be done to improve the
coordination, cooperation and support needed for your festival.
Bring those thoughts to the conference.
They will become the agenda.
Finally, dress comfortably and be prepared to be surprised.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Birgitt, below is what I said to the Project Director that paid me
regarding his Staff's evaluation of the Reports issues.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TKS FOR SHARING SANDRA AND DARJA'S THOUGHTS AND CRITICISMS. IT IS
HELPFUL TO ME.
ONE POINT IS PARTICULARLY VALUABLE, DARJA'S COMMENT/CONCERN ABOUT THE
REPORT OUTCOME/VALUE.
I CONCUR WITH HER FINDINGS.
IF I COULD DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY IT WOULD BE TO CAREFULLY CHECK THE
"FORMAT" FOR REPORTING PROVIDED ON THE COMPUTERS. AS IT TURNED OUT,
VALDO DID NOT INCLUDE THE REPORT ELEMENTS:
"RECOMMENDATION(S) AND
NEXT STEP(S).
THAT WOULD HAVE PROMPTED MORE WORKABLE/SUPPORTABLE OUTCOMES. OH WELL,
IF ONLY I COULD READ SERBIAN.
I hope this helps.
Elwin Guild
Future Development International
Baltimore
--- Birgitt Williams <birgitt at dalarinternational.com> wrote:
> Elwin,
> Congratulations on your work.
>
> I have some questions about how the report was set up, and what the
> 'givens' or 'non-negotiables' for the event were. We also are doing
> work
> for organizations funded by USAID and they are looking closely at the
> investment in OST and whether it is worth it beyond simply an
> exchange
> of good ideas.
>
> I am looking at the comment in the evaluation:
> "On the other hand, I am not sure exactly how the results of this
> great
> event can adequately be recorded (and what are they,in the most
> concrete
> sense, other than truly great exchange of ideas, meeting and coming
> together of people with similar problems who will now have the chance
> contact each other in the coming period...Which is perhaps more than
> enough). I understand the report was supposed to serve this purpose ,
> but looking through them, I believe there could have been a better
> way
> to put the actual results together - what that would be, and how it
> could have been implemented, I don't really know. Furthermore, I am
> also
> not sure how much follow up action will there be in the foreseeable
> future."
>
> It would assist me greatly in our current USAID work and
> relationships
> re OST and the COSO to understand how the reports were done and what
> the
> 'givens' were. Thank you in advance for the time it will take to do
> the
> response.
>
> Birgitt
> www.dalarinternational.com
> Providing a holistic approach to business success
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.4/299 - Release Date:
> 3/31/2006
>
>
> *
> *
> ==========================================================
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> ------------------------------
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
> view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>
> To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
> http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>
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>From Sun Apr 2 21:25:33 2006
Message-Id: <SUN.2.APR.2006.212533.0400.>
Date: Sun, 2 Apr 2006 21:25:33 -0400
Reply-To: birgitt at dalarinternational.com
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Birgitt Williams <birgitt at dalarinternational.com>
Organization: Dalar International Consultancy
Subject: Re: Evaluations of Open Space in Novi Sad, Serbia
In-Reply-To: <20060402223005.40439.qmail at web53504.mail.yahoo.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1250"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Elwin,
Thank you for taking the time with this. I am grateful to you for your
response. It is exactly the information that I needed. There are
'givens' for the event itself in the invitation ie: 'you will decide
what needs to be discussed'. However, the standard 'givens' that we do
in the Genuine Contact program way of working with OST are 'givens'
related to the outputs of the meeting. There are always 'givens' be they
process givens for what happens to the actionable items following the
meeting, and financial givens for example...we simply allow that which
is implied (and thus really known by only a few--usually those in power
positions) to be made explicit and communicated clearly so that all
involved have the same information.
We learned over time that doing these creates a greater likelihood of
follow up from an OST meeting. This is more true within intact
organizations than with conferences.
Blessings,
Birgitt
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Elwin
and Joan
Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2006 6:30 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Evaluations of Open Space in Novi Sad, Serbia
Birgitt-
For some reason I have never figured out this thing called "givens." So
the best I can do is to give you a copy of what I wrote as the
Invitation to the Conference. For me, that is the given.
The Invitation tried to capture what I learned in discussions with the
Project Director. he hired and paid me. In short, the objective was to
get 100 people with a common interest together and Open Space in the
hope that they would develop some strategy to sustain their activities
after USAID is gone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the Invite: (Followed by my evaluation response.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Managing the Future of Our Festivals"
You are invited to join 100 colleagues for a 2 1/2 day conference to
create a plan to ensure that Serbia’s cultural heritage will continue
to be shared with the world.
It is an opportunity for you to discuss, plan, and organize the
management of Serbia’s festivals and fairs at the village and national
level.
The Conference will have a professional facilitator.
However, YOU will create the conference agenda.
YOU will decide what needs to be discussed.
YOU will conduct the workshop meetings.
YOU will write and publish the plan.
This unique conference methodology has produced outstanding results
throughout the Balkans.
Start thinking about what should and can be done to improve the
coordination, cooperation and support needed for your festival.
Bring those thoughts to the conference.
They will become the agenda.
Finally, dress comfortably and be prepared to be surprised.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Birgitt, below is what I said to the Project Director that paid me
regarding his Staff's evaluation of the Reports issues.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TKS FOR SHARING SANDRA AND DARJA'S THOUGHTS AND CRITICISMS. IT IS
HELPFUL TO ME.
ONE POINT IS PARTICULARLY VALUABLE, DARJA'S COMMENT/CONCERN ABOUT THE
REPORT OUTCOME/VALUE.
I CONCUR WITH HER FINDINGS.
IF I COULD DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY IT WOULD BE TO CAREFULLY CHECK THE
"FORMAT" FOR REPORTING PROVIDED ON THE COMPUTERS. AS IT TURNED OUT,
VALDO DID NOT INCLUDE THE REPORT ELEMENTS:
"RECOMMENDATION(S) AND
NEXT STEP(S).
THAT WOULD HAVE PROMPTED MORE WORKABLE/SUPPORTABLE OUTCOMES. OH WELL,
IF ONLY I COULD READ SERBIAN.
I hope this helps.
Elwin Guild
Future Development International
Baltimore
--- Birgitt Williams <birgitt at dalarinternational.com> wrote:
> Elwin,
> Congratulations on your work.
>
> I have some questions about how the report was set up, and what the
> 'givens' or 'non-negotiables' for the event were. We also are doing
> work
> for organizations funded by USAID and they are looking closely at the
> investment in OST and whether it is worth it beyond simply an
> exchange
> of good ideas.
>
> I am looking at the comment in the evaluation:
> "On the other hand, I am not sure exactly how the results of this
> great
> event can adequately be recorded (and what are they,in the most
> concrete
> sense, other than truly great exchange of ideas, meeting and coming
> together of people with similar problems who will now have the chance
> contact each other in the coming period...Which is perhaps more than
> enough). I understand the report was supposed to serve this purpose ,
> but looking through them, I believe there could have been a better
> way
> to put the actual results together - what that would be, and how it
> could have been implemented, I don't really know. Furthermore, I am
> also
> not sure how much follow up action will there be in the foreseeable
> future."
>
> It would assist me greatly in our current USAID work and
> relationships
> re OST and the COSO to understand how the reports were done and what
> the
> 'givens' were. Thank you in advance for the time it will take to do
> the
> response.
>
> Birgitt
> www.dalarinternational.com
> Providing a holistic approach to business success
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.4/299 - Release Date:
> 3/31/2006
>
>
> *
> *
> ==========================================================
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> ------------------------------
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
> view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>
> To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
> http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>
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Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.4/299 - Release Date: 3/31/2006
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.4/299 - Release Date: 3/31/2006
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>From Sun Apr 2 21:34:28 2006
Message-Id: <SUN.2.APR.2006.213428.0400.>
Date: Sun, 2 Apr 2006 21:34:28 -0400
Reply-To: birgitt at dalarinternational.com
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Birgitt Williams <birgitt at dalarinternational.com>
Organization: Dalar International Consultancy
Subject: Re: Evaluations of Open Space in Novi Sad, Serbia
In-Reply-To: <000c01c656b9$d9db8a60$6400a8c0 at harrison>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Harrison, thanks for your reply.
A different way of looking at 'givens' is that they do not restrict the
space. They simply define what space is really being opened in the
ongoing life of the organization.
A conference such as you facilitated usually has minimal givens. Yes,
they are there....whether implicit or explicit. Often, what trips a
group up is when they surface part way through the OST and come as a
shock of dashed expectations.
As you know, I have worked using 'givens' for over a decade. Because my
fascination is not with OST, but with the Conscious Open Space
Organization (COSO), I tend to have a different approach. I am one of
those consultants who stay involved with organizations over the long
term including to track what happens as a result of an OST meeting, or
multiple OST meetings. It has been fascinating. Including to understand
the variables that create the conditions in the organization for maximum
long term benefit from even one OST meeting....with consistency...no
matter who they are.
Blessings,
Birgitt
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of
Harrison Owen
Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2006 8:59 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Evaluations of Open Space in Novi Sad, Serbia
Having worked some of the same territory as Elwin (though not nearly as
extensively) and with the same clients (USAID etc) I find the notion of
"givens" to be somewhat off the mark. To be sure, there are "givens" --
the
world is round, gravity affects all of it, and the like. But basically
the
issue is to invite people to put it all on the table, no holds barred.
This
does make some folks very nervous, but they would be nervous under any
circumstance, and I can't really worry about their inner feelings. I
understand they may be my "client" -- but I make it very clear to folks
who
are foolhardy enough to hire me -- that in the run up to an Open Space I
will do my best to honor their wishes as client. And if I can't do that
(honor their wishes) I will withdraw from the assignment. However once
things are under way, my "client" is the people in the room, and I will
do
everything possible to do whatever I can to open the space just as
widely as
I can so that they may experience their own selves in their fullness.
Good,
bad, and indifferent.
This may sound revolutionary, off the wall, and contrary to good
client/consultant relationships. All of which may be true, but for me it
makes absolute sense. Take the recent situation in Seville. Had there
been
any "givens" (non-negotiable, non-speakable issues) which were taken off
the
table in advance -- you can be absolutely certain that with the
participants
that we had -- all of that would have forcibly been put back on the
table.
What allowed us to escape a major blow-up (we certainly had some minor
major
ones :-) -- was to open sufficient space so that everything was out
there.
And then the participants had to take full responsibility for their
passions, statements, their selves. Some people call this deep
democracy.
That works for me.
Harrison
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
OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the
archives Visit: www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Elwin
and
Joan
Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2006 6:30 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Evaluations of Open Space in Novi Sad, Serbia
Birgitt-
For some reason I have never figured out this thing called "givens." So
the best I can do is to give you a copy of what I wrote as the
Invitation to the Conference. For me, that is the given.
The Invitation tried to capture what I learned in discussions with the
Project Director. he hired and paid me. In short, the objective was to
get 100 people with a common interest together and Open Space in the
hope that they would develop some strategy to sustain their activities
after USAID is gone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the Invite: (Followed by my evaluation response.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Managing the Future of Our Festivals"
You are invited to join 100 colleagues for a 2 1/2 day conference to
create a plan to ensure that Serbia’s cultural heritage will continue
to be shared with the world.
It is an opportunity for you to discuss, plan, and organize the
management of Serbia’s festivals and fairs at the village and national
level.
The Conference will have a professional facilitator.
However, YOU will create the conference agenda.
YOU will decide what needs to be discussed.
YOU will conduct the workshop meetings.
YOU will write and publish the plan.
This unique conference methodology has produced outstanding results
throughout the Balkans.
Start thinking about what should and can be done to improve the
coordination, cooperation and support needed for your festival.
Bring those thoughts to the conference.
They will become the agenda.
Finally, dress comfortably and be prepared to be surprised.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Birgitt, below is what I said to the Project Director that paid me
regarding his Staff's evaluation of the Reports issues.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TKS FOR SHARING SANDRA AND DARJA'S THOUGHTS AND CRITICISMS. IT IS
HELPFUL TO ME.
ONE POINT IS PARTICULARLY VALUABLE, DARJA'S COMMENT/CONCERN ABOUT THE
REPORT OUTCOME/VALUE.
I CONCUR WITH HER FINDINGS.
IF I COULD DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY IT WOULD BE TO CAREFULLY CHECK THE
"FORMAT" FOR REPORTING PROVIDED ON THE COMPUTERS. AS IT TURNED OUT,
VALDO DID NOT INCLUDE THE REPORT ELEMENTS:
"RECOMMENDATION(S) AND
NEXT STEP(S).
THAT WOULD HAVE PROMPTED MORE WORKABLE/SUPPORTABLE OUTCOMES. OH WELL,
IF ONLY I COULD READ SERBIAN.
I hope this helps.
Elwin Guild
Future Development International
Baltimore
--- Birgitt Williams <birgitt at dalarinternational.com> wrote:
> Elwin,
> Congratulations on your work.
>
> I have some questions about how the report was set up, and what the
> 'givens' or 'non-negotiables' for the event were. We also are doing
> work
> for organizations funded by USAID and they are looking closely at the
> investment in OST and whether it is worth it beyond simply an
> exchange
> of good ideas.
>
> I am looking at the comment in the evaluation:
> "On the other hand, I am not sure exactly how the results of this
> great
> event can adequately be recorded (and what are they,in the most
> concrete
> sense, other than truly great exchange of ideas, meeting and coming
> together of people with similar problems who will now have the chance
> contact each other in the coming period...Which is perhaps more than
> enough). I understand the report was supposed to serve this purpose ,
> but looking through them, I believe there could have been a better
> way
> to put the actual results together - what that would be, and how it
> could have been implemented, I don't really know. Furthermore, I am
> also
> not sure how much follow up action will there be in the foreseeable
> future."
>
> It would assist me greatly in our current USAID work and
> relationships
> re OST and the COSO to understand how the reports were done and what
> the
> 'givens' were. Thank you in advance for the time it will take to do
> the
> response.
>
> Birgitt
> www.dalarinternational.com
> Providing a holistic approach to business success
>
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