Camps. Gatherings & Un-conferences

[Harrison Owen]

I think the most recent new name for Open Space is "Foo Camp" or at least that is how the Editors of Nature titled the gathering at the Googleplex for the Bloggie set. If anybody is interested in all that (Nature that is) go to http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v442/n7105/full/442848a.html 

We have been called a lot of things -- but "Foo Camp"? Oh well, when you do something as weird as Open Space, I guess you can't complain about the Press. But I did feel some obligation to help the Editors out of the darkness of their ignorance. :-) Cheeky of me, I admit. See Below --

To the Editors of Nature:


I totally enjoyed your recent editorial, "Foo's Paradise, and salute your interest and effort in promoting greater participation. You and your readers may also be interested in knowing that mode of meeting which happened at the Googleplex, while perhaps new for that community, is by no means new. And, perhaps of greater importantance, is easily repeatable and free for the asking.

The approach to meeting is known as Open Space Technology, which I originated some 20 years ago. Since then it has been used in excess of 60,000 times in 120 countries around the world with groups ranging in size from 5 to over 2000. Users have included major global corporations, governments, NGOs, communities, and more recently the "Techie Community." What happened in Mountain View is the typical experience: diverse people energetically interact to produce exciting and innovative solutions. This seems to happen every time, and perhaps more remarkably, it seems to happen pretty much all by itself. There is no pre-set agenda and little facilitation. The people do it all themselves.

Were one to ask how it could be possible that a group of 200 (or 2000) could move from a standing start to intense and productive interaction with only, as you say, a "brief introduction" (typically 15 minutes or less), the only reasonable explanation that I have come up with is that the remarkable force of self-organization is the culprit. Assuming this to be correct, I and my colleagues worldwide have felt priviledged to have had front row seats in a marvelous 20 year natural experiment exploring the phenomenon of self-organization is human systems.

Should you wish to know more, you might check out a brief paper I wrote some years ago http://openspaceworld.com/emergent_order.htm  I have also written a number of books in the area.

I mentioned above that Open Space is "free for the asking." For a variety of reasons I never trademarked or copyrighted the approach, mostly I think because it is very simple and very effective and therefore should be in the public domain. In short, you can't buy it, but you can use it. To get started, you will probably find my book, "Open Space Technology: A User's Guide" (Berrett-Koehler) to be of assistance.

Thanks again for a marvelous editorial and let me know if I can be of any assistance.


Sincerely


Harrison Owen



Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Dr.
Potomac, MD  20854
USA
301-365-2093
207-763-3261 (summer)
website www.openspaceworld.com
Personal Website www.ho-image.com

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Diana Larsen 
  To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU 
  Sent: Friday, August 25, 2006 2:16 PM
  Subject: Camps. Gatherings & Un-conferences


  Hi,

  I've seen notices of gatherings where people will come together under  
  an Open Space self-organizing process called variously Camps,  
  Gatherings, Conferences and Unconferences.

  I'm intrigued. What other names have folks given an Open Space  
  conference-type event besides Open Space?

  Curiously,
  Diana

  Diana Larsen
  co-author, _Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great_ (Pragmatic  
  Bookshelf, 2006)
  www.futureworksconsulting.com
  503-288-3550

  Upcoming: "Secrets of Agile Teamwork: Beyond Technical Skills"   
  public workshop, Dec. 5-7, 2006. Contact me for more information.

  Need to unleash the potential for innovation in your organization?  
  Check out the programs at:
  http://www.cxoforum.com/

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