Stories that moved you, stories that could change the world

[Michael Herman]

thanks for these mini-snippets, glory.  i've added them to the page we
already had for such things: 
http://www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wikiA.cgi?OpenSpaceExamples ...it's
getting to be quite a collection.

michael



On 1/14/06, Glory Ressler <on.the.edge at sympatico.ca> wrote:
> Hi Doug:
> Sorry for the delay in response....
>
> Here's a few mini-snippets of stories:
> 1) A team used OST in response to notification of funding decreases to their
> program. The intent was to find ways to save $$$ in order to retain their
> program/jobs...
> One result was a decision to cease offering one type of service altogether
> and the group made its own HR adjustments (job and time-sharing if I
> recall). Both mgmt and the funder saw the logic and appreciated the work -
> although they were shocked as heck!
>
> 2) A small town branch of a national org serving kids decided, after
> experiencing OST, to pursue partnering with the other local city branches -
> in order to improve effectiveness and efficiency. This was a major shift as
> traditionally there had been much animosity/competitiveness between these
> branches. This has now been completed and there is a regional body that
> coordinates fundraising for all branches. This has resulted in a significant
> increase in the number of children served across the region.
>
> 3) A staff person present at an OST meeting came to me mid-way and excitedly
> said, 'I get it! All my life I have waited for someone else to fix 'it'. Now
> I know that, if I care, I can do something!'.
>
> 4) Two branches of a national org serving individuals with mental health
> challenges were forced to amalgamate by headquarters and decided to use OST
> to figure out how...
> During the meeting, the senior mgmt from both branches negotiated the new
> leadership arrangement. One Executive Director chose to move on to a new
> position. Other senior managers made equally astonishingly self-less
> decisions and cooperative arrangements in service of the people they serve.
> That amalgamated branch is now nationally recognized for its innovative
> programs and services and excellent advocacy work vis a vis national policy
> on mental health.
>
> 5) An OST meeting focusing on issues and opportunities for youth in a small,
> historic town resulted in a group of the participating youth requesting that
> the Town Council establish a Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), which they did.
> Since then, that YAC has been the driving force behind some of the town's
> decisions and developments, including building a skate park and limiting the
> number of fast food chains allowed to set up shop within the city limits.
>
> That's all I have the time, energy and ability to type up for now... In
> doing so I've realized that, in each case, it seems to involve a group
> accepting that the world has/will change and then engaging consciously
> (choosing) how they will interact with that change....
>
> Best wishes to all,
> Glory
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Douglas D. Germann, Sr." <76066.515 at compuserve.com>
> To: <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
> Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 5:33 PM
> Subject: Stories that moved you, stories that could change the world
>
>
> > Glory--
> >
> > Thank you for your kind note.
> >
> > << the ideal story would include and transcend any existing
> > << polarities - IMHO.
> >
> > << So my own question is seeking its answer in me... and I think the
> > stories
> > << that move me the most are ones where a whole group shifts in some new,
> > << interesting or surprising way....
> >
> > << It may be the entire org or a sub-group but it's this action of
> > << exploring/deciding/acting, consciously and intelligently, together that
> > << really excites me. I also believe the mini-narratives within this frame
> > << (where people have ah ha moments or emotional breakthroughs) are very
> > << important to tell as well because they give hope and heart to others.
> >
> > Teilhard is for me, too, one of my teachers--I always get my thinking
> > exploded reading his work. So I enjoyed the Teilhard-Atlee poem a lot.
> >
> > So it is no surprise that these stories you mention are the ones I have in
> > mind (and heart) when I ask about stories.
> >
> > What are your favorite stories of this kind, Glory? I want to have some of
> > that hope raised in me that you talk about so well....
> >
> >                              :-Doug.
> >                              What wants to happen in your communities?
>
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--

Michael Herman
Michael Herman Associates
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Chicago IL 60610 USA
Phone: 312-280-7838
mherman at globalchicago.net
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Executive Facilitation ...getting
the most important things done in
the easiest possible ways.

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