SV: planting seeds
Lise Damkjær
lise at learning4life.dk
Wed Mar 15 11:31:51 PST 2006
Open space with youths...
One of my best OS-experiences was this summer doing an 2-day Open space with
30 15-17-year-old youngsters from Denmark and Letvia (so they had to do it
in english to understand each other).
Their teachers had decided that the theme should be "Democracy and the
fairytales of Hans Christian Andersen" (He was danish...)
The first morning we told the youngsters, that we expected them to host an
open space with their parents as participantsin the next evening - and that
we expected them to work out 4 small plays about democracy and the 4 chosen
fairytales to inspire the open space.
And then we introduced open space - and they got to work! Lots of work!
In the evening the day after when the parents arrived the 4 plays were
showed and 4 of the youngsters introduced open space and the space were
open!
In a chat with one of the young OS-hosts I mentioned that the adults were a
bit slow in getting started. This 15-year-old boy reflected: "I think they
are having a hard time - being in the same learning as we were yesterday..."
WOW - with these youngsters we don't need to wory about the future!
regards
Lise Damkjær
Copenhagen
-----Oprindelig meddelelse-----
Fra: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] På vegne af Patricia
Haines
Sendt: 15. marts 2006 13:49
Til: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Emne: planting seeds
I agree with Harrison about how most 'outcomes' from Open Space - or all of
education, for that
matter - tend not to show up for a long time. The enthusiasm of the moment
dissipates quickly, if
not embedded in an accountability structure for continuing. As a long-time
student of the history of
social change movements, I've been searching to understand what makes the
most lasting and systemic
difference - and I've come down to reaching individuals, in collective
conversations, at deep
levels. Where they're already living and dreaming. This is what Open Space
does.
However - the current trend in the funding world is for "measurable
outcomes", evaluation plans that
target immediate results. How to deal with this is one of the non-profit
world's greatest head- and
heartaches. One thing that Open Space offers here is the 'measureable
outcome' of headlines and
action plans. And, as Chris Weaver offered at the recent US Partnership open
space, community
intention commitment sign-up sheets for follow-up activities.
Has anyone used Open Space with school-age children or youth? seems like
they would get the process
quickly!
----- Original Message -----
From: Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net>
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Sent: Sun, 12 Mar 2006 10:57:45 -0500
Subject: Re: US Partnership Open Space notes
> Patricia wrote: "One thing I'd like to know from the rest of you OS-folks:
> do you keep track of outcomes from the Open Space gatherings?"
>
> I suppose that as faithful stewards of the Open Space we all should be
> making best effort to keep track of all the details, before during and
> after. But speaking strictly for my self I have to confess that I just
lose
> track. Part of this is laziness I am sure, but it may go a little deeper.
I
> have found that the true impacts of an Open Space rarely show up in a
manner
> that lends itself to the normal sorts of evaluation. One might hope, for
> example that all the Action Items were fully implemented. This might look
> great on paper, but the truth of the matter is that when the Open Space is
> over, the world continues -- and what may have seemed like a no-brainer
> action to be taken turns out to be a brain-dead idea in the light of the
> then current reality. Whatever that might be.
>
> Another snare along the way to "evaluation" is that (at least in my
> experience) the true impact of an Open Space rarely if ever shows up when
> you might expect it -- and certainly not "on schedule" -- with the
beginning
> of the next quarter. It may be two or three years, and the fire continues
to
> burn underground -- and then just when everybody has forgotten that there
> ever was an Open Space -- out it pops.
>
> It is also true that in most of the Open Space gatherings I have
> facilitated, I really don't understand what is going on -- and certainly
not
> at any useful level of detail. Strange language, strange culture, strange
> discipline -- All I can do is hold space.
>
> One thing I am sure of, however. There has never been an Open Space which
> did not make a substantive, positive impact on the people or organization
> involved. Even if absolutely none of the 99 recommendations for action
were
> implemented it will remain true that everybody remembers that there was a
> time when they deeply connected. It may never happen again, indeed they
may
> choose to make sure that it never happens again, but the memory will
remain
> and serve a benchmark for the future. In those situations where folks
choose
> to go back and be miserable (and some do) they will always know that it
can
> be different.
>
> 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 Patricia
> Haines
> Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2006 8:14 AM
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Subject: US Partnership Open Space notes
>
> No, Diane, they're not up yet, but they will be soon. Steve Cochran is
> coordinating this, with Chris
> Weaver's help. You can check <uspartnership.org> along the way.
>
> One thing I'd like to know from the rest of you OS-folks: do you keep
track
> of outcomes from the
> Open Space gatherings? As a facilitator I always want to do this, if only
> for curiosity's sake; I
> learned early how tenuous the line between faciltiation and engagement in
> substance is! It's so easy
> to let enthusiasm open too many doors than I can go through responsibly.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Diane Brandon <diane.brandon at comcast.net>
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Sent: Sun, 12 Mar 2006 07:56:06 -0500
> Subject: Re: relationship-based funding
>
> > Patricia, have the Partnership convocation action plans been made
> > available online?
> > Diane
> >
> > On Mar 12, 2006, at 6:51 AM, Patricia Haines wrote:
> >
> > > I think that what Harrison's story fromSouth AFrica is what Chris and
> > > the US Partnership convocation
> > > folks are seeking - a dialogue and mutual understanding. We have some
> > > research to do about what's
> > > happening in the larger philanthropic world with respect donor/grantee
> > > relationships. We'll be
> > > checking this out in the coming months.
> > >
> > > Once Chris tries the idea out with his local community foundation,
> > > I'll do the same with mine. And I
> > > have this growing vision: what might an Open Space convened by the
> > > Council on Foundations look
> > > like? or perhaps by the Duke or Indiana or Yale philanthropy programs?
> > > ARNOVA?
> > >
> > > I'm a newcomer to Open Space, but a participant referred to what
> > > happened in Raleigh at the US
> > > Partnership 1st anniversary Convocation as a "miracle". All of us have
> > > been working in our own ways
> > > for years toward what is now being called "sustainability", in its
> > > myriad dimensions. In addition to
> > > the extraordinary richness of the action plans that emerged in
> > > Raleigh, getting to know others - and
> > > being able to keep in touch with them via email - generates the energy
> > > of HOPE - and I, for one, now
> > > wake up each morning eager to check my email!
> > >
> > > The OSLIST is part of this. In addition to hope you all give me
> > > concrete examples and solid things
> > > to ponder on - thank you all. - Patricia
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net>
> > > To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> > > Sent: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 16:47:31 -0500
> > > Subject: Re: relationship-based funding
> > >
> > >> I don't know where this fits exactly -- but in the early 90's as RSA
> > >> was
> > >> coming out of Apartheid, everything was in turmoil, not the least of
> > >> which
> > >> was the Non-profit world, funders and recipients. I don't know who's
> > >> idea it
> > >> was, but we did a day long OS with all parties. Everybody predicted
> > >> that it
> > >> would be recipients with hat in hands chasing down funders. But that
> > >> never
> > >> happened. Instead there was this marvelous dialogue with everybody
> > >> involved
> > >> concerned with the New South Africa and the necessary social support
> > >> programs to uphold it. It would have been better for 2.5 days, but we
> > >> did
> > >> what we did, and it seemed to do a lot.
> > >>
> > >> 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
> > >> Chris
> > >> Weaver
> > >> Sent: Friday, March 10, 2006 2:32 PM
> > >> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> > >> Subject: Re: relationship-based funding
> > >>
> > >> a couple follow-up thoughts to my last post:
> > >>
> > >> what i am really longing for in this, diane, is authenticity. i've
> > >> done a
> > >> lot of successful grant-writing and spent a lot of time on planet
> > >> 501(c)3
> > >> (for our international friends that's what a non-profit organization
> > >> is
> > >> called in the usa). all the individual players care a lot, but the
> > >> system
> > >> runs on "making things look good," which results in vast herds of
> > >> "dead
> > >> moose" inhabiting the non-profit world. executive directors
> > >> sugar-coat
> > >> their reports to their boards. marketing folks make the brochures
and
> > >> annual reports look beautiful. grant-writing is such a specialty
> > >> because it
> > >> is a difficult art to tell foundations what they want to hear.
> > >> evaluations
> > >> are constantly striving to squeeze positive measurable data out of
the
> > >> essential complexity of life. and when all is said and done, almost
> > >> nobody
> > >> is genuinely honored for their hard work and dedication in the honest
> > >> and
> > >> authentic way that they deserve, and the people who are served remain
> > >> largely behind a thick rose-colored glass wall. yes, wonderful and
> > >> critically important things happen...but in my view too much of it
> > >> happens
> > >> in spite of the current paradigm, and with a lot of precious energy
> > >> wasted.
> > >>
> > >> with our new little initiative, i look forward the experience of
> > >> donors,
> > >> project staff, and "clients" too sitting in circle, telling honest
> > >> stories,
> > >> LAUGHING, and giving voice to the complex living thing called the
> > >> reality of
> > >> the work. when that happens, we will be able to roll up our sleeves
> > >> and
> > >> take it to the next level.
> > >>
> > >> chris
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> -----Original Message-----
> > >> From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of
Diane
> > >> Brandon
> > >> Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 6:54 AM
> > >> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> > >> Subject: relationship-based funding
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Chris, can you give a real or imaginary example of how this (State of
> > >> Grace Documents as relationship-based alternatives to grants & other
> > >> traditional funding mechanisms.) might work? The non-profit work I'm
> > >> part of receives grants from "Community Foundations", where "donor
> > >> advised funds" are granted to projects. In the "relationship-based
> > >> alternatives", would the donor have their funds in their own
> > >> investments, and work on a State of Grace document as a sort of MOU
> > >> (memorandum of understanding) between them and the project or program
> > >> they are funding? How would they not have many organizations seeking
> > >> to
> > >> do this with them? The community foundations serve as intermediaries,
> > >> to save the wealthy person with a mission in mind from having to
> > >> organize those seeking funds, and from having to know all the
> > >> investment/donor laws, etc.
> > >>
> > >> I like what you're suggesting, but I'd love to hear some further
> > >> descriptions, pros and cons. Is anyone doing it yet?
> > >>
> > >> Diane Brandon (coordinator of a regional coalition that uses
> > >> participatory methods like FS, WC, AI -- and OS soon)
> > >>
> > >> PS Melinda Salazar, who I mentioned some time back on this list, and
> > >> who is now a member, is having Steve Cochran facilitate her OS on
> > >> Teaching Peace at the high school in Durham NH on April 1.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On Mar 9, 2006, at 6:29 AM, Chris Weaver wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> Thanks, Harrison & others, for the welcome when I posted a few weeks
> > >>> ago. It's lovely to be remembered after a couple of years off-list,
> > >>> &
> > >>> delightful to see the online community thriving away in its
> > >>> inimitable
> > >>> way.
> > >>>
> > >>> A couple current highlights & interests:
> > >>>
> > >>> I continue to work with youth, particularly teenagers. I'm working
> > >>> with some wonderful folks to develop a new form of "community-based
> > >>> indigenous education." I promote a return to the ancient idea that
> > >>> the initiation from childhood to young-adulthood is a key moment for
> > >>> the vast living intelligence of nature to re-enter the consciousness
> > >>> of the human village. Our youth can do this and are doing this for
> > >>> those who notice. Open space is a really good tool for
> > >>> intergenerational, inclusive "culture creation," so that the youth
> > >>> can
> > >>> be widely and deeply honored and supported in their role, and
> > >>> welcomed
> > >>> back properly by the Elders and the village. (Our project
> > >>> weblog will
> > >>> soon be up ~ I'll let y'all know.)
> > >>>
> > >>> Last week (thanks to Patricia Haines & the list) I attended the open
> > >>> space convocation of the US Partnership for the UN Decade for
> > >>> Education for Sustainable Development at the EPA campus near
> > >>> Raleigh, North Carolina. All I can say is that Steve Cochran has
> > >>> done
> > >>> something extraordinary, the unfolding of which will make itself
> > >>> known
> > >>> on this list and far beyond in the weeks & months to come.
> > >>> Harrison's
> > >>> post about the new climate change research brings the opportunities
> > >>> around open space and the Partnership into an even sharper focus.
> > >>>
> > >>> I am championing one initiative that came out of the convocation,
> > >>> which I am excited to mention, although it's in early development.
> > >>> Inspired by my sketchy recollection of Michael Herman's "Giving
> > >>> Conference" in Chicago a couple years back, I'm working with Maureen
> > >>> and Zelle, Patricia, & others on a new way to bring potential donors
> > >>> together with grassroots sustainability project leaders, using open
> > >>> space, and resulting in State of Grace Documents as
> > >>> relationship-based
> > >>> alternatives to grants & other traditional funding mechanisms. If
> > >>> all
> > >>> goes well we'll pilot this in North Carolina (probably here in
> > >>> Asheville) by summer.
> > >>>
> > >>> That's my news from the Northamerican southeast highlands, as the
> > >>> birds call in the dawn from the Atlantic. Enjoy your day, everyone.
> > >>>
> > >>> Chris Weaver
> > >>> * * ==========================================================
> > >>> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU ------------------------------ To
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> > >>> OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
> > >>> http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
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> > > "Never doubt that a group of committed citizens can change the world -
> > > indeed, it's the only thing
> > > that can." - Margaret Mead
> > >
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> "Never doubt that a group of committed citizens can change the world -
> indeed, it's the only thing
> that can." - Margaret Mead
>
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>From Thu Mar 16 08:21:39 2006
Message-Id: <THU.16.MAR.2006.082139.0500.>
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 08:21:39 -0500
Reply-To: sandy at thataway.org
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Sandy Heierbacher <sandy at thataway.org>
Organization: National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation
Subject: invitation and offer from the National Issues Forums Institute
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Hello!
We wanted subscribers to the Open Space list to know that National Issues
Forums is celebrating 25 years of convening forums to help put people's
voices back into politics. We would like to invite you to take this
opportunity to become part of the National Issues Forums network, and to
utilize our newest issue book on "Democracy's Challenge: Reclaiming the
Public's Role."
As you know, many Americans are turning away from public life, becoming
spectators rather than participants in our democracy. People are frustrated
with politics and the seemingly insurmountable partisan divide. We know
that proponents of Open Space are committed, as we are, to changing this
trend.
This year the National Issues Forums Institute is offering an issue book
that directly addresses the reasons we are all involved in this work.
"Democracy's Challenge: Reclaiming the Public's Role" tackles head-on the
obstacles and issues people face in a democracy that appears to have nudged
its citizens onto the sidelines.
Democracy's Challenge forums encourage citizens to think about what they can
do to strengthen the relationship that a democracy demands between the
government and its people. The issue book presents three perspectives on
the problem, each of which suggests a somewhat different course of action.
Right now you are invited to take advantage of a limited time offer for free
materials to use for convening a Democracy's Challenge forum. The free
materials in each set include 1 copy of the full-length Democracy's
Challenge issue discussion guide, 30 copies of the 8-page issue
discussion-guide-in-brief, 1 copy of the moderator's guide, and 1 video.
If you think you want to get involved in NIF or in the Democracy's Challenge
issue, or you'd like to help us get the word out about this opportunity, we
encourage you to:
- Order your free set of Democracy's Challenge materials by calling
1-800-600-4060, or go to www.nifi.org/discussion_guides/index.aspx to
download the moderator's guide or issue brief.
- Connect with the NIF network contacts nearest you. These network hubs,
listed at www.nifi.org/network/index.aspx, provide trainings and workshops,
organize forums, and connect NIF folks in their region.
- Sign up to receive NIF e-newsletters and stay informed about network
activities. Email Patty Dineen at dineenp at msn.com with your name, email
address, and mailing address (or just city and state) and ask her to add you
to the NIF News email list.
- Go to www.nifi.org/calendar/index.aspx to look up moderator trainings in
your area.
- Download "For Convenors and Moderators: Organizing for Public Deliberation
and Moderating a Forum" at
www.nifi.org/forums/detail.aspx?catID=4&itemID=230
- Tell others about this issue, and share this invitation to join the NIF
network.
Below is more information about the Democracy's Challenge issue and National
Issues Forums. We hope to hear from you soon!
- The National Issues Forums Institute Board
William Winter, Chairman
David Mathews, President
Estus Smith, Vice President
Joel Diemond
David Dillon
William DiMascio
Patricia Dineen
Jesus Garcia
Sandy Heierbacher
Sandra Hodge
Les Ihara
Ray Minor
William Muse
Sondra Myers
William Raspberry
Michelle Scott
Sue Tate
--
What are National Issues Forums?
National Issues Forums (NIF) is a nonpartisan, nationwide network of locally
sponsored public forums for the consideration of public policy issues. It is
rooted in the simple notion that people need to come together to reason and
talk - to deliberate about common problems. Indeed, democracy requires an
ongoing deliberative public dialogue.
These forums, organized by a variety of organizations, groups, and
individuals, offer citizens the opportunity to join together to deliberate,
to make choices with others about ways to approach difficult issues and to
work toward creating reasoned public judgment. Forums range from small or
large group gatherings similar to town hall meetings, to study circles held
in public places or in people's homes on an ongoing basis.
The National Issues Forums Institute works closely with the Kettering
Foundation, an operating foundation rooted in the American tradition of
inventive research. Established in 1927, the central question behind the
foundation's current research is this: What does it take to make democracy
work as it should?
Forums focus on an issue such as health care, immigration, Social Security,
or ethnic and racial tensions. The forums provide a way for people of
diverse views and experiences to seek a shared understanding of the problem
and to search for common ground for action. Forums are led by trained,
neutral moderators, and use an issue discussion guide that frames the issue
by presenting the overall problem and then three or four broad approaches to
the problem. Forum participants work through the issue by considering each
approach; examining what appeals to them or concerns them, and also what the
costs, consequences, and trade offs may be that would be incurred in
following that approach.
More information about NIF can be found at www.nifi.org.
--
Democracy's Challenge: Reclaiming the Public's Role
While most Americans are still proud of living in a country that is governed
by and for the people, many of them are no longer sure that Abraham
Lincoln's vision of a democracy has withstood the test of time. They have
become increasingly disaffected with a process that appears to have nudged
its citizens onto the sidelines and increasingly disillusioned with
politicians who appear disinterested in what they have to say.
Too many Americans today have retreated from the public places, meetings,
and associations at which they traditionally met to say what they thought
and do what needed to be done to improve their communities and their nation.
They have, so to speak, opted out. Politics is no longer working for them,
they say.
We have all read proposals for reforming the ways that government and
politics operate. Most of them depend on government initiatives. This book
is about what citizens can do. It suggests that citizens themselves can and
should provide the motivating power that will rekindle the vibrant
relationship that a democracy demands between the government and its people.
While there is no widespread agreement on how this can be done, Democracy's
Challenge provides a framework for a discussion of the possibilities. It
presents three perspectives on the problem, each of which suggests a
somewhat different course of action:
Democratic Values: Rebuilding democracy's moral foundation
As a nation, we have become self-indulgent and self absorbed,
inclined to accept neither hard choices nor sacrifice. The emphasis on
individual rights and personal freedom has undermined democracy. In recent
decades, the moral curriculum has been neglected; this is a key element in
our public troubles.
Web of Connections: Reinventing citizenship
Democracy requires the ability to work together on common concerns-
civic skills that most people learn in clubs, church groups, and local
associations. The public square is emptying because many Americans aren't
making the civic connections that form the habits and sharpen the skills of
citizenship.
By the People: Bringing the public back into politics
Government is no longer "of, by and for the people." Governance is
something politicians do, not something that involves us. In a democratic
nation where the people are supposed to be sovereign, citizens have lost
control of the government. The political system has to be fixed so citizens
once again have a central place in it.
*
*
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