Proximity and Open Space after presentations

douglas germann 76066.515 at compuserve.com
Mon Nov 6 18:40:08 PST 2006


Thanks, Zelle!

				:- Doug.

On Fri, 2006-11-03 at 00:07 -0500, Zelle Nelson wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> 
> I had one more thought about Open Space after keynotes and
> presentations ~
> 
> 
> An invitation prior to the event goes out much like any invitation for
> a regular 
> Open Space. The invitation is used to set the tone, initiating and
> generating 
> thoughts and attention before the presentation or keynote. Asking
> questions for 
> the group to think about in the invitation leads the group more easily
> into an Open 
> Space frame of mind. 
> 
> 
> In the case of the meeting we just facilitated for bp where
> presentations and OS 
> were intermingled there was an umbrella invitation, and then
> sub-invitations for 
> each specific presentation. Here is one presentation invitation of the
> several sub-
> invitations: 
> 
> 
> You’re Invited... 
> 
> 
> And the invitation is this... 
> 
> 
> What thoughts, knowledge, challenges or passion do you have around
> these questions... 
> 
> 
>      1.  How much room for improvement do 
>           we have in terms of quality and 
>           performance - are there any limits? 
>      2.  Where is the first, most important 
>           place to start in improving quality— 
>           Which "Missed Opportunities" have 
>           the greatest potential impact for D&C 
>           as a whole? 
>      3.  What are the areas where you could make a significant impact
> on your day-to-day 
>           performance, your long-term performance? 
>      4.  How do we create best practices across D&C Digital? 
> 
> 
> You’re invited to explore the potential for improving the quality of
> our performance based 
> decisions through the use of the Technical Limit Process.  As a group
> we'll discuss the need for a change in our coding perspective, a move
> toward exploiting "Missed Opportunities", the use of offset
> information and get a first glimpse at the utilities available in
> OpenWells for capturing non-productive time. 
> 
> 
> (This invitation also included graphics which can't be sent to the
> OSLIST.)
> 
> 
> So, invitation and circle are 2 foundations for preparing the group to
> move from a 
> presentation or keynote into Open Space.
> 
> with grace and love,
> 
> 
> Zelle
> 
> 
> Zelle Nelson
> Know Place Like Home/Engaging the Soul at Work/State of Grace Document
> 
> 
> www.knowplacelikehome.com
> www.engagingthesoulatwork.com
> www.stateofgracedocument.com
> 
> 
> zelle at knowplacelikehome.com
> 
> 
> work/home: (001) 828.693.0802
> mobile: (001) 847.951.7030
> 
> 
> Isle of Skye
> 2021 Greenville Hwy
> Flat Rock, NC 28731
> USA
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Nov 1, 2006, at 10:32 PM, douglas germann wrote:
> 
> > Zelle--
> > 
> > 
> > Fantastic! That was just the sort of low-down I wanted. Now I have a
> > good idea what you mean. 
> > 
> > 
> > It is a wonderful way to open some space for people who often find
> > it
> > closed by the "do-me" meetings so prevalent in our society. You are
> > to
> > be congratulated for being innovative in opening these spaces.
> > 
> > 
> > Which brings me to something you told me off-line a few months ago,
> > something I think others might be interested in conversing around
> > out
> > here in the open spaces (if you are willing): how you view opening
> > space
> > in corporations and hierarchical organizations and similar settings
> > which seem to me to prefer closed spaces and control. Why spend your
> > time and energy trying to convince people against their natural
> > inclinations? Is it not an uphill battle, and would it not be better
> > to
> > work where the seed could fall on more fertile soil?
> > 
> > 
> > :- Doug.
> > 
> > 
> > On Wed, 2006-11-01 at 19:15 -0500, Zelle Nelson wrote:
> > > Hi Doug, Chris, Herman, et al.,
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Chris mentioned the speaker setting the right tone. One way we
> > > accomplish this 
> > > is to have the speaker talk from a circle of chairs, not to
> > > theater
> > > style seating (this 
> > > also makes for a very efficient, and immediate transition to OS).
> > > see
> > > the graphic 
> > > down the right side of the page at:
> > > http://engagingthesoulatwork.com/engagingthesoul.htm
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > The invitation is "What thoughts, ideas, actions have been sparked
> > > by
> > > this 
> > > speech? What did you learn and what do you want to take away from
> > > this
> > > speech 
> > > going forward?"
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > One OS event after a speaker I posted on the OSLIST was after a
> > > political 
> > > candidate:
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Out of an short (3 hour) OS following a speech given by
> > > presidential
> > > hopeful Col. 
> > > Robert Bowman in the summer of 2004, the Kindness Campaign - 
> > > www.thekindnesscampaign.org was created and has been sustained to
> > > the 
> > > present in Asheville, NC. There were 50? participants. We did 15
> > > min
> > > action at the 
> > > end after a 20 min closing circle. I believe the speech was 45 min
> > > and
> > > that would 
> > > make the OS 2.25 hours. The whole event was maybe 4 hours one
> > > evening.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > These were the topics, and action round topics:
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic 1:            Electing Progressive Representatives
> > > Convener:            Clyde Michael Morgan
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic 2:            The Current Extinction Crisis
> > > Convener:            Greg Wilcox
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic 3:            The People of the World are with Us – We are
> > > the
> > > Majority – How do we Spread the Word?
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Convener:            Robin
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic 4:            How can we help the under 30 crowd and other
> > > citizens feel empowered enough to get involved in the political
> > > process?
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Convener:            Cathy S.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic 5:            Local Power Over Economy
> > > Convener:            Kevin  
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic 5:            Peace Dividend
> > > Convener:            Brad Dienst
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic 6:            Explore ways to identify and speak about the
> > > fundamental truths about which our government is doing.
> > >  
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Convener:            Hugh Huntington
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic 7:            Patriot Act – How to get our freedom back
> > > Convener:            Pamela
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic 8:            Unifying Global Resistance
> > > Convener:            Mark
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic 9:            Bringing Heart, Soul, Creativity, and Bliss to
> > > Politics
> > > Convener:            Daniel
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic 10:            Leadership Training
> > > Convener:            Rich Livernois
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Action Notes:
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic A:            Who wants to be in a network of people
> > > accepting
> > > REAL money, not Federal Reserve Notes
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Convener:            Kevin
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic B:            How to start a kindness campaign in Asheville
> > > Convener:             Barry Weinhold
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic C:            Let’s Stay in touch with a Yahoo group or
> > > something similar. Let’s work together
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Convener:            Clyde Michale Morsan
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic D:            Institutionalizing Change: Department of
> > > Peace;
> > > Ombudsman, Reform
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Convener:            Grant Miller
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Topic E:            Finding ways to speak the truth about our
> > > government
> > > Convener:             Hue
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > We just did 1/2 day World Cafe; 1.5 days of OS interspersed with
> > > presentations ~ 
> > > 1-2 presentations, followed by 3 hours of OS; 1-2 presentations
> > > followed by 3 
> > > hours of OS; 1-2 presentations, followed by 3 hours of OS;
> > > finishing
> > > with a day of 
> > > action rounds. There were 80 people from bp. We've been asked to
> > > do
> > > their next 
> > > meeting and in the "after action review" all the items the
> > > planning
> > > team wanted to 
> > > be covered were covered, plus a hairy elephant was talked about
> > > and
> > > moved 
> > > towards resolution.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > However you look at it, when you open more space, people get what
> > > they
> > > need. 
> > > All we do when we put together Open Space and a keynote speech or 
> > > presentation is combine the one-way learning phase of life with
> > > the
> > > multi-input 
> > > way of learning way of life which is Open Space. The process is
> > > happening all the 
> > > time, but not always one after the other, or moving in between the
> > > two, and 
> > > sponsored by the same organization. We're just directly linking
> > > what
> > > has been the 
> > > model for many years - one-way/single input learning and another
> > > way
> > > to learn - 
> > > multi-input learning.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > You know in Open Space ~ fantastic results! 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > with grace and love,
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Zelle
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Zelle Nelson
> > > Know Place Like Home/Engaging the Soul at Work/State of Grace
> > > Document
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > www.knowplacelikehome.com
> > > www.engagingthesoulatwork.com
> > > www.stateofgracedocument.com
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > zelle at knowplacelikehome.com
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > work/home: (001) 828.693.0802
> > > mobile: (001) 847.951.7030
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Isle of Skye
> > > 2021 Greenville Hwy
> > > Flat Rock, NC 28731
> > > USA
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > On Oct 26, 2006, at 10:24 PM, douglas germann wrote:
> > > 
> > > 
> > > > Zelle--
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > Great picture you give.
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > Can you say a little about what you mean by fantastic results?
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > I am even more curious about what the topics and invitations
> > > > look
> > > > like
> > > > for those "3-hour following OSTs." This sounds truly exciting.
> > > > Can
> > > > you
> > > > put some more meat on those bones for us all?
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > Thanks, Zelle! And say Hi to Maureen, too, for me. How is she
> > > > doing?
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > :- Doug.
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > On Thu, 2006-10-26 at 11:50 -0400, Zelle Nelson wrote:
> > > > > Hi Doug,
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > Proximity: very elegant!
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > Maureen and I have been offering and delivering Open Space
> > > > > after
> > > > > keynote 
> > > > > speeches, after presentations in corporate meetings, after
> > > > > political speeches - 
> > > > > anywhere we can open up space and allow everyone to be the
> > > > > expert
> > > > > or
> > > > > at least 
> > > > > ask questions about what was a spark for them. It works
> > > > > incredibly
> > > > > well.
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > Generally, we hold a 3 hour Open Space after keynote speeches.
> > > > > In
> > > > > terms of 
> > > > > presentations in corporate meetings, there will sometimes be
> > > > > multiple 
> > > > > presentations in the mornings and then hold Open Space in the
> > > > > afternoons. 
> > > > > We've had fantastic results!
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > with grace and love,
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > Zelle
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > Zelle Nelson
> > > > > Know Place Like Home/Engaging the Soul at Work/State of Grace
> > > > > Document
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > www.knowplacelikehome.com
> > > > > www.engagingthesoulatwork.com
> > > > > www.stateofgracedocument.com
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > zelle at knowplacelikehome.com
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > work/home: (001) 828.693.0802
> > > > > mobile: (001) 847.951.7030
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > Isle of Skye
> > > > > 2021 Greenville Hwy
> > > > > Flat Rock, NC 28731
> > > > > USA
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > On Oct 26, 2006, at 10:35 AM, douglas germann wrote:
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > > Hi all--
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > Chris's Tao of Holding Space stopped me in my mental tracks
> > > > > > last
> > > > > > night
> > > > > > with one word: proximity.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > What we are about in opening space is bringing people into
> > > > > > proximity,
> > > > > > yes?
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > Proximity: notice what can happen when we bring people who
> > > > > > care
> > > > > > near
> > > > > > each other. Ideas bounce and blend and reproduce. Passions
> > > > > > infuse.
> > > > > > Keep
> > > > > > us in tightly sealed containers and nothing new happens.
> > > > > > Juxtapose
> > > > > > us
> > > > > > and there is possibility. For fire.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > Which raises for me the question of why do people try to
> > > > > > keep
> > > > > > others
> > > > > > in
> > > > > > tightly sealed containers, such as "do me" audiences who are
> > > > > > not
> > > > > > allowed
> > > > > > to talk back, let alone with each other? Is it lack of
> > > > > > experience
> > > > > > with
> > > > > > any container where people can let their lights shine on
> > > > > > each
> > > > > > other?
> > > > > > Is
> > > > > > it fear of the fire? Something else?
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > Ever notice that after a play or a good seminar, when we go
> > > > > > home
> > > > > > we
> > > > > > want
> > > > > > to talk about it? We want to assimilate it, re-enjoy, extend
> > > > > > it.
> > > > > > What if
> > > > > > we could harness that energy at the event itself? Get the
> > > > > > people
> > > > > > there
> > > > > > to assimilate, re-enjoy and especially extend it, starting
> > > > > > right
> > > > > > there?
> > > > > > What if?
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > Is this what OS is?
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > :- Doug. Germann
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > *
> > > > > > *
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