Invitation

[Michael M Pannwitz]

There is no start into a day that could not be improved by a break, 
including a cup of coffee, which, of course, should never be allowed to 
get cold...
mmp

Harrison Owen wrote:
> Ralph -- great stuff as usual. And I was wondering how would apply what you
> have said to an everyday situation? Supposing it is Monday morning at your
> place of work saving the environment in New Jersey. Your inbox and todo list
> are filled to over flowing -- and that cup of coffee (if you had one) is
> getting cold. What do you do next?
> 
> Harrison
> 
> Harrison Owen
> 7808 River Falls Dr.
> Potomac, MD 20854
> USA
> Phone 301-365-2093
> www.openspaceworld.com
> www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Ralph
> Copleman
> Sent: Friday, December 18, 2009 3:51 PM
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Subject: Invitation
> 
> Power, control, and "WOW"...
> 
> When I extend an invitation for OS, I am aware that at least some of those I
> am inviting may feel I am attempting to exercise a degree of power and
> control over some portion of their time and/or mind.  No matter how much
> "Wow" I think I have put into my invitation, I have no control whatsoever
> over what others think.
> 
> My practice is to begin holding space the moment I commit to a meeting.
> This is the way I know to be congruent with what I understand to be open
> space.  If I seek to bend people against their inclination into thinking
> that the meeting is a good idea, important, etc., and then show up and say,
> "Welcome to open space," well then, I haven't been completely consistent.
> And the space is not really open.
> 
> People accept invitations based on the way they think, perceive, think,
> trust, and/or project.  Their lives include a range of circumstances and
> previous commitments.  If I'm authentically holding the space right from the
> moment the idea of the gathering is conceived, there is nothing about the
> choice to accept the invitation that is not completely theirs.  I may, of
> course, offer persuasion, promote possible benefits, or use enticing
> language and images.  As a former public relations practitioner, I am not
> adverse to employing these tools, but I seek a balance that communicates my
> position and beliefs on one hand and the opportunity available to them on
> the other.
> 
> So I have trouble with the idea that invitations "fail".  I like what HO
> says about investigating how I could do things better if nobody shows, and I
> must ultimately let "Whoever comes..." be my guide.  But if people are
> unavailable, too busy, too far away, or just not interested, well, I just
> figure I'm ahead of the curve!
> 
>>>From sunny New Jersey, USA,
> 
> Ralph Copleman
> 
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-- 
Michael M Pannwitz, boscop eg
Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany
++49-30-772 8000
mmpanne at boscop.org
www.boscop.org


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