[OSList] Sharing the pre-work of our New Jersey upcoming event

[Alan Stewart]

On 17 June 2011 14:20, Suzanne Daigle <sdaigle4 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi again everyone!
>
> The New Jersey event held on June 14th and 15th was absolutely amazing.
>
> For once, I don't feel I can describe what happened in New Jersey.  It is
> beyond words.   And somehow I feel that the success, intensity and
> excitement of this event belongs to all of you in this worldwide community.
> I know that what happened in New Jersey happens in so many places all around
> the world.  I feel so grateful and connected to all of you in the process of
> doing this work.
>
> To hear people describe how they feel when they are in open space engaged
> in topics that they are passionate about defies words. I will never tire of
> hearing them describe their experiences.
>
> The stats can only give one sliver of description of what happened at this
> 2-day event: 150 diverse people in attendance, many on a wait list, 73
> topics posted; 50+ summary reports and they're still coming in; hundreds of
> photos, lots of tweets, about 25 or more video interviews and a book of
> proceedings of nearly 110 pages. All of this in 2 short (or long) days.
> Many volunteers, a dedicated committee, the best partner ever (Chuni Li)
> plus many others (most of all the participants!) created the magic.
>
> Rather than me describing more, I invite you to check these sample videos
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-0BWV6Vf-E
>
> and
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFq6NYWb7mg&feature=related.
>
> If you search You Tube and type the key words *creativenewjersey*, you
> will find 20 or 25 more interviews with people talking about "Revitalizing
> New Jersey through Innovation and Creativity". Sprinkled here and there, you
> will also hear how they felt about Open Space.
>
> You can also check the event website  http://creativenj.org/  which gives
> another flavor of what happened.
>
> Sleep deprived these past few days, I could not help but share my awe and
> gratitude with you before catching a few winks.  I will also confide that it
> was tough not facilitating this event, letting the client take on this role
> that I love so much. I had provided him with some behind the scenes
> coaching. In the end, it felt like the right thing to do. Today he kindly
> sent me a note that said: "I now understand why you were a little
> regretful about not facilitating. It was great fun and a real high to see it
> all happen so brilliantly. It could be very addictive." In my mind's eye,
> I smile remembering the people lined up by his side to announce their topics
> and later seeing him pick up coffee cups and arranging the chairs in the
> circles for evening news and closing circle. I believe we may well have
> another facilitator in our midst. Life will never quite be the same for him
> as indeed it has never been quite the same for me and many of you.
>
> Thank you dear friends for being there always, wherever you are on this
> planet, as I once again share with you how I feel and what I have lived
> these past few days.
>
> Suzanne
>
>
Dear Suzanne

Congratulations to you on the very positive outcomes of the "Revitalizing
New Jersey through Innovation and Creativity" event and in the manner in
which you and Chuni handled yourselves throughout. I noted your decision on
'one less thing to do' with awe and admiration.

The variety of materials and links you assembled in your report illuminate
nicely how people 'came alive' when they actually got to participate. What
came through clearly to me is their recognition of how unusual an experience
this is - and what can happen when the 'format' is more widely adopted
locally. "We don't need big companies in New York to lead us!"

I reckon that what you have gifted through your report(s) on this enterprise
will inspire us to approach potential clients with enhanced confidence. At
least this is my feeling.

Go well

Alan
Adelaide
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