[OSList] Santo / Emergent Governance

John Engle john at haitipartners.org
Tue May 22 15:03:20 PDT 2012


Hi Harrison,

Thanks for messages.

Yep, i totally agree. Yes, as you suspected, all of the roman numeral points are HFH's requested deliverables in their exact language, with  exception of number 1, which we got permission to add this and we communicated that if we couldn't add this as first priority, we were not interested in submitting a proposal.

I.         Nurture a community culture of respect, inclusion, transparency, and authentic dialogue: Ideally, at least one member of every two households plus representatives of surrounding communities must experience, learn to value and become accustomed to using the principles upon which democratic practice relies - respect, inclusion, transparency, and authentic dialogue.

Again, i totally agree with what you've written below.

thanks again,

John
 

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Co-Director
Mobile: 202-236-6532 and 011.509.3136.6495
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On May 22, 2012, at 3:47 PM, Harrison Owen wrote:

> And there is a PS…
>  
> I noticed that on pg 4 (see I really did read the document J) you said that one of the questions to be addressed in the Circles of Change process is, “How do we keep this community from being a slum?” I can understand this might be a concern of HFH, but I am not sure about raising it as a question for discussion, unless of course the people raise it. It is all about “Beans in the nose.” Parental Wisdom 101 tells you, “Never tell a child NOT to put beans in their nose.” The kids probably never would have thought about it, but once mentioned, particularly with a negative, it is definitely something to be tried. Old joke with a definite point – which in a clunky way encompasses the wisdom of Appreciative Inquiry. If you start with a negative (problem) it is very hard to get away from it. On the other hand if the starting point is – “What are the issues and opportunities for creating the community we’d love to live in?” – I seriously doubt that the notion of “slum” would ever come up, and if it does, it will be contexted by more useful (positive) aspirations. But you know all that…
>  
> Harrison
>  
> Harrison Owen
> 7808 River Falls Dr.
> Potomac, MD 20854
> USA
>  
> 189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)
> Camden, Maine 20854
>  
> Phone 301-365-2093
> (summer)  207-763-3261
>  
> www.openspaceworld.com
> www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST Go to:http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
>  
> From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Harrison Owen
> Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 3:53 PM
> To: 'World wide Open Space Technology email list'
> Subject: [OSList] Santo / Emergent Governance
>  
> John – I have now read your documents and already I am confused by the facts, but I love it. Let me say again how much I admire what you are doing and your willingness to share. Terrific! And it occurs to me that my comments online may have cut a little close to the bone (translation: “a little too pointed”). The comments came from real and extended experience with various community development projects and I really can’t apologize for them. That said, I hope you understand that they were not directed at you – especially since I had no idea of what you were proposing. I suppose that is what happens when you are not confused by the facts. J
>  
> As I read the proposal I found myself thinking – You really did as well as you could given that you were writing a proposal to a development organization, Habitat for Humanity (HFH). I have enormous respect for those folks, but they are what they are, and exist in the larger world of NGO’s which puts some definite constraints on how they talk and what they will ask for, as you note. So it comes as no surprise that  most (if not all) of the expected Deliverables are formal structures, procedures, plans, missions and goals, all reported in triplicate and definitely on a timeline. However, I think you and I both know that all of that could be delivered with a net result of one more failed community – well organized and “documented” for sure, but failed nonetheless. There is More… but that “more” may be hard to put in words and virtually impossible to communicate to the likes of HFH, as good as they are. The basic issue is that they (HFH et al) typically have their priorities reversed. The presumption is that formal structure, mission/goals, plans will create the hoped for result (caring citizens). I think it is just the other way around. Caring citizens will create (to the extent that they need to) appropriate structure, plans, mission, plans. It all begins with people who care, their raw passion and responsibility – which will then manifest the needed formalisms. Ah but I know I am preaching to the choir!
>  
> So what to do? Did you ever think about keeping two sets of books? I know that is dishonest accounting procedure, but in situations like yours it can be very useful. That way you and all the good folks from Haiti Partners can keep HFH fully informed in ways they expect and can understand. And then – Describe what is REALLY going on. And if you could share that, we promise not to blow your cover. I think I already know what the major story line is … The people who care will come with their passion and responsibility from which will grow their shared vision, eventually manifesting the structure and formalisms, as needed and appropriate. How all that works out in the details will be the intriguing part – especially the part about how you manage to keep the space open and free from the pre-imposed structures and presuppositions – at least long enough so that the people can do their work. Pretty clandestine, I know, but I do believe we all could learn a real bunch. And, of course, there is no need to keep HFH totally in the dark because when they are ready, or certainly by the conclusion, you can let them know what’s really happening. That could be a genuine learning experience, not only for them but for the larger Community Development community. I doubt that many would actually listen, but you could try. Old cynic that I am…
>  
> How’s that for a Mission Impossible. The offer will self-destruct….
>  
> Harrison
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
> Harrison Owen
> 7808 River Falls Dr.
> Potomac, MD 20854
> USA
>  
> 189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)
> Camden, Maine 20854
>  
> Phone 301-365-2093
> (summer)  207-763-3261
>  
> www.openspaceworld.com
> www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST Go to:http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
>  
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