[OSList] preparing an Osonos

Tue Jun 25 20:13:13 PDT 2013

Dear Eleder,

How wonderful that you are convening an OSonOS and that you have sent the
invitation to more than 150 people.  Having just convened a WOSonOS,  I
would simply say enjoy yourself and let your big heart and warm welcome
shine through.

You already love Open Space and know so much, facilitating OSonOS is so
very special, such a privilege and all you need to do is keep it simple and
be you.

Of course I would suggest the longer the better.... 2.5 days, 3 days.
Everyone will then tell you that time went by so fast; for facilitators, it
is such a treat to be participants and indeed I think doing this is
important and makes us better facilitators because of it. We get to indulge
in the deeper conversations, we get to create stronger bonds of community,
we have the chance to enjoy being with each other. Lifelong friendships
often result.

It is nice to have a small host team who plan and work  together holding
and sharing the space for a heartfelt welcome.  We also involved a number
of young leaders who worked shoulder to shoulder with people who were older
to plan the event. We learned a lot from each other -- as if we were
ageless. It gave a freshness and renewed energy in ways that are hard to
describe. These connections and relationships are still going strong.
Personal invitation over the phone, by email with many inviting, and
face-to-face conversations were critical for us too.

We had a theme about Open Space which stated "The World is waiting... are
we ready?"  It was an optional theme one that added to the learning and
sharing that normally happens in Open Space on Open Space.  I think what it
did was open even more space, wider space.

We also had a few training events (with Diane Gibeault and Lisa Heft) in
the months and days before our event thereby giving people in the community
"the experience of being in Open Space" and many then joined us at WOSonOS.
It was a way to spread the practice and to keep the spirit alive in our
community afterwards.  We wanted to leverage our event as much as possible.

We even partnered with a University on the location and in the process,
faculty, staff and leadership joined our event.

Perhaps some evening activities with spontaneous song and dance would be
nice.  We only had a reception that first night and then everyone
self-organized a few things that they wanted to do... beach with a gang, a
Conversare with Alan Stewart or dinner with faraway colleagues in beautiful
St. Petersburg.

Yes Harrison would say, keep it simple. I agree... along the lines of "one
less thing to do" and what we discovered is that by not being burdened by
unnecessary tasks, we could then do the stuff we really like to do which
did not  feel like work.

All of this is not to say that it wasn't bumpy at times.  You wonder how
many people will actually come. You hope that things will turn out ok on
the money side even though you are trying to keep expenses low. You learn
that a lot happens at the last minute; that people decide late.   But like
childbirth, if you trust the process, in those final weeks, you will feel a
calm and as you open the space and the child is born, you forget the
contractions and it's just the same as always, you hold the space and magic
happens.

It will happen near Bilboa, near the Basque country and it will be special.
I am very sure of that!

Suzanne

On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 11:03 AM, Thomas Herrmann <
thomas at openspaceconsulting.com> wrote:

> Dear Eldeder
> We've had 9 Scandinavian/Nordic OSonOS', usually we have gathered the
> evening before a 1,5-2 days OST, although I agree with Koos - more may be
> better but practical issues have to be taken into account too.
>
> I think preparations before an OSonOS are the same as other OSTs and it is
> great to invite whoever wants to contribute in the preparations.
>
> I agree with HO's advice - keep it simple - then if their is passion and
> responsibility to do extras, go for it.
>
> We have mostly used the theme "Issues and Opportunities of working with
> OST in Scandinavia and the world" kind of theme - it give lots of space and
> focus on what is common for us all. I do think it's important to be clear
> on the purpose of the event. We usually recommend people new to OST to
> attend a training first or at least try to attend an event prior to the
> OSonOS and study and watch videos.
>
> The NOSonOS' are for exchanging experiences, and it is more rich if all
> have at least some experience. August 22-25 are the dates for the 10th
> NOSonOS! We'll gather here: www.ullafyr.com - you are all invited! Hege
> on this list is hosting us this time!
>
> Good luck Elderer
> Cheers
> Thomas
> 25 jun 2013 kl. 12:04 skrev Koos de Heer <koos at auryn.nl>:
>
> Hi Eleder,****
>
> I always like to end an OS on a half day. For some reason, thinking about
> the future in terms of action planning and the like works much better in
> the morning. It is something with the biorhythm of the people I guess.****
>
> For an OSonOS, the shortest I could think of would be 2,5 days. 3,5 would
> be even better. But that may be just me, I just love the different
> perception of time that I get in a somewhat longer OS.****
>
> I would have definitely have a clear theme, but not very focused, make
> sure it is inviting to folks with different backgrounds and interests. One
> of my teachers calls it “sexy and vague”. A theme like that generally works
> best to draw and inspire people.****
>
> Great initiative, I wish you all the luck and love in the world with it.**
> **
>
> Koos****
>
> *Van:* oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org [mailto:oslist-
> bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] *Namens *Eleder_BuM
> *Verzonden:* dinsdag 25 juni 2013 11:55
> *Aan:* World wide Open Space Technology email list
> *Onderwerp:* [OSList] preparing an Osonos****
> ** **
> How are you, my friend?****
>
>
> We are meeting the day after tomorrow to prepare the first Osonos in our
> region, near Bilbao, Basque Country,... (expected to happen next Autumn,
> most potential participants Basque and/or Spanish speakers,... we´ll let
> you know).****
>
> I just mailed the message to remember it to more than 150 people, some of
> which are taking part in the organization, others will be just attending
> the Osonos. In this group of +150 there are practitioners, participants,
> sponsors,...whatever,... all of them passionate about OS.****
>
> My question now. I´ve read the text that Lisa recommend for people who
> invite for Wosonos,...****
>
> Apart from reading this text again, is there something specific you would
> recommend to the convener an Osonos?****
>
> Related to the invitation? What is your opinion on defining a specific
> topic or leaving the space more open?****
>
> What about the length? 1, 1´5, 2, 2´5 days? Your experience on it?****
>
> thanks for your views,****
>
> love,****
> Eleder****
>
> ** **
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-- 
Suzanne Daigle
NuFocus Strategic Group
7159 Victoria Circle
University Park, FL 34201
FL 941-359-8877;
CT 203-722-2009
www.nufocusgroup.com
s.daigle at nufocusgroup.com
twitter @suzannedaigle
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