[OSList] What would an open space government system look like?

[Kári Gunnarsson]

Hi Paul,

My experience of real government is also that the process is "whatever
works". I now wonder how to invite the government people to learn this
skill-set of opening some space.


On 26 March 2013 14:39, paul levy <paul at cats3000.net> wrote:
> A very small bit of a reply to your large question...
>
> I've worked with local government in the UK over the years. Government is
> very document and formal meeting-led. Meetings tend to be bureaucratic and
> very agenda-based and yet, in many meeitngs I've facilitated, the agenda is
> often departed from, or even thrown out all together. often agenda items go
> off at tangents and meetings get lost and frustrating.
>
> On occasions I've offered pop-up open space, described ere:
> http://rationalmadness.wordpress.com/2013/03/12/pop-up-open-space/
>
> A simple: "Hey why don't we open some space here and create a new agenda?"
> is often welcomed, especially if, as facilitator, you are trusted.
>
> A quick market place and off we go. Some sessions form around pre-existing
> agenda items, other new sessions emerge.
>
> I don't even bother with an intro to open space. That is one less thing to
> do.I find there is so much pent-up frustration in many government employees
> and a wish to get things not (not always but often), open space feels
> natural and freeing up.
>
> Not always, but sometimes, a pop-up open space is a delightful alternative
> to the traditional agenda-driven way of government and it can often thrive
> under the radar of senior management officialdom? And how is that possible?
> For this reason: government bureaucracy is rarely about process but often
> about written records and minutes. In open space, sessions get written up,
> so who cares higher up how we got there?
>
> Sometimes it works. Sometimes.
>
> Paul
>
>
> On 26 March 2013 12:47, Kári Gunnarsson <kari.gunnarsson at simnet.is> wrote:
>>
>> It is closing on election day here in Iceland, several new political
>> parties are forming, some with parliamentarians from the older
>> parties. ...
>>
>> This idea that the modern western government system is closed and
>> siloed is worrying to me, I think it could be better. What would an
>> open space government system look like?
>>
>>
>>
>> On 25 March 2013 21:23, David Glenwinkel <david at villagecare.com> wrote:
>
>
>>
>> > Thanks Harrison,
>> >
>> > I was a project trainer for Peace Corps Volunteers in the early 70’s, my
>> > mom
>> > was a country director. I have worked with PC guys on the ground in
>> > Kenya
>> > and Uganda, and it really revolutionized a few of them, one stayed with
>> > our
>> > work in Lugazi Uganda for over a year. In the end I just didn’t have the
>> > time and drive to work it “up the slope” to the right folks. Hopefully
>> > some
>> > human resources are coming together that might take us to the right
>> > place.
>> > You are so right about anything new or different not having as much
>> > chance
>> > as an ice cube in hell of getting anything but fried by our siloed and
>> > closed government system.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
>> > [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Harrison
>> > Owen
>> > Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 1:01 PM
>> >
>> >
>> > To: 'World wide Open Space Technology email list'
>> > Subject: [OSList] Conversations with David (retitled)
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Thanks Tricia! Great to have this summary here on OSLIST. I know there
>> > are
>> > lots of other electronic venues (Google Docs, etc) that are
>> > better/sexier/whatever – but having something HERE accomplishes two very
>> > useful things, I think. First, it makes it easily available to the
>> > global OS
>> > community – some of whom are still running on Dial-up and don’t have all
>> > the
>> > newest bells and whistles. Secondly, having a place on OSLIST insures
>> > that
>> > the discussion will automatically become a part of the large and growing
>> > Archives of the OS experience. I forget how many years we’ve got going
>> > now,
>> > but it more than a few – and it is all searchable.  So many thanks!!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > And a few comments: Peace Corps – As an old Peace Corps staff member (I
>> > mean
>> > really old, Liberia/’67-70), but with some continuing connections, I am
>> > sure
>> > that the Village Care approach could be a marvelous fit with some
>> > volunteers’ efforts. However, the way “in” does not run through
>> > Washington.
>> > In fact it is almost a rule that innovative program initiatives never
>> > start
>> > there. They start in the field with the volunteers. Washington support
>> > can
>> > be helpful, but a “Washington Initiated Program” most usually is Dead on
>> > Arrival. So David – with all your folks on the ground in Africa – just
>> > have
>> > them talk to the volunteers, and tell their story.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > As for the Cabbies – true story. Happened in Tembesa, which is near
>> > Jo’berg,
>> > RSA. There was indeed a little violence. The Cabbies were shooting each
>> > other for fares. Messy to say the least, and then somebody suggested an
>> > Open
>> > Space with all the Cabbies. They looked at me and thought I would jump
>> > at
>> > the chance. But the truth of the matter was, I was terrified. Can you
>> > imagine standing in the middle of a circle of armed cab drivers who had
>> > been
>> > shooting each other? That’s when I came up with Plan B – “Economic
>> > Development for Tembesa.” I figured with some more and different folks
>> > there
>> > at least might be some cover.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Harrison
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Harrison Owen
>> >
>> > 7808 River Falls Dr.
>> >
>> > Potomac, MD 20854
>> >
>> > USA
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > 189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)
>> >
>> > Camden, Maine 04843
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > 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 Tricia
>> > Chirumbole
>> > Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 11:39 AM
>> > To: World wide Open Space Technology email list
>> > Subject: Re: [OSList] Village Care skype III - 1pm EST today!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > okey doke, text follows!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > I wanted a shared google doc so that we could have a running account
>> > that
>> > was both editable and accessible by everyone. So I sent an invite that
>> > allowed people to request access.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > SO, as a compromise, anyone interested in access to the google doc - let
>> > me
>> > know and I will invite you individually :)
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > NOTES>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Village Care skype 1
>> >
>> > ·         David shared the history and model for Village Care programs
>> > in
>> > Africa that are built on self-sufficiency and open space-style events.
>> > The
>> > programs involve gatherings that are usually 3 days with roughly 2 days
>> > structured facilitation and 1 day Open Space, along with many other
>> > elements.
>> >
>> > o   There are a few different program types including: Basic home
>> > practices
>> > and Outcomes for Business.
>> >
>> > o   David will share the detailed program description upon request.
>> >
>> > ·         Participants shared their interest in and questions about the
>> > Village Care program – David answered a number of our specific queries.
>> >
>> > ·         Participants shared their stories about holding OS events in
>> > different cultural contexts.
>> >
>> > ·         We agreed to continue holding the skype sessions as there was
>> > a
>> > lot to talk about – agreed to one hour duration for each conversation.
>> >
>> > ·         This is very rough and incomplete as I did not take notes on
>> > this
>> > call!! :O
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Village Care skype 2
>> >
>> > ·         Participant mentioned his use of “pop-up open space”: When an
>> > event is getting stale or losing energy, he suggests opening up some
>> > space
>> > for next part of day/event. ..I think
>> >
>> > ·         Participant raised the idea of getting the Peace Corps behind
>> > the
>> > Village Care program. She is a previous Peace Corps volunteer.
>> >
>> > o   David loves the idea and has tried to get the Peace Corps involved,
>> > even
>> > traveling to DC to promote the idea, but had not made any progress.
>> >
>> > o   Open to the idea of pursuing this if anyone has any contacts as he
>> > feels
>> > the missions of Village Care and Peace Corps are complimentary and that
>> > the
>> > Village Care model could provide Peace Corps volunteers with an
>> > efficacious
>> > program in contrast to the many assignments where there is not much to
>> > do or
>> > a poor structure.
>> >
>> > ·         David introduced a book that he wrote called, The Insanity of
>> > Africa – available to purchase on the Village Care website – proceeds
>> > support the programming
>> >
>> > ·         Participants shared stories about follow-up to Open Space
>> > events
>> > and successes that were reported ex post facto
>> >
>> > o   David was told by a client in Nigeria that, “Even if you never come
>> > back, we will have been changed forever.”
>> >
>> > o   Linda discusses a story from client in Boulder, CO – a young,
>> > successful, start-up tech company who she worked with early on in their
>> > career with traditional Open Space events. The company incorporated the
>> > OS
>> > process into their regular meetings. Some years later, she was joining
>> > them
>> > again for an event and was asked if she had ever heard of Open Space.
>> >
>> > o   Linda provides a separate “next steps” form during some OS events.
>> > This
>> > can be posted to the OS report so that participants can sign up for next
>> > steps even if they were not a part of the group that created them.
>> >
>> > ·         Question was raised about whether or not anyone was developing
>> > metrics for what works and what doesn’t/
>> >
>> > ·         OS story from Harrison relayed second-hand by participant.
>> > Harrison was called in to a country to help with the issue they were
>> > having
>> > with “cab wars” – conflict over cabbies trying to win customers. I think
>> > there was an issue around cabbies feeling like customers were being
>> > stolen
>> > out from under them, maybe fierce price competition, and perhaps even
>> > some
>> > violence? ….not sure…What was uncovered was that the whole town was
>> > experiencing economic problems, of which the cab wars were one
>> > manifestation. The whole town was invited to an open space events and a
>> > number of issues were resolved, including the cab issue….is this
>> > accurate?
>> >
>> > ·         Participant, I think Paul Levy, quoted Rudolph Steiner in
>> > reference to his thoughts about OS and follow-up, “Spiritual time runs
>> > backwards” – roughly paraphrased…explained that he feels that the follow
>> > up
>> > can precede the Open Space and that it is not always about action to be
>> > generated, but about traveling back in time to the source, not always
>> > forward to action, but back toward remembering what they already know…
>> >
>> > ·         At the same time, part of a good invitation, is an invitation
>> > to
>> > action – make it clear that you can start a session focused on action
>> > planning at 9am the first day, you don’t have to always wait until the
>> > end
>> > impatiently and wait for formal convergence.
>> >
>> > o   Beatrice adds that this all depends on the objective of the client
>> >
>> > ·         Skye Hirst and Tricia Chirumbole are both motivated to connect
>> > with David about potential collaborative opportunities.
>> >
>> > o   Tricia is interested in getting her contacts in Ghana involved with
>> > Village Care.
>> >
>> > o   She is also interested in exploring ways to scale Village Care,
>> > including to “developed” countries.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On Mon, Mar 25, 2013 at 11:29 AM, Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net>
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> > Our moderator is a wonderful self-selected volunteer in the best of OS
>> > tradition – one Harold Shinsato. He actually moved us from our old home
>> > at
>> > Bose State to our new digs. In an effort to save space and keep thing
>> > simple
>> > things like attachments and graphics are generally avoided. So the
>> > easiest,
>> > best way to post stuff is not with an attachment, but just put it out
>> > there,
>> > loud, clear, bold, and beautiful.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Harrison
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Harrison Owen
>> >
>> > 7808 River Falls Dr.
>> >
>> > Potomac, MD 20854
>> >
>> > USA
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > 189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)
>> >
>> > Camden, Maine 04843
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > 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 Tricia
>> > Chirumbole
>> > Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 11:09 AM
>> >
>> >
>> > To: World wide Open Space Technology email list
>> > Subject: Re: [OSList] Village Care skype III - 1pm EST today!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Hey Harrison!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Attached is a word doc w/ some notes - they are not complete, and likely
>> > not
>> > entirely accurate :o
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > I created a google doc and shared it with the list on Friday, BUT, it is
>> > awaiting moderator approval since it came from some google-based email
>> > address, which is not a member of the OS list.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Do you know who this shadowy list moderator is???
>> >
>> > On Mon, Mar 25, 2013 at 11:06 AM, Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net>
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> > Hi Tricia! It’s me again. Still wondering what is happening with all
>> > this
>> > marvelous Skyping! Just a teaser would surely do.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > J
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Harrison Owen
>> >
>> > 7808 River Falls Dr.
>> >
>> > Potomac, MD 20854
>> >
>> > USA
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > 189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)
>> >
>> > Camden, Maine 04843
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > 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 Tricia
>> > Chirumbole
>> > Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 9:31 AM
>> >
>> >
>> > To: World wide Open Space Technology email list
>> > Subject: Re: [OSList] Village Care skype III - 1pm EST today!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Sorry about that Jamie! The time is EDT.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On Mon, Mar 25, 2013 at 9:21 AM, Jamie Colston
>> > <jamiecolston at googlemail.com>
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> > Hi Tricia
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Is it est or edt? Just to check as I need to find out what my local time
>> > is?
>> > My Skype name is below
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Jamie
>> >
>> > Jamie Colston
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Tel: 07909442006
>> >
>> > Email: jamiecolston at gmail.com
>> >
>> > Skype: father_to_zephyr
>> >
>> > Twitter: spearthwarrior
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Programme Leader
>> >
>> > www.now-here.com/ecl
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Facilitator & Catalyst
>> >
>> > Www.greenvisionmovement.org
>> >
>> >
>> > On 25 Mar 2013, at 12:57, Tricia Chirumbole
>> > <tricia at investorswithoutborders.net> wrote:
>> >
>> > Hi all!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > By popular vote, the Village Care skype with David Glenwinkel will
>> > commence
>> > today, Monday March 25th at 1pm EDT - pending David's confirmation.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > I will initiate the skype, but I need to be on another call, so I will
>> > only
>> > have from 1pm-1:05pm EST to get all interested participants on the call.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > If you want to be on and we are not yet connected on skype, please: 1)
>> > send
>> > me your skype name, and 2) accept my request for you to share your
>> > contact
>> > info via skype.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Doodle link to confirm your interest in participating:
>> > http://doodle.com/v5hheuq6kdmmsfhk
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > btw, on Friday I typed up notes from previous calls and shared with the
>> > OS
>> > list via a google doc - email w/ attachment is pending approval by the
>> > OSlist moderator - whoever that shadowy figure might be :)
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Thanks!
>> >
>> > --
>> > Tricia Chirumbole
>> > US: +1-571-232-0942
>> > Skype: tricia.chirumbole
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > OSList mailing list
>> > To post send emails to OSList at lists.openspacetech.org
>> > To unsubscribe send an email to OSList-leave at lists.openspacetech.org
>> > To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
>> > http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > OSList mailing list
>> > To post send emails to OSList at lists.openspacetech.org
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>> > To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
>> > http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Tricia Chirumbole
>> > US: +1-571-232-0942
>> > Skype: tricia.chirumbole
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > OSList mailing list
>> > To post send emails to OSList at lists.openspacetech.org
>> > To unsubscribe send an email to OSList-leave at lists.openspacetech.org
>> > To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
>> > http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Tricia Chirumbole
>> > US: +1-571-232-0942
>> > Skype: tricia.chirumbole
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > OSList mailing list
>> > To post send emails to OSList at lists.openspacetech.org
>> > To unsubscribe send an email to OSList-leave at lists.openspacetech.org
>> > To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
>> > http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Tricia Chirumbole
>> > US: +1-571-232-0942
>> > Skype: tricia.chirumbole
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > OSList mailing list
>> > To post send emails to OSList at lists.openspacetech.org
>> > To unsubscribe send an email to OSList-leave at lists.openspacetech.org
>> > To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
>> > http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Kári Gunnarsson
>> kari.gunnarsson at simnet.is
>> gsm: +354 8645189
>> _______________________________________________
>> OSList mailing list
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>
>
>
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-- 
Kári Gunnarsson
kari.gunnarsson at simnet.is
gsm: +354 8645189