[OSList] WOSonOS - future hosts? Wisdom to share...

[Lisa Heft]

Yes, that's what I referred to in my message, Harrison - that you rent  
a church hall and get some muffins and say 'join me' - and that people  
can do it that way as well.
And it's fabulous indeed.

For me, there's zero 'agony of organization' - I enjoy doing all the  
little things I can think of to help people join us. In fact, I help  
the Host Teams every year.

(That's different, of course, than when I facilitate Open Space - I  
don't do things for people or get 'helpy'.)

For me, these sorts of tasks of invitation and inclusion preceding an  
in-person gathering are fun and joyful work. And my 2008 team really  
enjoyed it as well. No agony involved. Just different styles, right?

And whatever our styles, all bringing together a marvelous community...

And I love how you share unexpected surprise funds with the Access  
Queen project.

And I love how you call me Lisa Love...

A bit hug and see you in Florida,
Lisa



On May 9, 2013, at 2:24 PM, Harrison Owen wrote:

> Lisa Love! You do do wonderful things! AND Me thinkest that  
> everybody is working much too hard. Not that I don’t appreciate the  
> effort – yours and everybody else’s. BUT There really is an easier  
> way for WOSONOS or OSONOS – or whatever…
>
> Several years ago (just to make the point) I “convened” OSONOS-BY- 
> THE-SEA in Camden Maine, a small village where I spend my summers.  
> The conference fee was a raging $25 (half of which we didn’t use, so  
> I sent it to “The Access Queen Fund.”). For space I talked to a  
> local church, where I had some connections. As for accommodations I  
> gave the website of the local Chamber of Commerce which listed all  
> Hotels, Camp Sites, B&B’s, etc – figuring that the good folks coming  
> could find their own place. All meals were “on your own” – with all  
> the wonderful eating establishments of Camden available. We did  
> supply coffee/tea and delicious muffins (local of course) – which  
> set us back $50 as I recall.
>
> We actually did this twice. The first year I figured the space could  
> handle 50 – and 50 folks showed up. But it became clear that I had  
> underestimated, and 75 was a more appropriate number. So that was  
> the limit for the following year – and guess what we were “full.”   
> Truthfully, “full” is a miss-statement because I believe everybody  
> who really wanted to come found a place in the space. But we were  
> definitely “full” with wonderful people from all over the world.
>
> As for the “agony of organization” I do have to say, there was none.  
> I think my total effort took place in something less than 12 hours  
> over all. That’s everything. And I truly believe it was less by a  
> half.
>
> Doing less, every day! But it worked and it can work. So folks if  
> you are thinking about hosting WOSONOS or OSONOS – Do what you care  
> to do and it will be wonderful! But there is an easier way.
>
> Harrison
>
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