[OSList] (was) Open Space in schools - now: OST boundaries? constraints?

Fri Oct 4 07:00:15 PDT 2013

What a nice thread!

I am happy for you Jamie, and as a school-dwelling creature I will send you
my good thoughts on the 15th, with the great value of your work in mind.

Re:  Daniel's question about "self-evident or not?"  My musings:

   - Aren't Thomas Jefferson's words interesting from a perspective of the
   practice of holding space?  *(We hold these truths to be self-evident...)
   *
   - I'm thinking that in this world of form (a state of perceived
   separation), I always do things *in relationship.  *Facilitating OST is
   a case in point.  I am in relationship with the sponsor and the group,
   including its culture.  So the specific words I use in the opening appear
   out of the relationship.  I never do it the same twice.
   - One way to think of culture is that it consists of shared patterns of
   paying attention.
   - I agree with Harrison that inviting people to pay attention to
   something beautifully self-evident is a nice thing to do.
   - I think Thomas Jefferson wrote a very nice thing.

Chris

On Mon, Sep 30, 2013 at 6:37 PM, Jamie Colston
<jamiecolston at googlemail.com>wrote:

> Thank you for all your comments. It is interesting how easy it is to move
> from my natural state of  openess and emergence to the tight boundaries and
> structures of a school setting. I have four roles in this job: A
> Facilitator, Programme designer. Trainer and Mentor/Coach to young people.
> I am therefore exceptionally grateful to have this list to share on.
> Just as an update, today, I was part of a group of young people and a
> parent governor who were trained in graphic recording which will be the new
> standard way for students to record meetings, gatherings and open spaces
> throughout the year. We have a confirmed date for the open space now of
> 15th October and I have just completed the invite which I have sent to the
> young leaders for their input and collaborative thoughts. If anyone on this
> list would be willing to have a look I would be grateful for any
> professional thoughts as well.
> My next steps are to spend the week before the event meditating and
> reading the book and watching some inspiring open spaces on Youtube to get
> back into the swing of facilitating again.
> I do not know yet whether i will use many words or few but I definately
> have a sense of the energy I hold within me that can open space and then
> get out of the way!
> Thanks again
>
> Jamie
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 30, 2013 at 8:22 AM, Lisa Heft <lisaheft at openingspace.net>wrote:
>
>>          Dan - I have taken the liberty of adjusting the title of this
>> topic to more closely fit the changed content.
>>
>> And: I look forward to hearing how others respond…
>>
>> 1/ I see the Law and Principles and *invitations* not as constraints.
>>
>> 2/ And not 'required' as in - some of us do not use the 5th Principle at
>> all. However, the saying, inviting and simple explanation of these
>> invitations help to create the structure (as there is a structure, just not
>> the structure that a lot of people have experienced in meetings) / to
>> create the container. What I mean by that is that I have observed that to
>> not offer the invitation of the principles and law (even in a group of
>> people who completely know and do Open Space) is not inviting presence and
>> possibility in the same way. So different dynamics then occur.
>>
>> And in saying that offering these invitations and explaining this process
>> help to create the container, I mean a living, breathing, nutrient-rich
>> container, perhaps similar to some containers like cellular walls, a bird's
>> nest, a lake, a poem, or a wisp of vapor… which have some form within which
>> there is flow.
>>
>> 3/ I notice that some super-good OST facilitators can use more words to
>> explain things, and some use less. And the experience can be amazing. In my
>> observation, it is not the amount of words, it is the complete true
>> understanding of inviting Opening Circle and agenda co-creation (which
>> include a brief explanation of principles and law and process), and getting
>> / staying out of the way so the participants can do their own work, see
>> their own patterns, feel their own co-leadership, and so on.
>>
>> What do others think?
>>
>> Lisa
>>
>>  On Sep 29, 2013, at 10:53 PM, Daniel Mezick <dan at newtechusa.net> wrote:
>>
>>  Lisa says:
>> "...
>> The other thing is that for any kind of facilitation, I would not name
>> boundaries or constraints. It sets peoples' minds in the framework of
>> boundaries and constraints - rather than opportunities and possibilities.
>> Like 'think outside the box' - you are still thinking…of the box! when /
>> because someone says that. "
>>
>> Dan says:
>> I notice that:
>> 1/  the 1 Law and 5 Principles of OST are constraints-in-fact. Are they
>> not?
>> 2/ we are required to describe these as OST Facilitators; at least,
>> according to the OST Guide. Right?
>> 3/ the general idea for the Facilitator is, "the less said the better".
>> No?
>>
>> I think OST is a most wonderful game.
>> http://newtechusa.net/agile/how-games-deliver-happiness-learning/
>>
>> Dan
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
> --
> *Jamie Colston*
>
> Enabling young people to design inspiring events and host conversations
> that matter to them, empowering them to find their voice and take practical
> action towards creating a sustainable, peaceful and equitable world.
>
> *
> *
>
> *M: *07909 442006 *E: *jamiecolston at gmail.com* *
>
> *FB/Linked In/Skype:* Jamie Colston  *Twitter*: spearthwarrior
>
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