[OSList] Private vs Public OST Differences?

Wed Oct 15 08:43:59 PDT 2014

Daniel and all,

In my experience, public events have the same buzz and meaningful results as an in-organization OST.  I’ve facilitated a number of them that were sponsored by a group of organizations in the community.  For instance, Vibrant Phoenix, was a very productive economic development OST, sponsored by two mayors of large municipalities and several local businesses.  One of the business sponsors agreed to be the contact for folks who wanted to take their “actionable ideas” to the next level.  However, there was no budget and no infrastructure to really keep folks connected the the ideas they cared the most about.  

This is where the public open spaces generally fall short.  Because the ongoing action is not the core mission of any of these organizations, it is hoped that the participants will self-organize going forward.  With very few exceptions, this does not happen.  I believe that sponsorship for the work after the OST is what is called for.

The Collective Impact model speaks to this.  It’s nothing new, really, but does represent a simple way to talk about the necessary conditions for sustaining collective action.  I now include my version of this model when I talk with potential sponsors to shine the light beyond the meeting so that we can discuss their intentions for providing backbone support for self-organized action going forward.

I especially love public Open Space events and look forward to working with sponsors who see the meeting as merely the first small step in collaborative action.  There is so much potential!

Warm wishes from a sunny autumn morning in the rain-greened desert,

Christine

Christine Whitney Sanchez, M.C.
Phoenix, AZ, USA • +1.480.759.0262
www.innovationpartners.com 

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On Oct 15, 2014, at 6:33 AM, Daniel Mezick via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

Greetings To All,

I notice that there are many big differences between public-conference-type OST events, and OST events arranged for organizations. 

Do you also notice this? Maybe I am imagining this....just making stuff up...

...maybe not. In many key dimensions, I experience these differences as striking. Even disturbing.

And so I have been poking around inside the GUIDE (3rd edition) and I notice that, in some spots, the implication is that the discussion is about a public event. Up to page 18 for example, this implication is clear:

<THE GUIDE PAGE 18>

Working With The Client if you ARE NOT the Sponsor

"To this point I have assumed that you (the reader) will be the sponsor and facilitator of the Open Space, and therefore it is your decision as to whether or not to proceed...(emphasis added.)

</THE GUIDE PAGE 18>

My current belief is that having the same person in the Sponsor role **and** the Facilitator role is probably a very bad idea for an OST event inside an organization. For the typical public-conference event on the other hand, this seems to work just fine. Kinda like a Barcamp or Unconference....

Another current belief I hold is that OST is the essential tool for creating "Development and Transformation in Organizations". It is best suited for use in organizations. 

It is interesting to note how the Barcamp and/or "Unconference" formats seem to get the same or as-good results as Open Space, in the public conference setting. 

Not so inside organizations! In fact, as of now, I don't think Barcamp or Unconference has any chance whatsoever at being effective in bringing about Development and Transformation in Organizations the way Open Space can. Something about the Sponsor?

Daniel

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