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<font size=3>Thank you very much Jay. I really appreciate this
response.<br>
<br>
Esther<br>
<br>
At 01:59 PM 11/18/99 -0500, you wrote:<br>
>In a message dated 11/15/99 6:44:08 PM, eewing@inforamp.net
writes:<br>
><br>
><< What kind of up front do you do to prepare groups and
organizations to do<br>
>OS?<br>
>Or put another way, what preparation work do you do ahead of the OS
to raise<br>
>the chances of success and implementation? >><br>
><br>
>My clients often ask me for a brief letter on how to prepare for Open
Space.<br>
>Below is an example of what I would say, when asked. This
would be about<br>
>it. - J<br>
><br>
><br>
><br>
>Get ready for a whole new way of doing business!<br>
><br>
>On Wednesday and Thursday, in Steamboat Springs, the CLIENT will
gather in<br>
>Open Space to consider the retreat theme:<br>
><br>
>HOW DO WE USE OUR FOCUS AS A STRATEGIC THINKING ORGANIZATION TO
ACTUALLY MEET<br>
>THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES WITH OUR PROGRAMS?<br>
><br>
>We all know there is more to do, more to be, and more to
become. We can take<br>
>ourselves, our regions, our Foundation, and our society to a whole
new level.<br>
><br>
><br>
>What is Open Space?<br>
>Open Space is a means of meeting to share critical information in
a<br>
>self-organizing fashion. It is used to mobilize talent around
business<br>
>issues in surprising and unpredictable ways. Open Space is also
used (and<br>
>was initially designed) to convene conferences in ways that
maximize<br>
>interaction and participation.<br>
><br>
>The Foundation embraces it now as a simple yet powerful meeting
process that<br>
>lets you quickly organize discussion groups about topics you care
most deeply<br>
>about, with just those people who share your passions. This is
your chance<br>
>to convene a discussion group on a topic close to your heart!<br>
><br>
><br>
>What happens exactly?<br>
>We start the day in a circle. A facilitator states the theme
and some simple<br>
>guidelines. Participants who wish to convene a discussion group
step into<br>
>the circle and announce their topic. They post it with a time
and place.<br>
>Everyone chooses how to spend their time. There is no other
agenda. We end<br>
>the day in a circle.<br>
><br>
><br>
>How do you get ready?<br>
>There is absolutely nothing you must do to prepare for open
space. Just come<br>
>with an open mind, and see what happens. Your heart will tell
you what to do<br>
>next. You may be inspired to present an issue for discussion,
or you may<br>
>not. You may choose to go to session after session, or you may
not. Instead<br>
>you may find yourself settling into a comfortable spot, and letting
people<br>
>come to you. Or you may walk around the grounds. You will
find your own<br>
>perfect way to experience Open Space.<br>
><br>
>Of course, many people ruminate on the theme before hand, and prepare
a topic<br>
>for presentation, and even materials. If you are so inspired,
go for it!<br>
>And then spread the word! This is your chance to put your
passion out in the<br>
>marketplace of ideas, and find out who else shares it.<br>
><br>
>See You in Steamboat!<br>
><br>
>Jay W. Vogt<br>
><br>
>Jay W. Vogt<br>
>Peoplesworth<br>
>166 Hubbard Street<br>
>Concord, MA 01742-2448 USA<br>
>(978) 371-3134 - Voice<br>
>(978) 287-5431 - Fax<br>
>jaywv@aol.com - Email<br>
><br>
><br>
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