<html><div>At 10:39 AM 2/10/00 -0600, you wrote:</div>
<br>
<div>>When we mention open space or even just describe the event,
we're</div>
<div>>finding a lot of resistence. People want to know the plan,
the agenda,</div>
<div>>what's going to happen. They want an explanation.</div>
<div>******************************</div>
<div>First off, don't try and explain it to 'em -- they will never
believe you. But you can make certain, very specific promises:</div>
<br>
<div>1) Every single issue that anybody cares about enough to raise will
be on the table.</div>
<div>2) All issues will receive as much discussion as people care to give
them.</div>
<div>3) All discussion will be captured in a book, and made available to
the participants.</div>
<div>4) All issues will be prioitized.</div>
<div>5) Related issues converged.</div>
<div>6) Responsibility assumed for next step actions.</div>
<br>
<div>Note: if you do less than 2 and 1/2 days the last three promises are
a little hard to keep. But not impossible.</div>
<br>
<div>I find that most people don't care about the process (no matter what
the process is) -- they care about getting something done. You can
promise them some action. How much will depend entirely upon their taking
personal responsibility for taking the next steps.</div>
<br>
<div>As for additional support -- I am sure you will find all sorts of
folks online here. Beyond that -- read the book. Practice a few times,
and go for it. </div>
<br>
Harrison
<br>
<div align="center">
Harrison Owen<br>
7808 River Falls Drive<br>
Potomac, MD 20854<br>
USA<br>
phone 301-469-9269<br>
fax 301-983-9314<br>
website <br>
<a href="http://www.mindspring.com/~owenhh" eudora="autourl">www.mindspring.com/~owenhh</a><br>
Open Space Institute websites<br>
<a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/" eudora="autourl">www.openspaceworld.org</a><br>
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