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<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=150294618-18022000>Different viewpoints in the Open Space of this universe
add to our vast treasure of life. My friend Ward often says that if we each
agree with each other, more than one of us is not needed. (this phrase may serve
him well in our married life :-))</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=150294618-18022000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=150294618-18022000>I have
been following the discussion on advanced planning and on Harrison's "one more
thing not to do". I agree that once the space is opened it is up to the
facilitator to get out of the way, to hold the space and so on. And I highly
endorse personal practices of getting to a state where the facilitator respects
the wisdom of the group, and doesn't get their own stuff (particularly need to
fix) in the way. And personal preparation is different for each of us, and a
lifetime practice just for really living. Whatever works, do it. I call
this making genuine contact ---with Source (Spirit, however interpreted), with a
collective (group/organization), with one other, and with the self. And living
from that place.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=150294618-18022000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=150294618-18022000>I also
know that the actual opening of space--the circle, the words, and not letting
space invaders take over is very very controlling and not open at all. Does
anyone dare admit how controlled and controlling the opening is? Not at all in
the land of being open. Interestingly, to get really open, one needs to control
the making of the container for the opening. And then I see that the stage of
convergence is also very controlled. Bunker/Alban said this is not Open Space
Technology and so it is just an add on that Harrison thought of after the fact.
I personally see it as very much a part of Open Space Technology and don't close
the circle until after we know what the priorities are for the collective, and
what next steps they want to take on those. Which takes me to an interesting
story. I remember working with Harrison at a conference. It is one we have each
told the tale of a number of times because there was so much conflict and we
each had to really stay out of it and hold the space and at the end, a co
alition was formed, conflict had been addressed well, and the group gave great
thanks to each of us for how we held the space. But a part of the story I
haven't told often is the part to do with convergence and moving things to
next steps. Even though at that point I had attended about 4 of Harrison's
training sessions, had previously worked with him, and been in many discussions
with him, I had never heard of this convergence. It didn't appear in the first
version of the users guide. and only has about a paragraph in the current
version.So....we were in the final morning of the Open Space and the next thing
I knew, voting was happening using computers, we were whipping flip chart stands
around the room and quickly writing on them. Busy, busy action to get things
moving as the group voted and then broke into action intended groupings. Once I
caught my breath, I asked Harrison what this was. He replied "convergence" as
though I should have known about it and he was perplexed that I didn't. I said
he'd never mentioned it before. All of this activity is also controlled, using
traditional facilitation practices although shifting them a bit to be congruent
with the values of Open Space Technology. So, there is the really OPEN SPACE and
there is the total picture of Open Space Technology and they are not the same,
at least in my experience.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=150294618-18022000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=150294618-18022000>Having
said that, I continue to encourage personal preparation as spoken about by
others. It is ONE important aspect of facilitating Open Space Technology well.
To understand the art of being, and not doing. Which allows us to experience
Spirit.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=150294618-18022000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=150294618-18022000>I also
encourage that theme, givens, and logistics get worked out up front. And in the
process, as Larry says, one might find that there is more work to be done to
create the organizational conditions for Open Space Technology. Or one might
find that OST is not the best way to go. The way I look at this is that it
really is the sponsor that opens the space in the organization. We are merely
the facilitators who facilitate (open the space) an Open Space Technology
meeting. They live with their organization before the event. They open the space
for it to happen. They live with the aftermath be it good or bad. I want to
equip them with the best that I have to offer so that they too can attend to
their personal preparation and organizational preparation for Open Space
Technology to do its work. And for space to be opened, if only for a short
while, enabling whatever is needed to be experienced. I have respect for
sponsors as human beings and know they will go through a number of things,
generally including personal fear. I can't and don't want to take this away from
them, but like a good midwife, I can prepare them for it, and tell them it is
normal, when it is happening.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=150294618-18022000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=150294618-18022000>I
continue to encourage that Open Space Technology be well done, which will be
different for each of us as we bring our unique gifts. There is no "right" way,
but we can give it our best. It is one of the reasons why I have such a strong
commitment to having developed and leading a "training" program. Through it, I
share my experiences, my preparation with sponsors and why, how I work with
sponsors in a debrief meeting, as well as emphasing both essence and form. I am
running with my passion and with that for which I am prepared to take
responsibility. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=150294618-18022000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=150294618-18022000>I
don't get into thinking of "one more thing not to do". I don't want to limit
myself from finding one more thing that I might want to do if it is from my
heart, in keeping with Open Space principles. I realize that people using the
Law of Two Feet applies to their reaction to me too. I focus my energies and
efforts on truth, authenticity, non-judgement, and making genuine contact--me
making genuine contact, me assisting others to make genuine contact. Including
assisting a group to create the conditions for Open Space Technology to be used.
Including assisting them in clarifying what the parameters for the Open Space
are. If this is seen as too much traditional interference, I plead guilty
as charged. If this is seen as an approach that works/has the potential of
working, I invite you to do a learning journey with me and whoever else shows up
in that group (we learn from one another).</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=150294618-18022000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=150294618-18022000>Birgitt</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Arial Black" size=2>Birgitt Williams</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Arial Black" size=2>Make Genuine Contact!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Arial Black" size=2>Dalar Associates: organizational
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Arial Black" size=2>effectiveness consultants</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="Arial Black" size=2>Contact us for consulting services,
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href="http://www.openspacetechnology.com/">www.openspacetechnology.com</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> OSLIST
[mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]<B>On Behalf Of</B> Harrison
Owen<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, February 17, 2000 5:25 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<BR><B>Subject:</B> One More Thing Not To
Do<BR><BR></DIV></FONT>Bitgitt's most recent note said or implied some nice
things about me, a few of which might actually be true --<BR><BR><FONT
color=#0000ff>"One other element I have brought into some training sessions
that I have done with Harrison, when I interrupt him to do a stage whisper
with participants: there are those things to do with Open Space Technology
that Harrison and only Harrison can do/get away with because he is Harrison.
And then there is the real world for the rest of us and sometimes we have a
few extra steps :-)</FONT> " B. Williams<BR><BR>At least I thought they might
be nice, but how-some-ever, I do want to take small issue. Particularly about
those things which I alone can do -- or get away with. <BR><BR>I am not so
modest to as to be blind to some of the special quirks I may bring to Open
Space, and the position of founder does provide a certain licence to
innovate.<BR><BR>However, I am absolutely convinced that there is nothing that
I do or, don't do, that can't equally well be done (not done) by just about
anybody else -- should they care to. <BR><BR>This is not about the details,
and certainly not about mimicking all my moves and words. God forbid. It is
about being authentically who you are in such a fashion that space is opened,
and folks are truly invited to the dance. So, to do what I do is not to be
what I be. Rather it is to be you -- fully and completely. And that, of
course, only you can do.<BR><BR>Needless to say, I can't tell you how to do
that -- but I do have a suggestion. Something that has worked for me over the
years. It's simple, just think of one more thing not to do, and don't do
it.<BR><BR>Many people newly arrived in Open Space as facilitators try ever so
hard to get it all "right." There is some value in this if only because we --
that is all of us over the years -- have learned a few things which new folks
might as well take advantage of (start in a circle, create a bulletin board,
open the market place, get out of the way). It is probably a good place to
start. But don't stop there.<BR><BR>My learning has been that a lot of what
gets done additionally accomplishes two useful, but not central goals. It
keeps the sponsor happy (he/she thinks you are doing something) and it keeps
the facilitator happy (you have something to DO.)<BR><BR>Not bad. But there is
a price tag. Any time you do something, particularly something that is
"right," you run the risk of throwing a veil over that critical contribution
only you can make -- which is you just being there.<BR><BR>Anyhow, I think I
do "Harrison" pretty well. Somehow he appeared from underneath all that stuff
that I had been taught to do, felt was "right to do," sensed I ought to
do. It isn't perfect, but it feels better and better particularly when I think
of one more thing not to do. Try it, you might like
it.<BR><BR>Harrison<BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR><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></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>