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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=080452701-13032000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=080452701-13032000>Dear
friends,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=080452701-13032000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=080452701-13032000>Recent conversations
have been rich and diverse. High learning and high play. Caused me to do a
lot of thinking about my beliefs and what the essential ingredients for me are
regarding Open Space Technology. And that took me down a path of thought that
feels important to share. I have recently been reading some excellent texts
concerning Buddhism (thanks to Joe Szostak in Halifax for the first book, "Start
Where You Are"). This book, as other books, speaks a great deal about Open
Space. The importance of Open Space. And in Open Space, enabling self to be
present in in the moment. And all of the other wonderful things that we
experience in an Open Space Technology meeting. And of Open Space as a way of
living.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=080452701-13032000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=080452701-13032000>Now, this has me
thinking that on this list, we may not differentiate between this Open Space of
life, and Open Space Technology. I feel that the differentiation is critical.
Harrison Owen created Open Space Technology. Seems to me that God invented Open
Space. And, in the Open Space that God created, it is fine to be hugely
different in our practices, our fun (nerf balls), our personal growth and the
right to meet our individual personal growth needs (whether we be facilitators
or not) and to play and grow and evolve. And then there is this creation of
Harrison Owen's (as outlined in Open Space Technology : a user's guide) which
some of us like to work with and use as much as possible in this world of ours.
Open Space Technology has certain ingredients that create the conditions for a
meeting. These ingredients are simple to help each other learn and can be easily
duplicated by facilitators around the world, no matter the skill level, the
culture etc. And, we can have a sense of comfort when we hear that someone has
facilitated an Open Space Technology meeting, that simply knowing that conjures
up images of what likely was structured. Appropriate structure. It is not
a formula, nor does it dictate one right way. Much like baking a cake. So long
as all of the ingredients are in place, there can be a lot of variation and
still get the same cake. A chocolate cake is a chocolate cake, tasting different
a bit dependent on the day, the oven, the baker. Forgetting the chocolate or
choosing to omit it in order to simplify the process, creates something that may
be good, but it is not a chocolate cake.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=080452701-13032000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=080452701-13032000>I think that when we
have rich discussions about the Open Space of life, the basic philosophy of
simplifying things or of adding things like a nerf ball or dance, it is an
individual choice and it represents whatever that individual might need for
personal evolution and growth. And it might be entertaining or rich for growth.
I am think though, that when we speak of Open Space Technology, that it
represents a certain thing as described in the User's Guide, giving certain
ingredients, and through the ingredients, ensuring certain standards from
facilitator to facilitator. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=080452701-13032000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=080452701-13032000>The distinction in
my own mind between Open Space and Open Space Technology is important.
</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=080452701-13032000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=080452701-13032000>Birgitt</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=080452701-13032000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=080452701-13032000></SPAN></FONT><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
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<DIV><FONT face="Arial Black" size=2>effectiveness consultants</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="Arial Black" size=2>Striving for Success? Ready to exceed
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<DIV><FONT face="Arial Black" size=2>Contact us for consulting services,
</FONT><FONT face="Arial Black" size=2>training, </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Arial Black" size=2>conference and meeting facilitation,
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<DIV><FONT face="Arial Black" size=2><A
href="http://www.openspacetechnology.com/">www.openspacetechnology.com</A></FONT></DIV>
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