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May 4th, 2000</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>GREETINGS AGAIN,</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>A couple of weeks ago I described in some detail my
first "opening" of space and in reply to one other communication I made mention
of yet another. The first was with 200 16-18year olds + 18 teachers. The second
was with a group of 10 folk in their late 20's. The one other experience I've
had recently was with 16 community organizers for a small rural community
outside of Vcitoria, BC, Canada. That also seemed to go very well. The
process seems to be wonderfully contagious and adaptable.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Although I'm "semi"-retired, I like to keep up
involvement here and there, and have already had the privilege of doing
educational work in 8 countries in the last 18 months, including these three
Open Space experiences. I'm also privileged to be in touch with close to about
1000 ex-students from over 60 countries, ranging in age from 20 through 50 years
in a great variety of work, a good number with major responsibilities in their
countries. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Having had this limited but exhilirating Open Space
experience, I'm rather keen to make it known to this network of younger friends
in the hope that its utility may spread. Naturally, to some limit, I want to
keep my hand in too, and might be willing to go to some places for travel and
local needs costs only. It would be a wonderful way ( along with others) to keep
in touch with these friends and to travel. However, I certainly don't want to be
seen to be "stealing" work from others. What is the present ethical position
on such issues with this List Group? Certainly, if I receive a lot of
response ( i.e. more than I would ever want to handle), I will be delighted to
share the potential assignments with others who might be
interested.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In addition to any comments to the above, I'm
looking for advice on how to "sell" this process most effectively to these 1000
people by a blanket e-mail communication. One way I'd thought about was a
descriptive, friendly letter like the one <EM>drafted</EM> below, along with an
attachment which would describe 2 or 3 varied successful examples- as in
Harrison's OST book. Then I would simply wait for responses.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Below is my draft letter. If you any thoughts
on it or any of the above, please let me know. I will want to proceed with
this before the end of May.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=Arial size=2>Greetings friends,</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=Arial size=2>This is another of our general letters ( bcc
type), but with a difference.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=Arial size=2>Certainly it is a kind of 'check' in to wish
you well and to let you know that we are well. Marg has just successively
finished her first year of this her second Master's programme, this one as a
considerably "mature" student</FONT></EM><EM><FONT face=Arial size=2>; and
I have been on two major trips since we wrote to most of you last autumn. Also,
Marg is just about to go on a trip herelf to lend assistance in the
rebuilding of a Quaker School library in Beirut after decades of turmiol
there.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM>Three times in these past 4 months, I have
been invited to provide facilatation to very different groups using a process
called OPEN SPACE TECHNOLOGY(OST), and I want to share something about that
with you. With a name like OST, you might well think it is some kinky "new age"
process. I can assure that it is not.</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM>I first met OST at Sorrento Centre, the all age
educational conference/retreat centre where I spent my last 4 1/2
years of full time work as its executive director. OST was used there by
others, and Marg & I were both struck by its effectiveness in a variety of
meeting and conference contexts. Then this year, the opportunities came for me
to learn and use the process myelf.</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM>This facilatation technique can be used for
conferences, planning meetings and think tank sessions to name just a few. I've
attached a few cases studies to incite you about possibilities. You can also
check it out on the web <A
href="http://www.openspaceworld.org">www.openspaceworld.org</A> , a web page
constructed by the "founder" of the method. It's use doesn't fit in all
circumstances, and probably should not be used continuously, but it has now been
used extensively in over 60(?) countries, for groups as small as 5 and as big as
1000, and almost always with resouding success.</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM>In short, it is a process which relies neither
on outside speakers or planned workshops. It simply and effectively
empowers the group at hand to accomplish the mission of the meeting or
conference using their own knowledge, wisdom, passion and
skills.</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM>I would be very willing to enter into
converstation with any of you (or those you know) ANYWHERE on earth, about
acting as an Open Space facilatator- or to put you into contact with others who
would be willing & able to do so. For my part, I am not seeking a
particular fee for such service, though that would be a factor in the
conversation; rather, my real 'fees" would be travel assistance in getting
to where you are, "my care" on site and the opportunity to share somewhat
in your lives- an indulgence some of you know me for.</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM>So that's my general letter with a difference.
We always enjoy hearing from and of you, and trust that life is continuing to
give you much fullness.</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM>Cheers,</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM>Marks, of</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM>Marks & Margaret McAvity<BR>Site 50, Comp
16<BR>Galiano Island,<BR>BC, VON 1P0<BR>CANADA<BR>Tel 250-539-2881 (Gal)<BR>Tel
604-827-0305 (Van)<BR>Tel 250-539-0146 (mob)<BR><A
href="mailto:mcavity@jetstream.net">mcavity@jetstream.net</A> (us)<BR><A
href="mailto:mcavity@netinfo.ubc.ca">mcavity@netinfo.ubc.ca</A>
(Marg)</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>That's it. If you got this far, thanks for the
time. This is a great list group.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Cheers,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Marks</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>