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At 12:40 AM 4/29/00 -0700, you wrote: <br>
<font face="arial" size=2><blockquote type=cite cite>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></blockquote><br>
*******************************************<br>
Speaking personally, it seems to me that the "ethics" of this
listserve have always been the ethics of Open Space. We treat each other
with respect, we share what we have passion for, and take personal
responsibility for the quality of our actions and the safety of the
space. Beyond that it is pretty much as St Augustine said in a rather
different context -- "Love God and do as you please."
<br>
<br>
When it comes to <i>selling</i> Open Space, there are probably a few
things to be kept in mind. First off, it doesn't seem to work very well
-- at least it never has for me. I can (and do) offer OS, suggest OS,
maybe even "do" OS -- but selling OS in any sense of the word
"sell" that I know of usually turns out to be
counter-productive. There are some reasons -- primary of which is that
nobody owns Open Space. We all do, and so selling something that doesn't
belong to you is a little odd. For me, Open Space is free -- it is
the natural birthright of every citizen of planet Earth. <br>
<br>
Of course, we all have to eat, and usually money -- or something of value
-- is involved in our food chain. So I charge for <i>my</i> services, but
not for the Open Space. I try to make all this clear to a potential
client by informing them of their rights. They have the right to take
what they know about Open Space and do it themselves, and many have. They
could improve the odds by benefiting from experience to date and purchase
The Book. They might raise the ante again and attend a training
program -- or they could spend an awful lot more money and have me do it
all for them. But even then, I let them know that it would not be my
pleasure to be their long term Open Space Person. Next time around
I would be happy to coach, but they should really think about doing what
they can perfectly well do for themselves. -- open space. <br>
<br>
As altruistic, counter-intuitive, or simply nuts -- as all of the above
may seem, I can honestly say that I have never missed a meal as the
circumference of my middle will attest. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Harrison<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>
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