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<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Reinhard,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Thanks so much for sharing this story. OS process is
truly a practical and effective means to touch the spirit even when human hopes
are shattered. Congratulations to you for your good
work. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Bev McCarthy</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Ashford Group, Inc.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>7398 St. Ives Place</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>West Chester, Ohio 45069 USA</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><A
href="mailto:beverly@ashfordgroup.com">beverly@ashfordgroup.com</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 solid 2px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><B>-----Original Message-----</B><BR><B>From:
</B>Reinhard Frommann <<A
href="mailto:frommann@dialup.nacamar.de">frommann@dialup.nacamar.de</A>><BR><B>To:
</B><A
href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</A>
<<A
href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</A>><BR><B>Date:
</B>Wednesday, August 02, 2000 2:28 AM<BR><B>Subject: </B>Dismissed
employees of the RED CROSS decide to do a Open Space<BR><BR></DIV></FONT>The
Red Cross main office of Berlin has had financial problems since 1997.
<BR>(Triggered by years of mismanagement) <BR>The financial loss
summed up to approximately 50 mill $ The Banks
<BR>pressured the management to put up a plan to cut down the operational
cost. A big international consulting company was called in they found out
that 80% of the operational cost is located to the employees. Management
decided to dismiss 300 employees. The factory committee (Betriebsrat)
negotiated a social plan for the dismissed employees with the Red Cross
management. <BR><BR>A group of dismissed employees stepped out with there
disappointment of the dismissal process. What they wanted was:<BR><BR><FONT
face=Symbol size=4>·<X-TAB>
</X-TAB></FONT>A dignified and respected farewell to there former
workplace<BR><FONT face=Symbol
size=4>·<X-TAB>
</X-TAB></FONT>More then the technical feeling of going away<BR><FONT
face=Symbol size=4>·<X-TAB>
</X-TAB></FONT>Room for bad feeling and talk with dismissed colleges
<BR><FONT face=Symbol
size=4>·<X-TAB>
</X-TAB></FONT>Room for new personal goals <BR><FONT face=Symbol
size=4>·<X-TAB>
</X-TAB></FONT>Broad information ”What to do”<BR><FONT
face=Symbol size=4>·<X-TAB>
</X-TAB></FONT>A ritual to leave a work place after being there from
up to 25 years<BR><BR>The group of dismissed employees asked me if I
would help them with the facilitating of an Open Space. They posted a
invitation:<BR><BR><BR>
<DIV align=center>INVITATION<BR><BR>For you as a dismissed employee to
attend a Open Space<BR><BR><U>What does it mean?<BR><BR></U>Open Space is a
method to give large groups a space <BR>to talk about change. Are theme
is<BR><BR><B>SAY GOODBYE AND START SOMETHINGE NEW<BR><BR></B>You have the
room and space to contribute your theme<BR><BR><U>What is it?<BR><BR></U>A
possibility to talk to other dismissed colleges:<BR><BR>About you
situation<BR>Take a critical look at your past working for the Red
Cross<BR>Give space for your feeling <BR>Figure out action points together
in a group <BR>Think about you future <BR><BR><U>Who had the
idea?<BR><BR></U>A<U> </U>group of dismissed employees who wanted a
space<BR>for exchange<BR><BR><U>When will it take place?<BR><BR></U>13. July
from 10:00-16:00 <BR>14 July from 9:00-15:00<BR>House C 3, 3
Floor<BR><BR><U>Who can come?<BR><BR></U>All dismissed employees if they
want to<BR><BR><U>Food and beverages?<BR><BR></U>We will supply soft drinks.
Please bring along food <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR></DIV>The Open Space took place
as planed. There were approximately 60 participants from all ranks, working
together in 10 different groups. After the Open Space people were very
positive about the process they experienced. 15 Participants decided to open
up there own business.<BR><BR>Reinhard
Frommann<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times"><B>GOE
<BR></FONT><FONT face="Courier New, Courier">Gesellschaft für
Organisationsentwicklung <BR>Berlin/Brandenburg e. V.<BR></FONT>The German
O. D. Network<BR><BR><FONT face="Courier New, Courier">Reinhard
Frommann<BR>Nestorstraße 1 <BR>110711
Berlin<BR></FONT>Germany<BR><BR><FONT
face="Times New Roman, Times">Telefon:<X-TAB>
</X-TAB>0049 30 327 08 650
<BR>Fax: <X-TAB>
</X-TAB>0049 30 327 08 651 <BR>Handy:
<X-TAB> </X-TAB>0049 172 322 45
83<BR></FONT><FONT
face="Courier New, Courier">E-Mail <X-TAB>
</X-TAB> </FONT><FONT color=#0000ff
face="Courier New, Courier"><U>frommann@dialup.nacamar.de<BR></FONT><FONT
face="Courier New, Courier">________________________________________________________<BR></FONT></B></U>*
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