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<DIV><SPAN class=20133912-01052001><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2>I agree
that my relationship to the sponsoring organization and the participants shifts
while I am engaging with a "client". In the planning leading up
to an event (especially and Open Space, but others as well), my primary
relationship is with the sponsors and possibly the cross organization planning
team or even the people that I interview or that others interview as part of the
preparation. I believe that it is the sponsor who chooses to intentionally
"open space" in an organization or in a community. Unless I am
the sponsor, they are accountable for that choice and its impact on the
organization or community. My role is to help them become as clear as we
can be about intent, theme, givens and what they will do with what
emerges. I also help them realize that their learning is critical because
the "dead moose" may emerge. As soon as the sponsor turns the
"event", be it 4 hours or 2.5 days, over to me then my relationship is
with the group and holding the space for the individuals and the whole to
self-organize, experience spirited dialogue and explore the them and then to
converge. After convergence and closing the space, I turn the event back
over to the sponsors. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=20133912-01052001><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=20133912-01052001><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2>There
are many "clients" and one pays the bills. However, that sponsor
is also a key person in intentionally keeping the space open afte the event, or
closing it down. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=20133912-01052001><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2>Not
totally unrelated, but I just completed an Open Space as part of a National
Franchise organization's bi-annual agm. It was a one day plus
convergence. We had a very brief time to set up the room and the
facilities staff were there and did in all in an hour. But, the walls were
of the non-stick sort. As soon as I chimed the cymbals to begin my walk to
bound the circle, every single sign fell off the wall at once. Even the
banner attached with duct tape. The all fell within 30 seconds. It
was amazing. There was a way to quickly put the grid up, but the rest
sayed on the floor. I acknowledged the power of the cymbals and kept on
going around the circle. It turned out to be one of the most powerful
events I've opened. Franchisees, of course, are used to taking risks and
they are in a growth industry so the energy is high. The formal leadership
of the franchise is clear, supportive and knows their business. The event
was a wow.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=20133912-01052001><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2>Larry</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=20133912-01052001><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<ADDRESS><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT color=#0000ff size=2></FONT>
<ADDRESS><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Larry Peterson</FONT></ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Associates in
Transformation</FONT></ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>41 Appleton Ave., </FONT></ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Toronto, ON, Canada, M6E
3A4</FONT></ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>416.653.4829</FONT></ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Fax
416.653.0609</FONT></ADDRESS></FONT><FONT face=Arial>
<ADDRESS><FONT color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2><A
href="mailto:lpasoc@inforamp.net"><FONT
face=Arial>lpasoc@inforamp.net</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial>
</FONT></FONT></ADDRESS><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT
face=Arial>
<ADDRESS><FONT color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2>www.inforamp.net/~lpasoc</FONT></ADDRESS><FONT face=Arial>
<ADDRESS><FONT color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2><A
href="http://www.openspaceworld.com/"><FONT
face=Arial>www.openspaceworld.com</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial>
</FONT></FONT></ADDRESS><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS><SPAN class=20133912-01052001><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </ADDRESS>
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size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
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