<html>
At 11:35 AM 5/29/01 -0700, Laurel wrote:<br>
<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Regarding your theme, I wonder if
"What can we realistically do this year<br>
and who is going to do it?" is the tone you want to set. If
you're aiming<br>
to energize folks and focus them on the future, putting the theme in
that<br>
context sort of puts a damper on creating commitment, excitement
and<br>
passion. Sticking to only what is "realistic" and setting
the timeframe<br>
within the next year may not be the best way to find the creative
solutions<br>
that OST is so able to accomplish. I'd be leaning toward something
"sexier"<br>
like "Making Ithaca dollars the currency of choice" or
"Enhancing community<br>
spirit in Ithaca with local currency" - with that type of theme,
you'll have<br>
both the structural types and the promoters finding their common
ground<br>
(passion!) and then being able to build from there.</blockquote><br>
I totally second Laurel's observation on themes... Particularly this
theme. Make sure there is plenty of space there in which people can grow
-- getting beyond what's "realistic" on to something that might
be exciting, challenging, perhaps impossible, but nevertheless worth
doing. I do understand all the conversation around "givens" --
but I also understand that all too often, the "givens" are big
stones around your neck when you are trying to swim across the river.
Truthfully, I never met a "given" that couldn't be changed,
given the passion and commitment to do so. It may take a little time, and
occur in ways not in accord with the conventional wisdom, but there you
are. <br>
<br>
Harrison<br>
<br>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<div align="center">
Harrison Owen<br>
7808 River Falls Drive<br>
Potomac, MD 20854 USA<br>
phone 301-469-9269<br>
fax 301-983-9314<br>
Open Space Training
<a href="http://www.openspaceworld.com/" eudora="autourl">www.openspaceworld.com</a>
<br>
Open Space Institute <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/" eudora="autourl">www.openspaceworld.org</a><br>
Personal website <a href="http://www.mindspring.com/~owenhh" eudora="autourl">www.mindspring.com/~owenhh</a><br>
<br>
<font color="#0000FF"><u>OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
</u></font>To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,<br>
view the archives of <font color="#0000FF"><u>oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu<br>
</u></font>Visit: <a href="http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html" eudora="autourl"><font color="#0000FF"><u>http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</font></u></div>
</html>