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G'day David <br><br>
its great to hear that you've managed to capture 4 days in 4 minutes -
that's a bit of a miracle and no less than I would expect from one so
talented as yourself....while I prefer the longer version and savouring
of all the memories, people and the place of the space, I'm really
looking forward to seeing your compilation - and although hoping that it
might include some flavour of our magical multicultural singing jamboree
on the Sunday evening, I don't suppose you managed to film any of it -
saying as you were our guitarist and music-maker as well....any more
miracles up your sleeve?<br><br>
Welcome to the List <br>
Brendan in Perth<br><br>
<br>
At 08:21 PM 18-12-02 +1100, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><font face="arial" size=2>Hello,
Open Spacers,</font><br>
<font face="arial" size=2>This email is to introduce myself to the list.
</font><br>
<br>
<font face="arial" size=2>My name is David and I have been a research
physiologist, TV producer/presenter, author and museum exhibition
developer. I gained interest in Open Space through a period of intense
frustration with 'conventional' management systems, especially within -
but clearly not restricted to - government. </font><br>
<br>
<font face="arial" size=2>In November this year I video'd the OSonOSinOZ,
at Marysville in Australia, partly to discover more about what Open Space
"is". I learned a lot. You may have the chance to see my
4-minute distillation from 10 fascinating hours of tape...</font><br>
<br>
<font face="arial" size=2>My first email to Birgitt Bolton/Williams is
copied below to illustrate something of where I came from.</font><br>
<font face="arial" size=2>I found the Open Space in Australia uplifting
and deeply moving. I can explain more about that if anyone is interested.
I look forward to dialogues with open-minded, flexible, creative and
positive minds.</font><br>
<font face="arial" size=2>Best</font><br>
<font face="arial" size=2>David</font><br>
<br>
<font face="arial" size=2><br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#000080">Dear
Birgitt,</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times" color="#000080">
<br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#000080">I heard you speaking on
the radio when you were in Melbourne last year and was impressed to the
point of amazement. <br>
You asked - "Why is it that companies spend so much time and energy
selecting and appointing the best suited and most creative people and
then prevent them from being creative?" <br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2><br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#000080">As a film maker and
writer with a very strong drive to be creative, I find myself shackled in
my current position as a Program Director at Melbourne Museum.<br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2><br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#000080">Consider this: Last year
was International Year of Elderly Persons. I had established a great
relationsjhip with staff at the National Ageing Research Institute here
in Melbourne. Together with our Outreach Services group I set up a Public
Forum on the theme "Use it or lose it!". My line manager chided
me for doing this, saying " But it's not in the Business Plan,
can't you organise it for the following year?" This, quite frankly
enraged me, though I really felt very much alone with that reaction.
<br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2><br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#000080">Then consider this: I
have on my desk an A3 form which sets out in extraordinary detail the
process required in order to produce a publication. This chart has to be
seen to be believed. It is in 10 point type, has five columns of steps
and there, right in the middle, is a single line "AUTHOR WRITES
BOOK". When this was tabled at one of our interminable meetings I
was the only one who laughed. <br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2><br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#000080">Then I heard your
interview and I felt immensely relieved that there were other people -
perhaps <b>many</b> other people around the world who smelled the same
big fat rat in the way corporations seemed to be stifling people while
espousing all sorts of lofty ideals in their mission statements
etc.<br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2><br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#000080">So I contacted Brian
Bainbridge and began exploring your Open Space ideas. I
purchased</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times" color="#000080"><i>
</font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#000080">The Rise & Fall of
Strategic Planning</i> which forms a wonderful companion read
to</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times" color="#000080"><i>
</font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#000080">The Unconscious
Civilisation.</i> Then I learned that my friends at Hamilton in western
Victoria had worked very successfully with Open Space.<br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2><br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#000080">I mentioned my concerns
and Open Space to one of our senior managers here at the museum and he
said he would be very interested in hearing more about Open Space. (He's
a rather unusual manager in this place in that he retains a high level of
flexibility - thinks right OUTSIDE the box). As I mentioned to Brian, I
would love to have Open Space presented to our management, but I'm
concerned that it be done really well from the outset - that's why I
asked whether you would be in Australia in 2000. <br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2><br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#000080">Can you advise me how to
proceed? I'd be happy to provide far more information about the
organisation and the sort of issues that concern me, but really wanted to
touch base first and get your initial reaction.<br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2><br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#000080">I look forward to
hearing from
you!</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times" color="#000080"> <br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#000080">Best
regards,</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times" color="#000080">
<br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#000080">David</font></blockquote></body>
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