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Hi all<br>
<br>
Thinking on this the other day, it struck me how fantastic a
thing the OSonOS is in itself. That so many people voluntarily arrange,
host and attend an annual international meeting of this kind is very
rare, and is
proof of the power of Open Space and self-organization.<br>
<br>
The fact remains, though, that in its current form the OSonOS ain't
working for me <span class="moz-smiley-s1"><span> :-) </span></span>This
may be a fault of the OSonOS or it may be because I haven't quite
managed to navigate that gathering, or even because I have unresolved
issues with myself. I frankly don't know. All I can do is acknowledge
my frustration and put my observations out there, and I'm perfectly
open to the possibility that "maybe it's just me". <span
class="moz-smiley-s1"><span> :-) </span></span><br>
<br>
Distilling some of the reactions both on the list and at the
conference itself, I see two lines of thinking turning up repeatedly,
which are:<br>
1: The OSonOS is a place to meet fellow OS'ers and learn and exchange
experiences. As Harrison wrote: They came because they wanted to be
with friends and colleagues in Open Space, share stories, deepen their
understanding of the approach and applications, and I am sure many more
things.
<br>
<br>
2: The OSonOS could benefit from a powerful theme, which might
invigorate the discussions and lend a sense of purpose to the
conference. As Gabriela wrote: <font color="#000000" face="Verdana"
size="2">it came into my mind, that I missed something like an
exciting "main theme". Of course it is an OST on OST. But from my
personal point of view I would prefer to have each year a new "powerful
question" on top of >OSonOS<. This title should give enough space
for diversity, but could give an orientation and direction for new and
deep conversations (space for sharing deep experiences, for telling
stories, and for creativity). </font><br>
<br>
And while I definitely subscribe to #2, my main point is that these two
are not contradictory. They are complementary.<br>
<br>
My main learning from the OSonOSes I've attended (and thanks Zelle for
asking about it) is that OST-meetings do indeed require a sense of
urgency to work. What draws me to these meetings, is the passion and
the sense of community that comes from working together on something
that is critically important and must be done now. And the OSonOS'es
I've seen don't supply that. This makes the whole experience seem a
little "flat" although still undeniably pleasant and worthwhile. My
problem isn't so much with what the OSonOS is - it's the gap between
that and what it could be, if it had the intensity and energy I
know from OST-meeting that do have that sense of urgency.<br>
<br>
If nothing else, taking a closer look at the OSonOS may help us to
define somewhat closer it's purpose, even if we decide not to change a
thing.<br>
<br>
Cheers<br>
<br>
Alex (loving it right here on this planet <span class="moz-smiley-s1"><span>
:-) </span></span>)<br>
<br>
Alexander Kjerulf<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72"><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:alexander@kjerulf.com">alexander@kjerulf.com</a>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.positivesharing.com">http://www.positivesharing.com</a>
+45 2688 2373
Tagensvej 126, lejl. 613
2200 København N
</pre>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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