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<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>Okay, here are my answers:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2><EM><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>What has enabled the Open Space listserv to
flourish?</FONT></EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>* I think the underlying ethic that informs
Open Space itself -- generosity of spirit -- is a central reason the list
flourishes. There is a huge willingness to share, a courageousness to ask,
a capacity to listen across differences that I consistently experience on this
list.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>* The list operates in Open Space
(no moderator, or all of us moderating on behalf of the whole), so it is
completely congruent with the subject.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>* It welcomes all generations -- the
person who has just heard of OS, the people who were there at the beginning, and
those of us in the middle. And what's cool is we seem to have permission
to show up just as we are: experts on our own experiences and beginners in our
wonderings. (As an aside, on another list that I won't mention by
name, most of the very experienced practitioners have disappeared into
their own space. I think it is a huge loss for everyone. The
newcomers don't get the benefit of stories of great depth and the experienced
folks don't get the benefit of being stimulated by emerging questions and a new
generation of incredibly creative practitioners.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>* It works...as I recently said, you are
my sounding board. I'm able to do audacious work because it is grounded in
learning from all of you. Even if I haven't experienced something
directly, I know through your stories that "xyz" is possible and am therefore
more willing to take a leap when a client asks "is it possible
to..."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>* It is a place where anyone can
ask and anyone can answer. All stories are welcome, we play, write
poetry and come as close to dancing and singing as anything I can imagine
in a text-only space. I experience a huge amount of acceptance, a
willingness to engage in productive ways on those occasions when there has been
some sort of conflict.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><BR><EM>In what ways has the listserv helped the Open Space
community of practice to evolve?</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I'm guessing that the practice of Open Space is broader, deeper, more
sophisticated and more confident than it would be without the list.
I'd also say that more people understand OS as a philosophy and life practice
because of the list. We may well have more credibility because of all of
the stories, articles and web sites with information about OS as a result of the
list.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I really feel part of an international consulting firm! If ever
(actually, whenever...I know it is coming sometime soon) an international
project requires OS practitioners from all over the world, we can form a team
quickly and efficiently because of the relationships that we've created through
the years.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I think that OSonOS, the Open Space Institutes (and other variants like
Berlin's BOSCOP) the <A
href="http://www.openspaceworld.org">www.openspaceworld.org</A> web site,
and the wiki -- <A
href="http://www.openspaceworld.net">www.openspaceworld.net</A> have all
contributed to the evolution of the practice but the immediacy of the list to
questions of the moment makes it particularly valuable to learning in real
time.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>In what ways has it affected you and your own practice to
evolve?</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV>I know that I feel equipped to take on more ambitious projects because of
what I have learned through the list. I know I've got backup and
support that gives me confidence no matter what situation I run into with a
client. Even with a one-person consulting practice, I am not alone.
The list provides support and colleagueship enabling me to grow. I get to
stand on the shoulders of my friends and they can stand on mine. We get to
be acrobats in Open Space!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>What wishes do you have for the list's future?</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV>My first reaction to this question was that things stay just as they
are! On reflection, here are my wishes:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>...that the foundation that inspires the list remains stable,
meaning that it continues to be guided by the principles and practices of
Open Space.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>...that it continues to be a place for mutual support and connection,
mentoring and being mentored, sharing stories and learning together.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>...that it's form remain fluid, adapting as needs change.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>...that it always be the "heart fire", a place to warm myself alongside old
and new friends and fellow explorers and be a place to which I can send people
who wish to learn more about Open Space.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>...that it be a place of friendship across the world.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>...and that it sparks unlikely partnerships for projects and other
unexpected adventures from time to time.</DIV></FONT>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=peggy@OPENCIRCLECOMPANY.COM
href="mailto:peggy@OPENCIRCLECOMPANY.COM">Peggy Holman</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, January 08, 2005 3:44
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [OSLIST] A question about OS
listserv</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>Friends,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>I was on the phone with Juanita Brown
this morning (our first meeting). No doubt many of you know of her; she
is the creator of the World Cafe (<A
href="http://www.theworldcafe.com/">http://www.theworldcafe.com/</A>).
It was love at first conversation for me as I heard so much compatibility with
why I love Open Space expressed in her stories about the World
Cafe.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>Apparently, she has heard about the OS
list from several colleagues (including the irresistible Alan Stewart).
She asked me what I thought makes it work (actually, she asked this much
more beautifully but I'm saving her wording for you below). I
believe her interest derives from wishing to create a similar resource for the
World Cafe community. I suggested she pose her question to the list
itself. As I ponder my own response, her questions seemed perfect
for the new year -- a moment to reflect on what makes this list such a gift,
what it has meant to you as an individual and to us as a community. Here
are Juanita's questions, with a couple I've added inspired by her
inquiry:</FONT></DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><BR><I>What has enabled
the Open Space listserv to flourish?<BR><BR>In what ways has the listserv
helped the Open Space community of practice to evolve?</I></DIV>
<DIV><I></I> </DIV>
<DIV>And I would add:</DIV>
<DIV><EM>In what ways has it affected you and your own practice to
evolve?</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>What wishes do you have for the
list's future?</EM></DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><BR><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>I'll
forward responses to Juanita every few days. I've encouraged her to sign
up and see for herself, so we may all soon have the pleasure of her
company. In any case, I look forward to learning, once again, from
all who are attracted to this inquiry.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>From snowy Seattle,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>Peggy</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT><BR><FONT
face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>________________________________<BR>Peggy
Holman<BR>The Open Circle Company<BR>15347 SE 49th Place<BR>Bellevue, WA
98006<BR>(425) 746-6274 </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2><A
href="http://www.opencirclecompany.com">www.opencirclecompany.com</A></FONT><BR><BR></DIV><?fontfamily><?param Arial><?color><?param 0000,0000,FFFF>_______________________________________<BR>The
World Café<BR><?/color><I><?color><?param 8080,0000,0000>Living Knowledge
Through Conversations That Matter<BR><?/color></I><?color><?param 0000,0000,FFFF><A
href="http://www.theworldcafe.com">http://www.theworldcafe.com</A> <BR><BR>To
subscribe to the World Café listserv send an email to:<BR><?/color><?color><?param 8080,0000,0000><A
href="mailto:theworldcafe-request@communityfrontiers.com">theworldcafe-request@communityfrontiers.com</A>
<BR><?/color><?color><?param 0000,0000,FFFF>Type the word <?/color><?color><?param 8080,0000,0000>Subscribe<?/color><?color><?param 0000,0000,FFFF>
in the subject line of your message<BR><?/color><?/fontfamily><BR>* *
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