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<DIV>I too believe that Open Space is an invitation to engage in the large self,
transcending the small self. I also think of it as a process rather than event.
If participants in the event see themselves as inviters into the process, then
they effectively invite people to participate in the larger self of the
community. Those that can't will do the only thing they could. And those that
can will do the only thing they could. Leaving behind any consideration of
regret, we embrace the joy we're invited to discover.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Jack</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>~~~~~~~~~~</DIV>
<DIV>jack ricchiuto</DIV>
<DIV>two.one.six/three.seven.three/seven.four.seven.five</DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.designinglife.com/">www.designinglife.com</A> / <A
href="http://www.appreciativeleadership.org">www.appreciativeleadership.org</A>
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV>------------Original Message------------</DIV>
<DIV>From: Harrison Owen <hhowen@comcast.net></DIV>
<DIV>To: OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</DIV>
<DIV>Date: Sat, May-28-2005 5:54 PM</DIV>
<DIV>Subject: Re: The Question(s)</DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Masud --The issue you raise is of course a real
one. But for some reason, in my experience, it is mostly a theoretical one.
This may be due in large part to the fact that in the early conversations with
a client I am a great pains to insure the broadest possible
representation. I Insist that the invitation be as broadly
extended as possible. There may be some limitations because of physical space
available, in which case my practice has been to make the guest list expansive
and then set in motion an acceptance system based on "first come, first
served." In one large Open Space that I did with Peggy Holman in a large US
corporation (which was very troubled/conflicted) -- we actually issued the
invitations in defined blocks according to the proportional representation of
the skill/professional/geographic groups involved. Folks were given something
like 48 hours to respond and invitations that were not accepted were returned
to "the pool" and available to anybody who cared to come. It wasn't perfect,
and it seemed to work. At least I never heard any complaints -- although
maybe Peggy did. (Peggy ??). But more to the point, if there was a significant
issue in the minds/hearts/soul of anybody anywhere in that company that did
not show its head (ugly or beautiful) -- I never heard anybody say what it
was. Which brings to mind another point. I am sure that there have been
somewhere, some time, some individuals -- who felt excluded for some reason or
another. Truthfully I feel sorry about that, but in terms of the end result, I
am not really sure it makes that much difference. The reason is a simple one.
If the issue felt by the one apparently excluded by faulty invitation or
personal choice is a real, hot, juicy one -- you better believe that somebody
will raise it. There are endless numbers of situations where the gossip said
that if THAT issue were ever raised -- Heads would roll. Ordinarily that
contraband issue is an "early appearer" -- despite all predictions to the
contrary. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>I suppose it is now time to reveal my personal bias --
focus, or whatever. As much as I appreciate and support the rights,
needs, and feelings of the individuals involved -- my focus is always on
the group or organization. In another time and place I have confided to
those who asked that in my opinion, Open Space was not to be confused with
individual therapy -- although it is certainly true that may people have found
it to be of enormous therapeutic value. But that is another story. Once I
start working with a group or organization, I make it very clear that my
personal concern is that the group or organization reach its highest possible
level of effectiveness (however that may be defined). At some level this
requires profound respect for all the individuals involved. But there are
also cases where some of the individuals involved probably need to seek
alternate employment, or whatever. And for them the most useful outcome may
well be to clearly understand that their current organization is simply not
their cup of tea -- and it is time to move on. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Harrison</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Harrison Owen<BR>7808 River Falls Dr.<BR>Potomac, MD
20854<BR>USA<BR>301-365-2093<BR>207-763-3261 (summer)<BR>website <A
href="http://www.openspaceworld.com">www.openspaceworld.com</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=masheikh@COGECO.CA href="mailto:masheikh@COGECO.CA">Masud
Sheikh</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, May 28, 2005 11:35
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: The Question(s)</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>Harrison Owen <<A
href="mailto:hhowen@comcast.net">hhowen@comcast.net</A>> wrote:<BR>The
ticket of admission is CARE -- Careing for The Question. And
of<BR>course, those who care (enough) will be there -- which is why in
my<BR>experience -- whoever comes are the right people. No ifs, ands, or
buts.<BR>><BR>This of course is making the HUGE ASSUMPTION that the host
CARED enough to<BR>make the invitation truly inviting. This may have little
to do with the<BR>words used in the invitation. The invitee may not feel
invited if s/he<BR>finds inadequate empathy in the host, or the mix of other
expected<BR>participants.<BR><BR>As Pat Black said, the invitee may not
participate precisely because s/he<BR>cares. Another "Open Space" (called by
perhaps a different name) may be a<BR>better use of hir (him/her=hir) time.
Put another way, the invitee may<BR>decide that the space is not the
appropriate one for asking the question<BR>that matters to
hir.<BR>Masud<BR><BR>*<BR>*<BR>==========================================================<BR><A
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