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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>
<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=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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