<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document>
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10">
<meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 10">
<link rel=File-List href="cid:filelist.xml@01C58D13.46795920">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:DoNotRelyOnCSS/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:SpellingState>Clean</w:SpellingState>
<w:GrammarState>Clean</w:GrammarState>
<w:DocumentKind>DocumentEmail</w:DocumentKind>
<w:EnvelopeVis/>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1627421319 -2147483648 8 0 66047 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
panose-1:2 11 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
color:black;
mso-text-animation:none;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;
text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none;
text-decoration:none;
text-line-through:none;}
span.EmailStyle18
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
color:black;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;
text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none;
text-decoration:none;
text-line-through:none;}
span.SpellE
{mso-style-name:"";
mso-spl-e:yes;}
span.GramE
{mso-style-name:"";
mso-gram-e:yes;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue style='tab-interval:.5in'>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'>Hi, Harrison,
Joelle and others –<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'>(<span
class=GramE>sorry</span> for the delay in reply – I have been traveling
and working away from home and in and out of email access)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'>Thanks for your
thoughts, folks.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'>To clarify –
I rarely assume that some folks need extra help to feel their power, as OS
brings them that. <span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'>And I usually
counsel the host/sponsor/client not to do anything before the space opens (no
speeches, no need to ‘weave people together’, no storytelling the
night before [though I know this works for some of you and I am open to it –
I feel the OS brings the stories into the room, and yes I’ve also seen
storytelling work quite well], not even introductions for the full group
[because I have observed that going around a circle before the things starts,
people don’t really listen, and I’d rather get them into space –
they remember each other fully from their small-group conversations in Open
Space].<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'>And I also
advise clients to invite for diversity…and keep inviting…and keep
looking at who is not there…and keep inviting…using multiple
methods…and bring into the site or the space those things which would
make it easier for those perceived of as being in minority or less power those
things that would help them feel equal. <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><span class=GramE>Such as childcare.</span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><span class=GramE>Such as free food
coupons or pocket money.</span><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><span
class=GramE>Such as <span class=SpellE>homestays</span>.</span> <span
class=GramE>Transport.</span><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><span
class=GramE>Signage in their languages.</span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><span class=GramE>Food of their culture.</span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><span class=GramE>Whatever it takes.</span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'>However, in
those very rare occasions where…say…a conference is about young
people, and there will be 500 adults and only 5 young people, and where the
vocabulary is very specific and unknown to those few precious delegates…
sometimes you do know this in advance. <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>For example, I opened space for a
statewide conference on policy for safety, health and education for youth 0-18.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Hundreds and hundreds of adult
delegates, most of <span class=GramE>whom</span> worked in agencies and
governmental capacities – their language was really policy-speak and
legislature-speak.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>25 young people were
invited.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>And the host decided to
bring them in a day early to give them an amazing and creative workshop on
developing policies for an imaginary city, in a way that incorporated that
vocabulary and some concepts which would help them in the event.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>And I helped them develop a group poem
defining the issues, the challenges and their hopes and dreams for themselves
(teens) and their children (many of them were parents). <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>And this is what began the full
conference – them presenting their poem, in the center of the circle,
facing outwards to speak this to the hundreds of seated adult participants. <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>I found it to be very
young-person-delegate centered without condescending to them or assuming they
were of lesser power – on the contrary – they were the leaders (and
they were all along before any workshop or conference).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'>It is not about
weakness or people having a lack of something it is our job to enhance or
provide pre-<span class=GramE>event<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
</span>–</span> I see it as totally different than that – I see it
as perfectly strong, rich, experienced and able people being invited –
and what tools might they like to feel up-to-speed with the majority.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Or what data they need pre-event.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>It’s an access issue to me, not a
capability issue.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'>Thanks for this
rich conversation,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'>Lisa<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black;mso-no-proof:
yes'>___________________________</span></font><font color=black><span
style='color:black;mso-no-proof:yes'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=2
color=blue face="Trebuchet MS"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
color:blue;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;mso-no-proof:yes'>L i s
a<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>H e f t<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:blue;mso-no-proof:
yes'>Consultant, Facilitator, Educator<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:blue;mso-no-proof:
yes'>O p e n i n g<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>S p a c e<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black;mso-no-proof:
yes'>2325 Oregon<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black;mso-no-proof:
yes'>Berkeley, California<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black;mso-no-proof:
yes'>94705-1106<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>USA<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black;mso-no-proof:
yes'>+01 510 548-8449<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black;mso-no-proof:
yes'><a href="mailto:lisaheft@openingspace.net"><font color=black><span
style='color:black'>lisaheft@openingspace.net</span></font></a></span></font><font
color=black><span style='color:black;mso-no-proof:yes'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black;mso-no-proof:
yes'><a href="http://www.openingspace.net"><font color=black><span
style='color:black'>www.openingspace.net</span></font></a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Trebuchet MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b> OSLIST
[mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On
Behalf Of </span></b>Harrison Owen<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, July 15, 2005 4:44
AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: Deep power
differentials in OST</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Lisa -- the practice of bringing in
"dis-empowered folks" early is one that several folks have done that
I know of. It certainly makes sense logically, and in the instances I have
heard about, it certainly seems to work. But what I don't know is what would
have happened had the "weaker" group started with all the rest. And
what might have been gained or lost in the bargain?? One thing I am absolutely
clear about is that sufficient time is essential. A mini-openspace in a complex
power situation (or any other complex and/or conflicted situation) is something
that, in my opinion, should be strictly avoided. A full day at least and
preferably two!</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>But on the subject of "gains
and losses" -- I find myself scratching my head. For example, the fact
that the "weak" were treated as something "special," might
that not confirm in their minds the fact that they were "weak?" And
since all the rest of the folks would obviously know (I assume) that the
"weak" came in early -- might that not tend to confirm their feelings
of dominance and superiority? Also I wonder about the judgment being made here
as to who is weak and who is powerful? -- It has been my experience, I am sure
shared by many others, that individuals who have been oppressed, or never had a
whole bunch of opportunities -- possessed amazing personal power which they
used in gracious and productive ways. And the reverse is also true -- folks who
have all the earmarks of the "dominator group" turn out to be total
wimps living in a fear encased shell. Frankly, I can't figure out any way to
discriminate between these folks in advance.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>I suppose the only way to settle all
this would be to run two comparable OS's head to head and see what happens. But
even then it would seem to me that the unseen variables and complexities would
be such that making a genuine comparison would be almost impossible. I suppose
if you did hundreds of such "head to head" comparisons the larger
numbers would wash out some of the local variables. Maybe some day when our
RESEARCH effort is rolling in high gear we could do such a thing.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>In the meantime I only have my
experience which has been that special preparation for Open Space doesn't seem
to make much difference. And more often the time and effort consumed doing all
that would have been better spent having more time in Open Space, or just going
to the beach. In one situation I remember particularly, a large bank held an
Open Space for it's Fast Track folks -- the brightest and best so to speak. The
theme was "Enhancing the profitability of the Bank." However, the
judgment was made by the organizers (who happened to be the training
department) that the participants might be somewhat lacking when it came to
"creativity" -- disempowered in that regard. So a day was added to
the program for a grand experience of Creativity Enhancement. And it was truly
grand, even fun. But when the whole show was over the common reaction was --
"Why did we waste all that time?" And I even heard some comments to
the effect that the experience was in some way demeaning -- sort of like they
weren't trusted to do what needed to be done.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>A more common experience has been
with working with mixed groups of adults and children/teenagers. The going in
presumption of the sponsors was that the "children" would somehow be
marginalized. But when the great day arrived for the OS, the actual experience
was quite different. To be sure the "children" behaved in
somewhat different ways than their elders -- but when it came to functioning in
Open Space -- it was these "children" who often led the way. Go
figure!</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Anyhow, I guess I am back where I
started. Just open space -- and everything else will take care of itself. At
the end of the day I find that when people are treated as responsible human
beings (regardless of age, sex, economics, position, etc) and given sufficient
time/space (at least one day and preferably two) -- everything works just like
usual.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Harrison</span></font> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</body>
</html>
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist