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<DIV><FONT color=#000080 size=2>You are such an inspiration and fabulous
storyteller. You tantilized their tastebuds and they got a glimmer of the magic
that happens. In my experience, faith is at the root, as well as the fruit
of OS. The biggest challenge in OS is getting people to take that
first step of faith to taste it. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000080 size=2>Cheryl</FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000080 size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000080 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=wendy@xe.net href="mailto:wendy@xe.net">Wendy Farmer-O'Neil</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> Wednesday, September 21, 2005 12:05
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Open Space Learning Report -
Mini OS for non-profit (longish)</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Open Space Learning Report – Mini OS for Non-Profit
Board, Staff and Volunteers<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">I just finished a mini OS for a non-profit. I am
typing this up on the ferry on my way home. Once again I thought of you
all as I was moving chairs and sticking tape. One of the differences
with this organization is that they are not as interested in the process as
the other groups I work with. Most of my other clients are wanting to
integrate OS and appreciative practice into their daily work, while this group
has just embraced the Carver model as a radical and positive step
forward. So I really appreciate their trust in me and their willingness
to embrace something so far from their comfort zone. So, of course, I
was interested to see if there would be a difference. And I can say now,
nope--not really.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">My other design challenge was a lousy cold that showed
up last night—sore throat, stuffy nose, fever…ah well…took as much medicine as
I felt was safe not to make me stupid and went out there (no whining!).
Discovered that having to sneak off to the bathroom to blow your nose and wash
your hands is a great way to be invisible </SPAN></FONT><FONT
face=Wingdings><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">J</SPAN></FONT>
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Design: Sponsor wanted a demonstration OS to
introduce OS to Board in preparation for a one day OS visioning session in
October. In other words- quelling the
queasies.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">2.75 hours total, 45 min for opening and agenda
setting, two 45 minute conversations, half hour for closing and
debrief/questions. (Thanks to Larry P. for the inspiration.)
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">What happened: 24 people posted 19 topics (they
combined some) created about 10 pages of report (handwritten notes posted on
breaking news wall). It worked. Just like always.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">This was a passionate group. They jumped up from
their seats and started posting topics right away. I had a feeling this
group would be enthusiastic. They have a lot of passion for what they do
and are incredibly dedicated. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The feedback was very positive. They got a
better sense of the whole organization. The director was able to gain
insight into where there were gaps in understanding and communication—useful
information for her. They felt supported by each other, appreciated, all
voices got heard, they had fun. Oh yah, and another very cool thing…the
director, in the closing circle, stated that one of her goals for this process
was to see spirit come back to the organization, and that she felt it had
begun to return with tonight’s process. Hurrah for Open
Space!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">And I’ve never seen a rush for the talking stick
before. As I said, one passionate bunch. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Learning:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">As a demonstration it worked very well. They got
an actual taste of OS, rather than a presentation. We used a real topic
that they all had real passion for. I used the analogy of the ice cream
store, where they give you one of those little spoons to have a taste and how
that’s different from a big bowl. We had a little spoonful of open space
and next month we will have the bowl full. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">They expressed the desire to take something forward
from the discussions, which again just reinforced for me the importance of
including some kind of next step, into the world process as a grounding for
even short (one-day) OS’s. And it got me wondering about the
possibilities of making that happen even in mini’s like this one.
Closing round question could do it. Any other experiences or
thoughts? <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Photos are here: <A
href="http://flickr.com/photos/89394054@N00/sets/988835/">http://flickr.com/photos/89394054@N00/sets/988835/</A>
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">(Also, Photos from previous, in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Prince George</st1:City></st1:place> are here:
<A
href="http://flickr.com/photos/89394054@N00/sets/939548/">http://flickr.com/photos/89394054@N00/sets/939548/</A>
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Cheers all…off for my hot
toddy…<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Love,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Wendy<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>*
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