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<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Kaliya – I might take small issue
with you regarding the strangeness of the circle. In my own experience the
circle is the most common and natural configuration (geometry) for human
communication. We all do it most of the time, a fact that shows up repeatedly
in our language and expressions, as in “Circle of friends”, Family
Circle, “In the loop (circle),” “The Inner Circle,” “<st1:Street
w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Coffee Circle</st1:address></st1:Street>,”
“Knights of the Round Table.” How strange it would be to have
a “Semi-circle of friends?” Seems like something is missing,
dropped out, disconnected. Then we have the old Gospel Hymn – “Let
the Circle be unbroken.” But I guess that does make the circle weird and
strange. </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Wingdings><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:navy'>J</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I am sure there are people who feel
uncomfortable in a circle but I suspect they are the ones who want to
pontificate as opposed to communicate. Doubtless there is a place for such
people and their feelings – but probably not Open Space, which they may
find terrifying, out of control, and other terrible things – not to
mention New Age!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Harrison</span></font></st1:place><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName> [mailto:<st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Kaliya Hamlin<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, August 21, 2007
12:51 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: FW: The challenge of
"luminaries"</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Following the conference, we head from one of them, who was quite
turned off by the whole experience. Here's an excerpt:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>> Instead I was at a New Age, "open circle" conference
where<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>> the questions were as flat and meaningless as possible so no one
would feel<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>> excluded. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><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><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I have to say honestly - I totally understand this reaction. Some
times 'typical' open space can get into this 'circle grooviness' that some how
demeans people with high professional expectations. When I first
introduced open space to my tech community we sat in a multi ring semi circle
with the agenda wall at the front that we then filled. When first
introducing open space to technical communities not used to the 'circle
culture' I often use theater style - they are already doing a radically
different process then normal. I don't need to force 'circle" on them
too. I always close the day in the circle though and sure enough in good
time (like by the third conference) they get the process and begin in circle no
problem. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt' type=cite>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>She cancelled at the last moment because she just didn't see a role for
herself. She described herself as a high introvert and without a role,
felt she would not be comfortable there.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</blockquote>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Interesting. The 'luminaries' in my community LOVE the Open Space and
the fact it mixes things up. They get to hear from others who are thinking
about innovative things AND they get to talk about their latest thing - but not
because someone on some committee picked them - because they wanted to. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt' type=cite>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>So, here's my question: these folks (even the ones with egos)
have gifts to offer. What experiences have you had in creating conditions
where luminaries/elders/experts actually see a role for themselves and make a
productive contribution to an Open Space?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</blockquote>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><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><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><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Perhaps the best thing that I have found is to use a wiki to let them
all output what they want to talk about before hand - The luminaires who are
all like 'i want to speak about x' you just put all that up on the wiki
and say they get to put it on the agenda the day it happens. The
"luminaries" in my community are the biggest fans of the process and
are infact active inviters of new people who would otherwise not come. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt' type=cite>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=1 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:6.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>would
avoid doing a “round the circle” at the beginning, which I
personally find less than useful for two reasons. First it delays the actual
start when people go to work – and this is the most important
consideration for me. Secondly, all those names and needs/wants/desires badly
confuses this old mind.</span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I almost always do 'audience/attendee' introductions for my events yes
and even when we are sitting in theater style. The thing is a lot of
folks 'know' each other form correspondence on mailing lists AND reading
each others blogs but have NEVER met or seen a photo. Making the visual
connection between person and name along with identifing the company or
organization they are will his helpful. I can get a room or 150 people to
do rapid fire introductions in 10 min.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><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><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Agreement on the needs thing - a bit much time wise and energy wise for
a group. Best to do that kind of thing on paper. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt' type=cite>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>It seems strange to go to an Open Space conference and then complain
about the format<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</blockquote>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>He was expecting what he had understood an 'unconference' to be - which
in one conception of the process that was put forward in the tech
community had a chosen topics and a chosen 'luminary facilitators'
"leading a discussion" in a theater style room with anywhere from
25-200 people. Needless to say this is not very open space (and it never
claimed to be - geeks are not known for their face-to-face group process
literacy but they were trying their best to step out of conference norms.) It
put the luminary in the 'center' controlling a room. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><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><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I hope this perspective helps. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>=Kaliya<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><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><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Kaliya - Identity
Woman<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><a
href="mailto:kaliya@mac.com">kaliya@mac.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><a
href="http://www.unconference.net">http://www.unconference.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><a
href="http://www.identitywoman.net">http://www.identitywoman.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><a
href="skype:identitywoman">skype:identitywoman</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Y!:earthwaters<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><a
href="AIM:kaliya@mac.com">AIM:kaliya@mac.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>510 472-9069 (bay
area)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>415 425 1136 (on the
road)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><br>
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