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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Catherine – I find myself in your place
(space?). Over the years I have come to know essentially all of the so called
large group methods, and in most cases I know personally their originators and
consider them colleagues for sure and, truthfully, friends. I deeply respect
who they are and what they have done because their efforts have contributed
greatly to my own learning and practice. Having said all of that I keep coming
back to Open Space, and at this point, never leave it. I am reminded of a
comment from a Swedish friend who said that he finally figured out what OST was
– he called it the WD-40 of group work. For those of you who may not have
met WD-40, it is a marvelous universal solvent and lubricant to be found in
virtually all mechanics’ tool chests. In any event he said that “Open
Space is the WD-40 of group work. One shot will loosen up just about anything.”<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'>Some years ago, Marv Weisbord (Future
Search) and I found our selves engaged in an extended conversation comparing FS
and OST in terms of process and results. I think it fair to say that we found
that although there obvious differences in the process, the end results were
the same or certainly comparable. At the end of the conversation I told Marv
that I really loved what he was doing, but it seemed to me that he was working
much too hard. But he loves what he does and so be it. <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'>So for me it is always Open Space. You
might suspect laziness as the basic reason, but I am hopeful that it is more
than that. Simply put 20 years in Open Space have convinced me that it is the simplest,
most efficient and effective approach which utilizes time and energy (the group’s
and mine) in the most economical fashion. And if that had not have been my
finding, OST would have been long gone in terms of my own practice. After all
how much attachment can you have for something that appeared in the bottom of
two martinis? Unless, of course, it actually worked.<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 suppose this may appear to be doctrinal and
proprietary, and I really can’t rule any of that out given my association
with Open Space, however it doesn’t feel that way. When a client
approaches me I feel obligated to provide the best I have – and my best
is everything I have learned and been regarding opening space. If they want, or
feel they need something else, God love them and I am just delighted to make
the appropriate connections and introductions. But my best is Open Space which
always seems to open and enrich their space most fully.<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>
<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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<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>Catherine Pfaehler<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, August 28, 2007
5:14 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> AW: Circles and open
space</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>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Ah, Wendy, your message
strikes a string in my heart. I find myself having this huge resistance to
other methods and the amount of left brain work it takes from the facilitator,
e.g. in World Café, to find out the right questions, even if it’s together
with the sponsor. What a responsibility! Plus a resistance to standing there
with a stop watch and time the time for conversations for everybody…
There is a knowing inside me that OST can do the job in all circumstances - if
we take enough time to get ready, and to formulate the theme the way the
organization feels it needs to be stated. Something inside me refuses to
“go complicated”, knowing and living with OST for almost 20 years
now. AND this can be really difficult when somebody isn’t ready, but
wants to work with me because they have heard good things about an OS-event I
have facilitated… Perhaps I need to learn to say no to such an
organisation.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
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 lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>These are the main
questions I am pondering these days. Perhaps I will find a way to bring good
examples on my website which can help deal with some of the fears.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
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 lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Thank you - Catherine<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><font size=2 color=navy
face="Comic Sans MS"><span lang=DE style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:navy'>Catherine Pfaehler</span></font></st1:PersonName><font size=2
color=navy face="Comic Sans MS"><span lang=DE style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:navy'> Senn<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=navy face="Comic Sans MS"><span lang=DE
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:navy'>lic.oec.HSG<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=navy face="Comic Sans MS"><span lang=DE
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:navy'>Open Space
Begleitung<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=navy face="Comic Sans MS"><span lang=DE
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:navy'>Kellersriedweg
8<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=navy face="Comic Sans MS"><span lang=DE
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:navy'>CH - 2503 Biel<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=navy face="Comic Sans MS"><span lang=DE
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:navy'>+41-(0)32 - 365
68 41<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><font size=2 color=navy
face="Comic Sans MS"><span lang=DE style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:navy'>c.pfaehler@bluewin.ch</span></font></st1:PersonName><font size=2
color=navy face="Comic Sans MS"><span lang=DE style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=DE
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=DE style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>Von:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span lang=DE style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> Wendy Farmer-O'Neil
[mailto:wendy@xe.net] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Gesendet:</span></b> Donnerstag, 23. August
2007 08:36<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Betreff:</span></b> Circles and open space</span></font><span
lang=DE><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=DE
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'>Thank you all for this wonderful conversation. What is
arising for me as I sit with your questions and comments, is that underlying
all of our passionate choices is the intention of opening more space wherever
we are. I know that is always my intention and I trust and have faith
that it is yours also. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'>Sometimes this opening of space looks like world café or
appreciative inquiry, because that’s the widest, edgiest space that the
sponsor can conceive of. Sometimes it’s a progression of ever more
open processes until the group trusts me and itself enough to leap into OST
(I’m always humbled and blown away by leaders who move through huge fear
and/or organizational resistance and say “Go for it!”). And
sometimes it means holding the open space event in my heart and keeping that
space open for months or years until the sponsoring group wants OST. All
of the time, however, I am fostering a deeper understanding and familiarity
with OS principles and practices and demonstrating the benefits. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'>And I have had plenty of resistance to the circle. I
work a lot with social service agencies and when they walk into a room set up
in a circle, they don’t look surprised, they roll their eyes and say,
“Oh no! Not another process! What are you going to do to
us?” And at the end of the day they thank me for NOT doing anything
to them. ARGGGHHHH! Hence the reason for my conviction that
OS is one of the only truly ethical processes around—it doesn’t
steal power from people. It’s not about me, the Grand
Facilitator!!! Thank God/dess/Spirit/your word here!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'>So, thank you Kaliya, for sharing how you have grown and
fostered open space practice in your community—I resonate with your
pragmatism. Your approach is not something I had considered before and it
has helped me to stretch my thinking. You obviously had a determination
to introduce your community to the benefits of OS and you made the principles
and practices work for you rather than becoming a servant to the technicalities
of the process itself. It’s really invigorating to encounter
someone who has chosen to make positive use out of circumstances that most of
us view as a challenge. As <st1:place w:st="on">Harrison</st1:place>
keeps reminding us—it always works—and your experience widens the
horizon of what that means. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'>And isn’t one definition of mastery: knowing when to
break the rules? ;-)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'>The question I’ll be sitting with now is: If
the artist’s/host’s presence is embodying the essence of OS, what
is the minimum of form required for it to still work? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'>Cheers,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'>Wendy<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'>Wendy Farmer-O'Neil</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'>Prospera Communications & Consulting Services</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'>250.713.2351/1.800.713.2351</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Georgia><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia'>weblog: www.wordgravity.blogspot.com</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<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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