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<body lang=EN-AU link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap: break-word;
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<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Hi all<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>When I initiated the ‘facilitation disaster’ thread I was
sitting inside the wobble space that arose from believing/hoping that I’d acted
with integrity and fearing that I’d missed a simpler way through. The responses
and other topics arising have been so useful, and I’ve mentally tested any option
that was offered. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>At the end of the day I didn’t do what I know to do, that is identify
and consult with the primary client to ensure that we’re facing the same
direction. Most importantly I doubted my own knowing, lulled into thinking that
‘she’ll be right’ (Australian vernacular).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Thank you all and thank you for your story Peggy. I read through
all the responses again in a day or so before meeting my clients on Thursday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Best wishes<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Robyn<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> OSLIST
[mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Peggy Holman<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, 24 November 2009 8:22 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [OSLIST] Facilitation disasters or are they?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Barbara and Tonnie,<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>In response to your question of disasters or situations
where we feel more could have happened, I'm re-sending a story I posted three
years ago that completely changed my Open Space practice. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Ironically, this is the story that launched the shift from
defending space to being co-creative in how I hold it that I discussed in my
last post. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Peggy<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><br>
On Nov 16, 2009, at 5:56 AM, Barbara Bunker wrote:<br>
<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>I think that this very interesting conversation is moving from
disasters to<br>
situations where we feel that more could have happened....sometimes because we<br>
didn't do all that we might have done in the contracting or in the event itself<br>
or...?????? B3<br>
<br>
Barbara Bunker<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Begin forwarded message:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>From:
</span></b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>Peggy
Holman <<a href="mailto:peggy@OPENCIRCLECOMPANY.COM">peggy@OPENCIRCLECOMPANY.COM</a>></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>Date:
</span></b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>August
23, 2006 9:01:49 PM PDT</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>To:
</span></b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'><a
href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>Subject:
[OSLIST] Breaking Open (long)</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>Reply-To:
</span></b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>OSLIST
<<a href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a>></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<br>
<span class=apple-style-span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>During
the last week of June, I hosted what turned out to be the most personally
challenging work I’ve done in a very long time. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>In fact, I’d say it broke me open, in
a difficult but valuable way. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>The
primary gift was a move from a defensive stand around Open Space to a
co-creative stand. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I’ll say
more about what this means and how I got there by sharing the story of what it
was like to hold space for Philanthropy, Love, and Evolution (also known as the
Philanthropy Salon). <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>My
intent is not so much to share the story of the conference, but rather, the
story of facilitating the conference.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>To
begin at the beginning…the signs that this would be different were there right
from the start. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>You know
that thing about every group saying, “we’re different?”, well, based on my
experience, transformational philanthropy – philanthropy intended to make a
substantive difference in how systems (e.g., health care, education, media,
etc.) themselves work – really is different! <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>But, that shall unfold….<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The
idea for the gathering was born in May, 2005, when Michael Dowd, Tom Atlee, and
I hosted the first Evolutionary Salon. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>At
the end of the gathering, one of our agreements was to host some “strategic
conversations”, bringing an evolutionary world view (I’ll share some background
on this in another posting) to different high leverage fields. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>We decided to start with
philanthropists. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>In September,
2005, we each reached out to people we knew in the field to ask their counsel
on how best to reach this audience. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>On
a conference call, we were met with enthusiastic support. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>People jumped in, saying…”we should do
x, let’s try y”…in other words rather than telling us what WE needed to do, our
counselors enlisted themselves in the work! <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Seemed like an auspicious beginning,
as they agreed to become our planning group.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Over
the next few weeks, we drafted an invitation and identified the well-respected,
well-networked leaders in the field of transformational philanthropy. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Our planning team thought it looked
great…until they realized that the invitations would be coming from them. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Suddenly, it wasn’t quite right. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>We went back to the drawing board, getting
clearer about the purpose of the gathering. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>We wrote another invitation and were
met with another stepping back. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>“Hmmm….I
wondered, is there a pattern here?” <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>On
our next call, I asked about this approach-avoid pattern. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I was clear to come from a place of
curiosity and non-attachment. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>After
some self-reflection, people acknowledged this as a cultural characteristic
(understandable when, as one said, everyone has an opinion on the best way you
should spend your money). <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Still,
it was something of a turning point. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>The
next version of the invitation “took” and inviting began in earnest. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>It was slow at the beginning, but as
it became the place to be, we ultimately reached the capacity of our facility
with just the sort of mix of folks we had envisioned coming together.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>As
the date grew closer, I had my second cultural surprise: more participants
contacted me with opinions and requests about how the gathering should be
designed than I’ve ever experienced before. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>In retrospect, I can describe some of
the other cultural characteristics that I believe were at play. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>First, most of these folks spend their
professional lives in facilitated conversations. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>They are VERY sophisticated about
process. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>And since
transformational philanthropy has something of a spiritual aspect to it, most
of them have done deep personal work. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Many
were used to processes that took them into spaces of intimate, collective
connection. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Some of the
participants I talked with before the gathering were familiar with Open Space,
and didn’t think much of it (more on this in another posting). <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Secondly, though sophisticated, I
found some odd blind spots. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>My
hunch is that this is a group of people, who are among the “powerful” that many
have trouble speaking truth to (as in speaking truth to power). <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I suspect they may be sheltered from
the uncomfortable or the difficult even if that isn’t their preference. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Finally, while the facilitator is
ALWAYS in service to the group, most groups unconsciously cede their power to
the facilitator. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>This is a
group that fully understands that the facilitator serves at their
pleasure. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Again, this
didn’t truly come clear to me until the meeting itself. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>From
the half-dozen or so conversations I had with participants prior to the
gathering, there were two issues that were most clearly expressed: the need to
go “deep” and the need for agreements so that there was a sense of safety for
marginalized voices. (Thanks to one of the planning group, we had a wonderful
mix of people of color and youth present.) <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>As is often the case when working with
people who want to fill the space with planned processes, I was highly
protective of the space. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Tom
described me as a mama bear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>As
I started to appreciate the demands of this group, I was glad to have some highly
skilled partners for the hosting: Thomas Hurley, Juanita Brown and Tom
Atlee. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>As we began
discussing specifics, they made it clear that they would do their best to
support me. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Though it was
not the design that they would have used given a clean slate, they were there
to make it work. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I made the
choice that we would not begin in Open Space for several reasons:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<ul style='margin-top:0cm' type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:
13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Our experiences of the 2<sup>nd</sup><span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>and 3<sup>rd</sup><span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>salons made it clear that we
needed to set some context with the evolutionary story. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:
13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>There were enough participants
that I knew were hostile to Open Space that I wanted to start with
something more familiar to them (BTW, as I checked into it, several had
experienced multiple day OS gatherings with OS practitioners that I
respected, so it wasn’t a case of inexperienced support)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:
13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>My hosting partners had gifts to
contribute to the mix<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:
13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>I had sufficient clues to know I
was dealing with a culture that I didn’t understand. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Since I was working with people
who were familiar with the culture, I knew I needed to trust
their counsel. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>(The
planning stretched us all as we made room for each other’s very different
beliefs about facilitation.)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>We
had the luxury of time - an evening, and 4.5 days. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>We agreed that before going into Open
Space, we had two pre-requisites: go deep – creating a strong sense of intimacy
and community, and ground people in the evolutionary story (a lesson from the
second and third evolutionary salons) so that when we opened the space, we
would go broad from depth. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
was actually quite excited by this, suspecting that with the diverse mix of
people present, that deep connection would increase the likelihood for
breakthrough. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>On the issue
of agreements, I argued that this would work itself out in the Open Space, so
we didn’t take it on directly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The
first evening, people introduced themselves by taking a “courageous love
name”. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>(This was inspired
by two sources: the etymology of philanthropy – loving humanity (or more
loosely, loving service); and something we’d done at Spirited Work one
season. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>We’d chosen warrior
names. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>In the spirit of a
broader understanding of philanthropy, rather than warrior names, people took a
courageous love name. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Mine,
which I have used since taking it as my warrior name at Spirited Work, is
Standing Still in the Fire. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Little
did I know that I would have quite the opportunity to live into my name! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Following
this step into intimacy, what was supposed to be a 60 minute presentation on
evolution by a cosmologist, ran way over. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>While it contained beautiful
animations of galaxies from the Hubble, there was enough technical information
and it was late enough at night, that it turned out not to be the inspiring
introduction to the story of evolution that we had expected. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>(Something that Juanita and Thomas had
been VERY concerned about.) <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>When
it was over, I said to Thomas, that while I knew he would find no satisfaction
in it, he had been right about not doing the presentation in the evening.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Following
this mixed beginning, Juanita, Thomas, Tom, and I met and concluded that we
should re-think our plans for the next day. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>The location of the gathering,<span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Gold<span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Lake,
is very special land. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Traditionally
a gathering place for Native American tribes to put aside their weapons and
meet in peace, this land and its native populations were ravaged by settlers
when gold was found nearby. Its current stewards are working to honor and
restore its special energy to support efforts that heal and transform the
world. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>We began the first
full day by offering some reflective questions to people and sent them out to
connect with the land and each other, using the questions as they wished. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>When
they returned, Juanita was to host a World Café intended to begin connecting
philanthropy and evolution. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>As
she introduced the question for the café, one of the young people, Evon, a man
who had been chief of his Alaskan tribe, spoke. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>He was respectful and articulate and
named his discomfort with evolution, a term which we’d incorporated into the
question being used for the café. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>More
than this discomfort, he was raising the question of safe space (remember that
pre-conference warning that we needed to create agreements? <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I hadn’t counted on this being an
issue before the space was opened!). Juanita handled the situation with
grace, ultimately handing the leadership to Evon and a partner with whom he
worked, angel to create safe space. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>We
moved back into a council circle and they led a circle in which people could
say whatever they felt they needed to say for the space to be open for their
voices. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>While this was
frustrating to those who wanted to get to the content (and they voiced this),
it seemed to accomplish its purpose. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>When
Juanita, Thomas, Tom and I met after this circle, we agreed it was time to open
the space. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>One other factor
now entered the situation for me. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>We
were at 8,500 feet of elevation. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
discovered that I couldn’t get more than 3 hours of sleep each night. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>And I’m an 8-hour-a-night kind of
person. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I was well aware of
being far less centered than I usually am when opening space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Tuesday
morning, I opened the space. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Something
occurred that has never happened to me in the 12 years of space holding. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>The group rebelled. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>They were quite adamant that they
wanted to stay together until they had a common grounding in both the state of
transformational philanthropy and an understanding of the evolutionary story. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I said that all they needed to do was
post the sessions and it would be clear by how people negotiated at the agenda
wall and how they used their two feet if they all wanted to stay
together. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>They rejected
this; I stepped back and watched as a debate ensued over whether to do a fish
bowl, a world café, or some other form to handle their desire to stay
together. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>As I witnessed
this, I was mostly marveling over the passion of this group as it clearly took
charge of its needs.<span class=apple-converted-space> </span> After
about 45 minutes, the group fragmented into lots of small conversations. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>At that point, I made the one choice
that in retrospect, I see as my attachment to things. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>It was an impulse based in my Spirited
Work culture – I got up, asked for silence, said I’d ring a bell and when they
came out of silence, they would know what to do. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>When the sound of the bell just ended,
one of the participants, who was sitting directly across from me, looked
straight at me and said they were doing just fine, thank you and that my
ringing of the bell was completely out of order. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I felt seared by his words. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I was standing still in the fire and I
got cooked. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Shortly after
that, another participant said that he thought they should do what I had
suggested – post their sessions and see what people were interested in. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>And that’s what they did. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Vindication of sorts. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>They did stay as a group for the
afternoon, with two powerful sessions, one on how the field of transformational
philanthropy had evolved, followed by a session that finally provided some
insight into what the evolutionary world view had to offer to philanthropy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>That
evening, one of the participants hosted an extraordinary storytelling session
that took people into very intimate connection with each other. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>The design was simple: <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Tell a story of personal
transformation. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>People had
3-4 minutes for their stories. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>A
bell was sounded at 3 minutes and again at 4 minutes. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>There was a talking object, so whoever
wished to speak could do so when they were ready to tell their story.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>It
took 2 days before most folks talked to me. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I realized that in process work terms,
I’d played an important role, making it completely clear who was in charge -
them. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I was basically fine
with what had taken place, still, it was definitely took some deep breathing to
be at peace with it all. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
spent much of the time over the rest of the gathering making amends with the
people who had called me before the gathering, letting them know that I
realized that I needed to work with them in a co-creative way rather than
simply defending the space. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>As
an example of what I mean by this, on the last day of the OS, one of the
participants approached me with a common request in multiple day Open Spaces –
they wanted people to say more than a title for their sessions so that they had
a better understanding of what the sessions were about. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>My traditional stance for this is to
encourage them to talk to the convener to find out more. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>This time, when we began the morning
postings, I named the request and the tension – the more time describing
sessions, the less time to be in them. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
said they were adults and could make their choices knowing this was the
tradeoff. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I felt this
honored the request and the space. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>It
seemed to work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>This
is how I am thinking about what it means to be co-creative: Identify what, if
any, tensions exist between the request and keeping the space open and then
work with the requester to create a response that respects both.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>By
the end of the conference, a number of the participants talked about it as a
landmark event. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>When
Michael, Tom and I had discussed our desire for this gathering before it began,
that had been our highest aspiration. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>No
matter how personally challenging it was, the outcome was all that I could have
wanted…and more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Unlike
most Open Spaces, I actually wrote a report:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><a
href="http://www.co-intelligence.org/PhilanthropyES2006.html">http://www.co-intelligence.org/PhilanthropyES2006.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Stay
tuned for:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style='margin-left:54.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-36.0pt'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;
font-family:Symbol'>ˇ</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt'> <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span></span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The perceptions of Open Space by some of the
folks I met<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div style='margin-left:54.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-36.0pt'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;
font-family:Symbol'>ˇ</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt'> <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span></span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The evolutionary world view (as offered in
the context of its relationship to conversation)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>BTW,
one other cultural characteristic of philanthropists – they live their lives as
butterflies, holding many, many private sessions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> </span><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>________________________________<br>
Peggy Holman<br>
The Open Circle Company<br>
15347 SE 49th Place<br>
Bellevue, WA 98006<br>
(425) 746-6274</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'><a
href="http://www.opencirclecompany.com">www.opencirclecompany.com</a></span><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'><br>
For pre-orders with a 20% discount on the new edition of The Change Handbook,
go to:<span class=apple-converted-space> </span><br>
<a href="http://www.bkconnection.com/ChangeHandbook">www.bkconnection.com/ChangeHandbook</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>"An
angel told me that the only way to step into the fire and not get burnt, is to
become<span class=apple-converted-space> </span><br>
the fire".<br>
-- Drew Dellinger<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>*
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