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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Lots of good points Lisa – and maybe some solutions? Venue costs – Can be considerable, of course. Can be very expensive if you only think of hotels and other such things. But Churches usually only need their space on Sundays. Else wise they might appreciate some small (or larger) donation. And for a “good cause” maybe free? Likewise, schools work on the week, but weekends are free. Common spaces – like a tent on the common green. We did it for the price of the tent. It wasn’t gorgeous, but definitely fun. Nothing but the forest. Could get wet in the rain, which can be more fun.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Housing? At the Pullman Versailles, the bill goes up. But off season resorts get very reasonable. And have variety of Bed Spots. Camp Grounds, for instance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black'>I know that the reason a lot of people do not feel the need to host one is - hosting something is usually not about the really amazing holding space moments - most of the work is about event planning.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black'>Getting a room, paying money for it in advance, answering everyone's emails behind the scenes, really dry and to some, really tedious details of party planning that are not joyful for all kinds of people.<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'>Oh Answering emails – I guess that is rather like talking on OSLIST? I always found it that way. Actually the problems arise when you place yourself in the “Do-For” mode. I just offer the information and invite them to Do-For themselves. Or maybe to reach out to other participants? – Chain email (reply all) sort of thing. Next thing you know space is open way before anybody comes to town. Take responsibility for yourself to start, then reach out to help your fellows. That’s how community emerges, I think. Each one help one. It ain’t all me folks.<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'>ho<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><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black'>In some of our communities, room rental is super-expensive, so we have to put out a lot of cash in advance and devise a way to generate income to cover our expenses for hosting from a participant group that ... well for the past several WOSonOS and OSonOS and my workshops and everything where there is a pay-what-you-can registration fee - over 1/2 of the participants are those who cannot pay a per-person cost of putting the event on, even a very low-cost event. So creative financing also happens behind the scenes. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black'>So I am reminded that there are many reasons we folks with a facilitation skill-set and interests are not always the same folks with an event-planning skill-set or interest. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black'>Also when you are host, you do not get to play in the same way, as with any party. So I am reminded that many of us consciously do not put on many events because we want to be a participant so badly.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black'>Thanks, Phelim, for reminding me of the fact that inviting is also inviting to a party of celebration, community, and co-learning...<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black'>Lisa<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Oct 23, 2012, at 10:07 AM, Harrison Owen wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I love it Michael! –</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>“All of which makes me wonder how many "OSonOS" events we've really had. What if we did count them up and start numbering them as we go forward, as ALL having been descended from the HHO-convened originals… What if....? " (Michael Herman)</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I do have to confess a certain sense of déjà view all wrapped in a good chuckle. The core question seems to be – who decides where the next (w)OSonOS will be and by what authority do they do that? The simple answer is (to me) everybody decides based on no authority, save their own. Actually the question doesn’t even apply. Of course, if we were a formal organization with a defined membership, Board, and set of procedures the question could be relevant. But “we” are definitely a horse of a different color. The Membership has never been officially determined, and nobody has any idea of how many folks there might be. But it does seem likely that if everybody who somehow felt a part of the community were to assemble, we would need at least a major stadium! When it comes to a Board and set of procedures – simply doesn’t exist. And I say Thank God!</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>In practice the whole process is simplicity itself. Somebody says, “Please come…” and if there are two (or more) invitations there might be some conversation about combining or sequencing the gatherings – not unlike what we do in every Open Space with potentially duplicate sessions. People will come or not depending on how their feet are moving and where their passions may lie. No problem. And of course some decisions ARE made in advance – after all the “inviter” does have to decide whether or not to throw a party. But there is nothing secretive about it, and anybody can do it.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I guess that may be a sticking point – can anybody do it? The direct answer is YES! It is also true that not everybody would want to. And the decision to invite friends, colleagues and passers-by to come together becomes massively daunting when the whole process is understood to be a complex, draining undertaking. It certainly can be – but it doesn’t have to.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>To make the point, being the old curmudgeon that I am, several years ago I invited anybody who cared to come to join me for what I called “OSONOS-by-the-Sea” in Camden Maine where I spend my summers. Total organizing time might have been 3-4 hours. I simply called up some friends at a local church (Space/Date), grabbed the URL from the Chamber of Commerce (accommodations and food) – put it all together on a single webpage – and posted a note on OSLIST. Conference fee was $25 (half of which I eventually sent to Lisa/Access Queen) and I did say that space was limited to 50 (size of the church). I did the same thing a year later, but raised the size limit to 75, which the church could accommodate. In both cases we had a full registration in a few weeks. As for onsite arrangements, I did nothing more than to make sure that we had plenty of flip chart paper, magic markers, masking tape and post-its – all of which were stacked in the center of the room. Upon arrival, everybody pitched in (surprise!) and in short order we had the essential signs, bees, bumble bees, etc. We even had a well organized “Documentation Center.” From there on out it was business as usual: Sit in a Circle, create a bulletin board, open and market place, and go to work. We did, and it was a blast.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Of course you might be saying, Yes, but you are HARRISON OWEN. I can’t deny it. It’s true, and that might have been a critical factor 5 years ago – but no more as evidenced by the fine gatherings hosted by the likes of Lisa, Michael Pannwitz, Sharon Chou, Brian Bainbridge, Gerardo de Luzenberger to name just a few. Anybody can do it, but not everybody will want to. Of course it always helps to remember that it isn’t the size of the event that counts, but rather its depth and power. As always, Whoever comes will be the right people.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>And so my friends, we could easily turn all this into an intense, agonizing discussion of process, rules, procedure and transparency. But in all honesty that is a discussion I want no part of. Of course, inclusion is important, but the answer to that is very simple: Just open more space(s) in your part of the world and invite friends, colleagues, and especially strangers. To borrow a phrase, and offer a bottom line – Just Do it! And have fun.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>See you in Florida or wherever else space opens – as long as my feet are able.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Harrison</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>