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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='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Andrea ... Just say yes. What happens in grief stricken circumstances is that space closes. People turn in on themselves and what would be a bad situation becomes worse, or at least more painful. The “answer” is pretty simple – just open some space and the healing will begin. Also, if I can be of any help, I am just across the river. I know that Maryland does seem to some like a foreign country, but the natives are generally friendly. Give me a call if I can help. Or just give me a call, and we might have lunch.<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'>Harrison<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><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Harrison Owen<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>7808 River Falls Dr.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Potomac, MD 20854<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>USA<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'>189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Camden, Maine 04843<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'>Phone 301-365-2093<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>(summer) 207-763-3261<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'><a href="www.openspaceworld.com%20"><span style='color:blue'>www.openspaceworld.com</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="www.ho-image.com%20"><span style='color:blue'>www.ho-image.com</span></a> (Personal Website)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;color:#1F497D'>To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST Go to:<a href="http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org"><span style='color:blue'>http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><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 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org [mailto:oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Andrea Chiou<br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, March 23, 2014 1:00 PM<br><b>To:</b> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org<br><b>Subject:</b> [OSList] A possible first for me - at least on the inspiring OS side - if not facilitating as well<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hi all - first time posting here, though I’ve been reading from this list for probably 1/2 year or more.<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I’m happy that I can have confidence with the support of this group - as I have seen, as recently as today, all the support that is so freely and lovingly given - especially to slightly jittery new facilitators...<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>The context for this email is:<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>My son’s high school here in Fairfax County VA, has been experiencing a high number of suicides - six in the past 2 years, two in one week alone in February. There have also been others at nearby schools. Recently, the school sponsored a large gathering of administrators and specialists inviting the parents to come listen. IT was a one-way information feed. I described it in a blog post here. h<a href="http://adaptivecollaboration.com/2014/03/06/prevention-and-build-quality-in-how-can-we-help-stem-teen-suicide/">http://adaptivecollaboration.com/2014/03/06/prevention-and-build-quality-in-how-can-we-help-stem-teen-suicide/</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>As I mention in the post, my only suggestion that I wrote on the ‘card’ they provided to parents for ideas was: conduct an open space…<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I also suggested this later on a community Facebook group that was established by parents to further the discussion and collaboration around the issues of mental health and stemming suicide at our high school..<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>And today: I received THIS:<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Mrs. Chiou,<br><br>I am on the committee planning the upcoming FCPS Summit on Mental Health. I noticed on the community of solutions Facebook page that you posted information about the use of an Open Spaces format for encouraging discussions and free exchange of information at a conference. I followed your suggestion and googled it, listened to the presentation and read the information.<br><br>I'd love to talk to you for a few minutes about the logistics of this approach. Do you have a number where I could reach you?<br><br>Mary Ann Panarelli<br>Director, Intervention and Prevention Services<br>Fairfax County Public Schools<br>571-423-4020<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I am floored!! Amazed. Humbled!<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I have not responded yet … :-)<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>My experience with Open Space is through Agile Coach camp and Culture Conference in Philly 2 years ago. And reading this list and following a few especially agile folks who are passionate about OS (Dan is one)<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>My passion comes from knowing there are voices which aren’t heard and need to speak. I care about listening, giving people space to talk. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>My extreme passion in this particular case, comes about from the urgency of this particular social problem. My own son is still a student there, and has grappled himself with depression/lows and occasional suicidal thoughts. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>So, the question becomes, what do I do next?. Of course, I will respond to her with my phone number and a suggested time to speak with her. And I will read the whole OST guide (I’ve seen that advice numerous times, but now I need to get going on it).<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>What else do you suggest? <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Perhaps I can be more specific with my questions to you after I finish reading the guide. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Mean time, I am checking in with you:<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I am glad; this is wonderful/scary.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I am afraid; first time.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I am sad; the trend of suicides in our community affecting our youth isn’t turning around.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I am glad; I have resources, people and ideas; even though I am not a mental health specialist, I can do small things to make a big difference.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I’m IN!<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you for listening!<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Andrea<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></body></html>