<div dir="ltr">Daniel<div><br></div><div>I think there is a better word than "authority" when considering Open Space. That word is "mandate". Mandate can include formal authority but it can also include moral authority. I believe that an open space event mandates self-organisation. The process of volunteering, both to attend the open space event, and also the offering and attending of sessions at the open space event, reflect individuals practicing moral authority. It also can be called "taking permission" to self-organise.</div>
<div><br></div><div>When the mandate includes formal authority to hold an open space event, as well as moral authority to attend, participate and self-organise, the mandate is complete. Moral authority at an open space event is self-determined, not given from "higher". An open space event could never succeed without:</div>
<div><br></div><div>- formal authority for it to happen</div><div>- a clear mandate that the formal authority ends at voluntary attendance, and then moral authority takes over, which is self-assumed by the circle and the community. When moral authority meets formal authority in just the right, needed, conscious balance, then a mandate for the open space event exist. This is a mandate for self-organisation. In my own belief, this mandate only appears to come from we, human beings. In truth, it comes from the always existing and restless realm of potential.</div>
<div><br></div><div>warm wishes</div><div><br></div><div>Paul Levy</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On 29 March 2014 20:57, Daniel Mezick <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:dan@newtechusa.net" target="_blank">dan@newtechusa.net</a>></span> wrote:<br>
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I am asking for help. Will you help me clarify my thinking?<br>
<br>
I'm wondering if 100% equivalence in authorization for all
participants is actually a key/defining characteristic of any
genuine and authentic Open Space event...<br>
<br>
<br>
First things first. Definitions:<br>
<br>
Authority: The right to do specific work<br>
<br>
Authorization: The conferring of authority<br>
<br>
Formal Authority: Authorization conferred from the formal
organization to a person. Example: "the CEO".<br>
<br>
Informal Authority: Authorization conferred from peers, colleagues
and co-workers. Example: "emergent leadership".<br>
<br>
<br>
Now let's get into it. I currently think, and believe, that:<br>
<br>
1. For an Open Space event inside an organization, the Sponsor must
occupy a role with substantial formal authorization, definitely more
than enough to actually authorize that OST event. The higher the
level of formal authorization of the Sponsor, the better it is for
the event overall.<br>
<br>
2. The Sponsor authorizes the participants- the "invitees"-- to meet
together, and do the specific work of exploring and investigating
the Theme. This "authorized work" is done in "authorized space"...in
that specific place, for a specific period of time. The Sponsor
explicitly authorizes all of the above and conveys this message
after they stand up, and before they sit down, at the opening.<br>
<br>
2. The Facilitator is formally authorized by the Sponsor to do the
specific work of OST event. Absent this authorization, the
Facilitator has no standing.<br>
<br>
3. This is the big one: Everyone else, Sponsor included, has 100%
equivalent authorization (100% equivalent "right to do work") as of
the moment of opening of the Bulletin Board and/or the opening of
the Marketplace.<br>
<br>
4. As the event progresses, authorization dynamics are in play.
These "informal authorization" dynamics occur continuously
throughout the day in real time, moment by moment. Those who
experience net increases in levels of informal authorization as of
the end of the meeting have membership in the "emergent leadership"
group.<br>
<br>
I am very interested in what experienced folks think about the
validity of the assertion in (3) above. <br>
<br>
Ex the Facilitator, does everyone else actually have 100% equivalent
authorization in an OST meeting? Why or why not?<br>
Is this 100% equivalence of authorization actually a key/defining
characteristic of any genuine and authentic Open Space event?<br>
<br>
Thanks for any insight you may be able to provide, and <br>
<br>
Kind Regards,<br>
Daniel<br>
<br>
<div>-- <br>
<p>Daniel Mezick, President</p>
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