<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>Patricia </div><div><br></div><div>I use Open Space regularly with adults with a disability. Remember who ever comes is the right people, my challenge is to ensure I find their ability and not be distracted. These are people who have passions and are willing to take responsibility for their lives and their environment. </div><div><br></div><div>OS has proved to be a great tool in discovering / revealing abilities as those with limited expression find their voice. We work with person centred plans, when the process of writing these plans moves beyond the dominance of concerned carers suddenly new life emerges and the impossible becomes possible.</div><div><br></div><div>Like all OS activities beware once the forces for change are released anything can happen. Be prepared to be surprised!</div><div><br></div><div>Adults with a disability have been an inspiration to me. Yes you have to context the work effectively and this does take time, but it is well worth while. Have a go.<br><br>Regards<div>Rob</div></div><div><br>On 31 Mar 2014, at 11:04 am, Patricia Haines <<a href="mailto:levelgreen2010@gmail.com">levelgreen2010@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><p>Has anyone done an OS with developmentally disabled adults? I'm starting to work with the Self-Advocacy Association, and think such a gathering could be transformative.<br>
- Patricia Haines, Ithaca, NY</p>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Mar 29, 2014 4:57 PM, "Daniel Mezick" <<a href="mailto:dan@newtechusa.net">dan@newtechusa.net</a>> wrote:<br type="attribution"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
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>
<p>New Technology Solutions Inc.</p>
<p><a href="tel:%28203%29%20915%207248" value="+12039157248" target="_blank">(203) 915 7248</a> (cell)</p>
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</div>
</div>
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