<p dir="ltr">Hi Peggy thanks for these stories!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Harrison offlist also noted that a formal nonprofit organization is helpful when money is raised for a purpose.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Nice to read again these three/four core activities! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Harold, as Birgitt wrote more eloquently, I suggest returning to these -- to evaluate what's working, what is outdated or better done by others, what remains to be done, what new core activities feel needed.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><font color="#0061ff">Mutual Support and Connection</font>.<br>
<font color="#0061ff">Mentoring and Being Mentored</font>.<br>
<font color="#0061ff">Learning and Research.</font></p>
<p dir="ltr"><font color="#0061ff">Education and Training in OS</font>.<br>
<font color="#0061ff">Publishing</font>.<br>
<font color="#0061ff">"Clearinghouse" to connect with people and ideas (e.g., the web site, the e-mail list, contacts.)</font><br>
<font color="#0061ff">Research</font>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Of these, Research stands out to me as one core activity that has been ad hoc and not organized in a coordinated way. We have the books and many articles and graduate theses listed on a website, but no systematic research agenda on OST or OS Organizations.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Blessings,<br>
Jeff</p>
<div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Jul 19, 2016 1:07 PM, "Peggy Holman" <<a href="mailto:peggy@peggyholman.com">peggy@peggyholman.com</a>> wrote:<br type="attribution"><blockquote class="quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div style="word-wrap:break-word">Hey Jeff,<div><br></div><div>Harold gave me a nudge asking that I speak to the origin story for the Open Space Institute - US. I found a short summary written in early 1998 about how we got started, called “A Little History”. Others who were there, please chime in! </div><div><br></div><div>I’ve also shared an <a href="http://peggyholman.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Forming-OSI.pdf" target="_blank">article</a> that I wrote in 1997 (!!) as we were getting started for those who are interested in some of the questions we asked back then.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div>Peggy</div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#0061ff">A
LITTLE HISTORY</font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#0061ff">The
Open Space Institute got its start in the US when Harrison Owen came for a
visit to Seattle in the summer of 1996 [</font>Note: I believe that Harrison's visit was part of an around-the-world tour, where he had similar conversations about starting an institute with folks in Toronto, Canada and Melbourne, Australia. So three institutes sprung up within a month of each other]<font color="#0061ff">.
Harrison proposed the idea of an institute to support the growth of the
Open Space community. We thought this
was a great thing to do. Someone at the
table said they thought it would cost about $700 for us to incorporate as a
non-profit. Since there were 10 of us
present, that meant if we each put out $70, we'd have the funds to do it. Thus was born our wholly spontaneous and
grass roots approach to fund raising and our $70 membership fee </font>[Which was long ago replaced with a pay-what-you-can approach.]<font color="#0061ff">. We were incorporated on July 25, 1996 in
Washington state. On July 16, 1997, a
year later, we received our 501(c)3, tax exempt status from the IRS.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#0061ff">With
all that legal stuff out of the way, we were positioned to begin the real
business of the institute. During the
1996 Open Space on Open Space, we asked people what they wanted from the OSI. What they told us was they wanted a place
for:</font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#0061ff"> Mutual Support and Connection<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#0061ff"> Mentoring and Being Mentored<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#0061ff"> Learning and Research.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#0061ff"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#0061ff">This
has translated into activities that are in various stages of forming around:<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#0061ff"> Education and Training in OS<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#0061ff"> Publishing<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#0061ff"> "Clearinghourse" to
connect with people and ideas (e.g., the web site, the e-mail list, contacts)<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#0061ff"> Research</font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#0061ff">These
are the core activities around which we expect to build the institute.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#0061ff">We currently
have 72 members, $2,250 in funds, and a lot of promise.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p>
</div><div><br></div><div>******************</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>At <a href="http://peggyholman.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Forming-OSI.pdf" target="_blank">http://peggyholman.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Forming-OSI.pdf</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>
<div style="margin:0.1pt 0in;text-align:center"><b>FORMING
THE OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE<u></u><u></u></b></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"> <u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">Open
Space Technology came into being in 1985. Since that time, it has spawned
several books, many training classes, and attracted somewhere between 3,000 and
5,000 practitioners (and who knows how many participants) throughout the world.
All this with the support of one man and the help of a handful of close friends
and colleagues.<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">The
Open Space Institutes of Canada and the United States began life not as a new
idea but as a way to sustain and grow what has come before. The people involved
with forming the institutes began with a challenge: to evolve around the
essence of Open Space. <u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">The
purpose of this article is to share what I, as a co-creator of one of the Open
Space Institutes (OSI), have learned about sustaining Open Space in a new
venture. It includes some of the story of what we’ve begun and how we are
approaching it. My secondary purpose is to interest you in joining us as we
continue to invent the Open Space Institute. <u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">So
join me for a moment to imagine what’s possible: think of a community dedicated
to nurturing the growth of human spirit in action. Imagine having access to a
global network of support; an expanse of knowledge, possibilities, experience,
mentoring,… a home which is always open to you…a safe space to exercise your
wildest ideas. An Open Space Institute that holds many contradictions:
unbridled energy and spirit and a supportive, safe space; the uniqueness of
each individual and the alignment of a community working together. If this
picture attracts you, then read on as the adventure unfolds…<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u><u></u> <u></u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u>What
have I learned about sustaining Open Space?<u></u><u></u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><i> </i></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><i>Stay close to the essence: it keeps spirit
and momentum alive<u></u><u></u></i></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">What
is the essence of the Open Space Institute? Our articles of incorporation put
it this way: <u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 0.5in"><i>We believe that inspired (inspirited)
behavior can be an everyday experience and that humanity is limited largely by
its perceptions of the possible. We intend to grow that sense of possibility
and make it a reality by focusing on three fundamental areas: learning,
research and practice: <u></u><u></u></i></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 1in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings">§<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><i>Expanding
the learning and practice of self-organizing communities.<u></u><u></u></i></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 1in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings">§<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><i>Understanding
and integrating what sustains self organizing communities.<u></u><u></u></i></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 1in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings">§<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><i>Using Open
Space principles in creating and sustaining the Open Space Institute.<u></u><u></u></i></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 1in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">Perhaps
my first and most vital learning is that staying close to the essence, the
intention that inspires us, is vital. We find that every time we drift from
what the Open Space Institute personally means to each of us, our desire to
invest any time or energy in making it happen dissipates. We discovered this
through our early meetings on incorporation. As a person schooled in "good
meeting practices," I’d prepare an agenda full of things to discuss,
decisions to make, and we’d "slog" our way through, leaving everyone
exhausted by the end of the session. There had to be a better way! So I
swallowed hard, let go of a pre-set agenda and asked, <i>"What has real vitality and meaning to us?"</i> Here is an
excerpt from our reflections on that question: <u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 0.5in"><i> </i></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 0.5in"><i>Let us make the primary purpose of our time
together the renewal of our spirit and commitment to what OSI is about. This is
a time of restoring energy by focusing on our relationship to our purpose and
to each other.<u></u><u></u></i></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">This
has a variety of implications. It puts a great deal of responsibility on sub-teams
to get things done. It means using a different vehicle for keeping everyone
informed. Our thought is to heavily use e-mail for this purpose. It takes a
"leap of faith" by each of us that things will get done. It also
means trusting that those areas needing the whole group’s attention will
naturally emerge in our meetings since they are important to the people who are
there. <u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">The
result? We are discovering that simple rituals of relationship, such as
checking in and checking out, provide the form to "hold" the spirit
of the community. We begin every session with a check-in on what draws us here
- what has heart and meaning to each of us right now. We end each session with
a check-out on how we’re feeling about the process and our progress. This has
consistently led to conversations that not only cover more than we would have
with a formal agenda, but leaves each of us energized and our connection to
each other renewed.<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><i> </i></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><i>Pay attention to Basic principles: they
define the character of the organization<u></u><u></u></i></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">Open
Space Technology makes four principles and one law explicit. These principles,
coupled with the intention or theme of the session, form the boundary
conditions that give an Open Space event its organization. Stating them is part
of the ritual of beginning an Open Space meeting:<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 0.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings">§<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>Whoever comes is the right people;<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 0.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings">§<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>Whatever happens is the only thing that could
have;<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 0.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings">§<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>When it starts is the right time; and<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 0.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings">§<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>When its over, its over. <u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">The
law of two feet says to take responsibility for what you care about; if you are
neither contributing nor adding value where you are, use your two feet and go
somewhere else.<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">While
these principles continue to shape the OSI, we are applying some other
principles that are implicit in Open Space. By naming them, they help us hold the
space claimed by the OSI across time and distance; beyond a single event. They
are:<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><br></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u>Inclusion
is our lifeblood</u><u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">Three
stories illustrate different aspects of this principle.<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><em> </em></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><em>The
Need for New Generations</em><u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">This
year marked the fourth annual Open Space on Open Space (OSonOS). There were
over 60 people in attendance, some of whom have worked with Open Space
Technology since its beginning, some for a few years and some who were in Open
Space for the first time. Many "old timers" hadn’t come back this
year. In several conversations, people reflected on why this was so. The year
three OSonOS had few newcomers, so it was mostly the same people having the
same conversations with each other. For many, it had very little life. What
those who did return were noticing this year, was that a "new
generation" had arrived. They brought "old questions," which
gave new purpose to long time practitioners, who acted as mentors. The new
comers also brought new ideas and perspectives into the mix. This served as a
very graphic reminder of the obvious: without new generations, there is no
continued life.<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><em> </em></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><em>Who
Do We Think We Are?</em><u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">Here
we were, a handful of relative new comers to Open Space, having formed an
institute without the involvement of many who have been part of OS since its
beginning. Our challenge: to make the institute theirs as much as it was ours.
We held conversations on "What would an Open Space Institute mean to
you?" and "Staying Connected: holding space for the Open Space
Community" and other related topics. <u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">Through
these conversations, the purpose of the OSI became clearer: <u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 0.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings">§<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>a space for mutual support and connection<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 0.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings">§<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>a space to mentor and be mentored<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 0.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings">§<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>a space for learning and research.<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">It
also set the focus for the OSI’s next step -- get the word out: broaden the
community. Our challenge is to create ways for everyone who cares to to
participate. This led to two priorities: <u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">get
a Web site established and get a mass mailing out to invite the known community
of Open Spacers in. Once again, it reminded us that Open Space is fundamentally
about inclusion, we sustain ourselves by constantly inviting people in.<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><em> </em></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><em>A
Tale of Two Institutes: Diversity is a blessing</em><u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">At
the same time we were forming the OSI in Seattle, another group was forming the
Open Space Institute of Canada. The seeds of competition were present as we
compared notes on how differently we’d approached our start-up. Yet, as we
talked, we found we both had interest in answering many of the same questions:
What did people want from the institute? How can we keep the OS community
connected? How can we foster learning and research? How can we do a better job
of training new facilitators? It became clear to us that starting with two
affiliates was a blessing in disguise: there would never be a single "center."
In the spirit of inclusion, our mutuality of intention would guide what we do
together and where one or the other would take the lead.<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><br></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u>Giving
is our legacy<u></u><u></u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">Harrison
Owen, the creator of Open Space managed to grow the practitioners of Open Space
to approximately 3,000 people. That was a lesson to us on the value of
generosity of spirit. When people spoke of the role of the OSI, many expressed
the desire to pass on to others what they had learned, just as Harrison had
supported them in learning about the power and use of Open Space. <u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">It
was Harrison who suggested the formation of the OSI. It is now his challenge to
"let go of his baby." He has figuratively stepped from the center of
the circle to join his colleagues on the circle’s perimeter. The tradition of
giving is at the heart of our founding.<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><br></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u>Less
is more is our work ethic<u></u><u></u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">When
the practice of Open Space first began, early practitioners, used to
elaborating on a good idea, wanted to embellish it. Harrison Owen would always
caution, "less is more; what can we take away and remain true to the
spirit of what we are doing?" Thus, we strive to "keep it
simple," by constantly reminding ourselves of the essence of whatever we
do.<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">The
genius of Open Space is that it puts no structure on the content; the form is
entirely shaped by intention and principle. This is probably the most
challenging part of forming the OSI. An institute implies stability and order.
We seek to re-invent "institute" as an adaptive structure; a
continually emerging community expanding itself through learning and action.<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><i>Someone has to "hold the space:"
otherwise its just another good idea before its time<u></u><u></u></i></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">When
an idea does not yet belong to everyone, it requires at least one person to
keep investing time and energy. This includes the mundane stuff of setting
meeting times, putting out meeting minutes to help those at a distance stay
connected to the conversation. Ultimately, if the idea is viable, others
"catch the spirit" and activity starts happening in many places. <u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in">I
have learned that while many think the idea of an Open Space Institute is a
good one, its only a few who have an interest in creating and holding the
space. If one or two of us were distracted, its not clear that the OSI would
continue. Open Space teaches us that organizations run on passion and
responsibility. How this moves from one to many is a lesson we are still
learning.<u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><u></u> <u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><i>Peggy Holman is a co-founder of the Open
Space Institute. She also works for Weyerhaeuser Company as a Quality Director,
supporting communities of knowledge workers in changing the way they work. If
you want to know more about the Open Space Institute, contact Peggy Holman at
<a href="tel:%28206%29643-6357" value="+12066436357" target="_blank">(206)643-6357</a>, by e-mail at </i><a href="mailto:usa@openspaceworld.org" target="_blank"><i>usa@openspaceworld.org</i></a><i> or visit the OSI web site at: </i><a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org" target="_blank"><i>www.openspaceworld.org</i></a><i>. We provide access to training, research,
publications, special Open Space Technology events and contact with others
interested in Open Space.<u></u><u></u></i></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><i> <u></u><u></u></i></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><em>Draft
of</em><u></u><u></u></div><div style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><em>Holman,
Peggy, (1997, March/April), "Sustaining Open Space", At Work, p.
31-32.</em><u></u><u></u></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div><div><br><div>
<div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);letter-spacing:normal;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;word-wrap:break-word"><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);letter-spacing:normal;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;word-wrap:break-word"><div>_________________________________</div>Peggy Holman<br>Executive Director<br>Journalism that Matters<br>15347 SE 49th Place<br>Bellevue, WA 98006<br><a href="tel:425-746-6274" value="+14257466274" target="_blank">425-746-6274</a><br><a href="http://www.journalismthatmatters.net" target="_blank">www.journalismthatmatters.net</a><br><a href="http://www.peggyholman.com" target="_blank">www.peggyholman.com</a><br>Twitter: @peggyholman<br>JTM Twitter: @JTMStream<br><br>Enjoy the award winning <a href="http://www.engagingemergence.com" target="_blank">Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity</a><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br></div></div>
</div><div class="elided-text">
<br><div><blockquote type="cite"><div>On Jul 18, 2016, at 4:13 PM, Jeff Aitken via OSList <<a href="mailto:oslist@lists.openspacetech.org" target="_blank">oslist@lists.openspacetech.org</a>> wrote:</div><br><div><p dir="ltr">Some q's come to mind...</p><p dir="ltr">What's the origin story of the OS Institute? What flash of insight gave birth to an organization to meet a need? What was the need?</p><p dir="ltr">Blessings<br>
Jeff</p>
<div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Jul 18, 2016 4:05 PM, "Harold Shinsato via OSList" <<a href="mailto:oslist@lists.openspacetech.org" target="_blank">oslist@lists.openspacetech.org</a>> wrote:<br type="attribution"><blockquote style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
Thanks Harrison!<br>
<br>
Great wisdom... if you could invite people into living questions you
might encourage us to enjoy - what might those be?<br>
<br>
Inferring from your response - I'll guess at a few living
questions...<br>
<br>
?How can I/we do as little as possible?<br>
?How can I/we be fully present, but basically invisible?<br>
?How can I/we have fun opening space - whenever, wherever, however,
with whomever, about whatever as often as I/we can?<br>
<br>
Anything else?<br>
<br>
Thanks!<font color="#888888"><br>
Harold</font><div><br>
<br>
<div>On 7/18/16 3:41 PM, Harrison Owen
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Harold
– I love your intensity and focus! And -- I have a few
suggestions for your “practical questions” (How can the
OSI-US best support our community?<br>
How can we best work together with the community to
co-create a broad and diverse circle of people holding space
for open space?)<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Do
as little as possible.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Never
work harder than you have to.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Be
present, but basically invisible. <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Remember
the 5 Principles<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Practice
The Law of Two Feet<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Have
fun.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">That
ought to do it. At least it always worked for me. </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">J</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Harrison<br>
<br>
<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">PS
– and if you need something more specific – Just open space
whenever, wherever, however, with whomever, about whatever,
as often as you can.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></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";color:windowtext">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext">
OSList [<a href="mailto:oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org" target="_blank">mailto:oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org</a>] <b>On
Behalf Of </b>Harold Shinsato via OSList<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, July 18, 2016 5:11 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> OSLIST<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [OSList] Renewing the Mission of the
Open Space Institute U.S.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
</div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">Dear People of
Open Space:<br>
<br>
The Open Space Institute of the U.S. has been "holding space
for open space" since at least 1997. It's origins lie in the
summer of 1996, 20 years ago. In the beginnings, there were
many serious conversations in the community as to the role and
mission of such an institute, and that role has certainly
evolved over the years. The board has determined it is time
for us to revisit our mission and role, and especially to
invite and trust the rest of the community refresh and renew
our purpose.<br>
<br>
Rather than have a mission statement, we hope instead to have
a mission question. Or series of questions. What are the most
valuable and alive questions for our community right now, and
for the foreseeable future?<br>
<br>
To start the "question storming", here are some questions that
have been reportedly asked deeply within our community in the
early days:<br>
<br>
What is Open Space Technology?<br>
What is Open Space?<br>
What is Space?<br>
<br>
And here are some practical questions that would help guide
the OSI-US's operations:<br>
<br>
How can the OSI-US best support our community?<br>
How can we best work together with the community to co-create
a broad and diverse circle of people holding space for open
space?<br>
<br>
Thanks!<br>
Harold Shinsato<br>
on behalf of the Board of the Open Space Institute, U.S.<u></u><u></u></p>
<div><p class="MsoNormal">-- <br>
Harold Shinsato<br>
<a href="mailto:harold@shinsato.com" target="_blank">harold@shinsato.com</a><br>
<a href="http://shinsato.com/" target="_blank">http://shinsato.com</a><br>
twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/hajush" target="_blank">@hajush</a><u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br>
<div>-- <br>
Harold Shinsato<br>
<a href="mailto:harold@shinsato.com" target="_blank">harold@shinsato.com</a><br>
<a href="http://shinsato.com/" target="_blank">http://shinsato.com</a><br>
twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/hajush" target="_blank">@hajush</a></div>
</div></div>
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