STORIES, The Newsletter of the Open Space Institute (US) Issue 7, December, 2004
Purpose of the Newsletter The purpose of the newsletter is to make our stories available to each other so that we continue to learn and grow. We hope they will serve you for education, examples, connection and pleasure. This newsletter is intended for the use of friends and members of the Open Space Institute (US). It may be reproduced in any useful way with acknowledgement. When copying, please include the author/contact/publication information at the end of each story. In This Issue 1 -- Editor's Note 2 -- Stories 3 -- December Stillness 4 -- Announcements 5 -- Coming Events 6 -- Open Space Training *************************************************** 1 -- EDITOR'S NOTE In the northern hemisphere, we are now in the season of winter solstice, with long, dark nights and short days, the sun often overshadowed by rain or snow clouds. I've been enjoying the dark, venturing out for damp or foggy walks-but I soon return to the fire. And I find that, like my Scandinavian ancestors, I want to light candles at night and in the early morning, to make a small circle of light in the darkness. The news of the season is dark as well-war, and acts of terror, and the horror of tens of thousands of people, homes and livelihoods swept away by earthquakes and tsunamis in southeast Asia. In the midst of these days of chaos and darkness, the stories that you may read below come to me with the grace of lighted candles on a winter day. I find myself moved and inspired by what people are doing with everyday tools: the gift of appreciation, which helps us discover shared values and wishes, and the simple ritual of opening a larger space, a space which welcomes diverse points of view and makes room for our creativity. This issue is devoted specifically to combining Appreciative Inquiry and Open Space in working with organizations. And these stories are representative of the many ways that we are growing, learning, bringing together all the best methods we know, on behalf of our clients, our communities, our lives together. I appreciate Peggy's good work in gathering these stories for our pleasure. I think you will enjoy hearing about the candles your friends and colleagues are lighting! Joelle Lyons Everett *************************************************** 2 -- STORIES This issue, devoted to stories about Open Space and Appreciative Inquiry contains the "rough cuts" of the November 2004 issue of the Appreciative Inquiry Practitioner. For your reading pleasure: http://www.openspaceworld.org/tmnfiles/newsletter0412AIP.htm Emerging in Appreciative Space...................................................................Peggy Holman Open Space as Appreciative........................................................................Harrison Owen An Open Invitation to the Appreciative.........................................................Diana Whitney Cross-Cultural Integration: Mobilizing the Grass Roots..................................Sharon King Engaging Strategy with Apprecitive Inquiry and Open Space.........................Larry Peterson Liberation & Communication: Tapping the Wisdom of the Collective.............Christine Whitney Sanchez Rapid High-Participation Strategic Planning...................................................Sallie Lee, Debbie Morris, and Birgitt Williams Learning to Lead: A School for Executives....................................................Diane Gibeault A Wealth Creating Dynamic Duo: AI and OST.............................................Anne Stadler Unicef in the Former Yugoslavia: Annual Retreat...........................................Carla Vliex Constructing the Future Together - Appreciative Space Launch.....................Kaj Voetmann and Sara Inés Gómez Open Space and Appreciative Inquiry Together...Online..............................Gabriel Shirley *************************************************** 3 -- DECEMBER STILLNESS There is no peace on earth: But still A star hangs low against the black December sky, Catkins hang on winter-bare red branches, Cold, silent waiting holds the world. There is no peace on earth: But still A friend holds my eye with a steady smile, A fire on the hearth holds back the winter darkness, A child, playing by the hearth, sings snatches of a song. There is no peace on earth: What use, against the darkness, One fire, one smile? What use, against the darkness, One child, one star, one song? There will be peace on earth: Be still. --Joelle Lyons Everett *************************************************** 4 -- ANNOUNCEMENTS THE OPEN SPACE WORLD MAP The OS world map tracks the spread of Open Space Technology (108 countries presently). In addition, it provides space for everyone working with Open Space (estimated to be more than 10 000) in all of those countries. All are invited to include themselves in this Map. Inclusion is self selected, conferring neither title, nor certification nor endorsement through others. Expenses are covered through fees that are structured so that nobody is excluded by reason of cash. The Map is a service of Michael M Pannwitz. Curious? Please visit: http://www.openspaceworldmap.org/ WORLD-WIDE OPEN SPACE RESEARCH PROJECT What has been the effect of Open Space in the world? That's what we want to find out. Information on how you can participate coming soon.... *************************************************** 5 -- COMING EVENTS Open Space on Open Space in the U.S. San Antonio, Texas November 2005 (dates TBD) Participants in the first 2004 U.S. OSonOS thought it would be a good idea to have another, probably in November and probably in San Antonio Texas. Stay tuned at this address for more information: http://www.openspaceworld.org/network/wiki.cgi?OpenSpaceOnOpenSpaceInUS Open Space on Open Space - international Halifax, Nova Scotia August 3-6, 2005 Stay tuned to this address for more information: http://www.openspaceworld.org/wiki/wiki/wiki.cgi?OpenSpaceOnOpenSpace Until the site is ready, contact Judi Richardson ju...@accesswave.ca *************************************************************** 6 -- OPEN SPACE TRAINING For the most current information on Open Space training resources, visit http://www.openspaceworld.org/wiki/wiki/wiki.cgi?OpenSpaceTraining ********************************************************** STORIES is published occasionally, online, by the Open Space Institute (US). To subscribe, contact Peggy Holman, u...@openspaceworld.org To submit your story, contact Joelle Everett, jleshel...@aol.com __________________________________ Peggy Holman Open Space Institute (US) 15347 SE 49th Place Bellevue, Wa 98006 (425) 746-6274 www.openspaceworld.org To subscribe to the open space listserv, visit http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html For Open Space products, visit http://www.openspaceworld.org/wiki/wiki/wiki.cgi?OpenSpaceBooksAndVideos To donate to the OSI-US, visit http://www.openspaceproducts.us/payments.html * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist