i had some of these same thoughts, diane. reminded me that every invitation has a boundary or edge. some fuzzy and some firm. this group, this company, this color, whatever... and most importantly, however... this *purpose*.
springing from your example, i'd say if the purpose is to explore what it means to be african-american, then many other ethnic groups might properly be excluded. if the purpose is the advancement of a-a folks, then others with passion for that might well be included. we could say the same about developing a product in a company. if it's about production, it might be insiders only, or might include vendors too. if it's about use of the product, or design, it might include customers. in all cases, i think *responsibility* makes the difference. who's in a position to take it, not just care, but do something about their interest. the more specific the work, then the more specific the invitation. in the cases peggy raises, if the *purpose* is for one person to try someting out, or have something dealt with in themselves, it might very well be that they need a certain group of people, who meet that person's trust, or other criteria. i think the discomfort might arise from an invitation that doesn't make clear its true (even if very specific purpose) or when a when a someone with a clear, specific purpose doesn't realize how many others might be share the same issue, need, purpose. articulating purpose and supporting communion must be two of OS most important opportunities, challenges, and practices, i think. michael On 8/16/06, Diane Brandon <di...@keysregion.org> wrote:
I find this thread interesting, and want to add a few more questions. If a conference on African-American experience is held in OS, can it be limited to African-Americans? Same with a women's gathering or men's gathering? Or would it not be OS if the invitation is limited to one race or gender? I suppose the question would be the same for those belonging to one profession -- cooks or physicians or whatever -- or one "business" -- Ford Motor Company, for example. If there is an OS for African-Americans only, can there be a breakout session posted that says "for women only" or "for men only" or "for those under 20 yrs old only"? (All just examples.) This may be covered in one of Harrison's books, but I only have the "user's guide," and I didn't find it there when I just looked. (It talks about inviting "those who care" -- but not about other limits, that I can find.) Diane Diane Brandon, M.Ed., Coordinator KEYS Coalition (CWC) Landmark Hill Community Resource Center 518 Rte One, Box 4, Kittery, ME 03904 207-438-9100 Fax: 207-439-8764 di...@keysregion.org www.keysregion.org On Aug 16, 2006, at 12:30 PM, ashley cooper wrote: Thank you all for this conversation. Two lines of thought are present with me, I'll try and give them words. A meta note: I recognize that many individuals are deepening their capacities for intimate interpersonal relationships where a collective is actively engaging the wisdom that is present, becoming a collective consciously flowing as a unified whole. This is different from conscious people coming together as powerful individuals who are piecing together the parts of their offerings into a collaborative offering. Both are extremely important and useful in the world and I also see them as different forces. As I read this butterfly thread, I see in my mind's eye the image of a butterfly. However this butterfly is not a single person, it is a single whole that is made up of many people. This whole exists but does not yet know itself (is not self aware). Some-one in the whole recognizes it is a whole and calls attention to itself. I see the private sessions as being very similar to Chris' solitary moments in the bushes. It is a time-space experience of breathing as oneself, of honoring a flow or current that is vibrant and present internally but a little less so in the openness of all that are present at the event. In order to honor and engage the essence of this flow, the small, resonant collective must experience itself together and thus a private session emerges. If the intention to hold a certain resonance together is made clear, then whoever comes are the right people... The other notion that comes to me is the role of invitation. I was also at both events that Peggy mentioned. At both the invitation was extended to a wide array of individuals, many people present. The diversity made the events; the complexity of people and relationships was essential in the essence and life that emerged. What do you do when there is more potential and intention present in a gathering then the widespread call that is made? It seems to me like a smaller space opened within a larger OS and a separate invitation was sent out while the event was going on. If the same group had left the original OS event, moved next store to the next beautiful island retreat center and held a 4 hour open space and then returned to the original OS, sharing that which unfolded, would that have been more appropriate? One other little piece of information is that I know at the May Evolutionary Salon there was at least one other private invitational session that happened during the final next-step action-planning breakout sessions. I wonder if this is a pattern beginning to emerge... a need for invitational breakout sessions within certain larger Open Spaces. I wonder how developmental stages of individuals and collectives fits into this equation. I also see the challenges that arise with these wonderings! I'll stop here! Curious, Ashley * * ========================================================== 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 * * ========================================================== 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
-- Michael Herman Michael Herman Associates 300 West North Ave #1105 Chicago IL 60610 USA Phone: 312-280-7838 mich...@michaelherman.com skype: globalchicago http://www.michaelherman.com http://www.openspaceworld.org Inviting Leadership ...getting the most important things done in the easiest possible ways. * * ========================================================== 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
