Re: Starting with Open Space

t First 5 - Placer First 5 - Placer CFC Don Ferretti - Director Office: 530.886.1824 Fax: 530.886.1810 Cell: 530.308.1755 * * == osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu -- To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,

Short Report of Gratitude

for all of the sharing on this list. I am indebted to all of my fellow OS practitioners. Thank you – Don Ferretti http://placer.networkofcare.org www.placer.ca.gov/cfc First 5 - Placer CFC Don Ferretti - Director 530.886.1824 53

Theme Conversation

e too? Thanks - Don http://placer.networkofcare.org www.placer.ca.gov/cfc First 5 - Placer CFC Don Ferretti - Director 530.886.1824 530.886.1810 (fax) * * == osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu -- To subs

Re: OS with people coming late

whenever it starts is the right timeand what will happen is that those who heard the opening will tell those who came in late what is happening.. http://placer.networkofcare.org www.placer.ca.gov/cfc First 5 - Placer CFC Don Ferretti - Director 530.886.1824 530.886.1810 (fax

Metaphors Elephants

his life to master the knightly training. He couldn’t leave all the training behind * could he? The Age of the Heretics * Art Kleiner http://placer.networkofcare.org www.placer.ca.gov/cfc First 5 - Placer CFC Don Ferretti - Director 530.886.1824 530.886.1810 (fax

What the Bleep

in related information. Also, it is a great movie to have a conversation about. It is totally in sync with Open Space. http://placer.networkofcare.org www.placer.ca.gov/cfc First 5 - Placer CFC Don Ferretti - Director 530.886.1824 530.886.1810 (fax) * *

Survival of the Cooperative

/cfc First 5 - Placer CFC Don Ferretti - Director 530.886.1824 530.886.1810 (fax) * * == osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu -- To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.bois

Re: strangers in a new land

"reality" through anothers eyes would be a strange world indeed. Just a thought to ponder when we engage people in visioning. http://placer.networkofcare.org www.placer.ca.gov/cfc Don Ferretti 530.889.6751 530.889.6763 (fax) >>> jleshel...@aol.com 12/01/04 02:19PM >>> F

Re: vision

, to develop a vision at the word level alone is a waste of time - similarly with the mission and or purpose statement. http://placer.networkofcare.org www.placer.ca.gov/cfc Don Ferretti 530.889.6751 530.889.6763 (fax) >>> k...@napuk.demon.co.uk 11/29/04 10:44AM >>> Dear Jennifer H

Re: Why Metaphors

www.placer.ca.gov/cfc Don Ferretti 530.889.6751 530.889.6763 (fax) >>> d...@innergy.ca 10/26/04 09:45AM >>> It's interesting that you equate "machine like" with hierarchical... Could you explain that? duff Don Ferretti wrote: >If you think about it, one reason that metap

Why Metaphors

www.placer.ca.gov/cfc Don Ferretti 530.889.6751 530.889.6763 (fax) * * == osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu -- To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http

Re: Seeking Feedback

tworkofcare.org www.placer.ca.gov/cfc Don Ferretti 530.889.6751 530.889.6763 (fax) >>> k...@auryn.nl 08/02/04 11:08AM >>> Joe, I don't have experience with your number 2. but I can say something about number 1: OS as a taste for OS does not work. I tried it once and found

Re: getting started in consulting

skilled in opening space and that is what you like to do most - then stick with it. The marketplace will give you the feedback you need to decide if you need to add other practices. Don Ferretti 530.889.6751 530.889.6763 (fax) http://placer.networkofcare.org www.placer.ca.gov/cfc >>> ra...@po

Re: Monopolizers

My advice is: Don't ask the people in the circle if they have any questions after you have stated the process, theme, principles and one law - just open the space. After that the law of two feet will take care of time monopolizers. http://placer.networkofcare.org >>> peterest...@charter.net 02/24

Re: Silence

How important is silence in my day? Very important. I have learned that silence is as much as part of conversation as talking is, especially since all the research shows that the words we speak out loud are actually a very small part of what is communicated. I know that this is a very important thi

Re: Properties of circles

What circles do for me when I am fortunate enough to be the one opening the space - is that the circle is my ally, my friend. I know that as a fact - not just theory. I have the feeling that I am not alone because I have the circle in there doing the magic it has been doing since the beginning of

OS and Funding

I thought that maybe someone on this list might be interested in the attached short story that captures how a small California foundation used a combination of Open Space and methods from the Institute for Cultural Affairs to allocate its funds. http://placer.networkofcare.org * * =

Re: Thoughts?

Harrison covers this quite well in the User's Guide. http://placer.networkofcare.org >>> scoch...@leadershipresults.org 11/07/03 10:12AM >>> Hello All - Any thoughts on the following request I received re: a Space I'll be opening next Monday? " One thought regarding your introductory comments M

Re: Attachment and Detachment

Highly trained facilitators have a difficult time in Open Space because we just can't believe that we don't need to facilitate it. But that does not stop us from finding a way to facilitate - to make ourselves feel more useful or smart. Fact is however, people will self-organize around their passio

Re: Open Space with people with disabilities

A no brainer but I'd change the law of two feet to the law of mobility as has been suggested by Harrison in the past. So that people with one foot or no feet won't feel offended or singled out. * * == osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu --

Dots Again

"Nominal Group Technique" says that you take the number of items and divide them by 3 - each person gets that many dots -(15 items each person gets 5 dots) - one rule, you can't put all of your dots on one item - if the dots are used in this way it is very effective in showing those items with the

Re: Reviving a Facilitator's Passion

Marty, My first thought is something that I learned the hard way early on in my 28 years of being a Facilitator. And, that is that I cannot achieve a groups outcomes for them. That is their job. I can design process and/or open some space or whatever and I can be facilitative and use every skill

Re: What are the unstated assumptions and aims of OS?

This reminds me that underneath all of the "facilitator" talk of process and all that stuff. We are always in Open Space if we believe we are. The opening of space from the circle is just a reminder of that for those who have forgotten. >>> lisah...@pacbell.net 10/11/02 10:05AM >>> Question: Can w

Re: story from Don Ferretti

You didn't miss it - I'm under a deadline to get a report out - I will do it ASAP.Thanks../Don >>> ro...@compuserve.com 10/04/02 12:00AM >>> hi Don.. you kindly offered a story on "opening space for a local government and communithy that were divided on animal care iss

Re: Using digital cameras...

I'm not hot on substituting the pics for the written reports - I like hanging out around the "newsroom" too much and the generative activity that creates. But, I do use digital pics to intersperse through the report of the proceedings so that it can be e-mailed. The combination of pics and written

Re: Any experience/success with OS in an auditorium?

If the stage is too small, find places in and between the rows of seats to stand in a circle to Open the Space? After that it is all about people making their own spaces anyway. Otherwise, you will need a different facility. >>> ju...@accesswave.ca 08/29/02 07:41AM >>> Hi Susan -- My idea is the

Re: "professional" signs question from Ed Ball

I like to make my own charts - bumble bees and butterflies included. I usually do this the evening before or right before the event when I'm setting up the room. I like the way this activity grounds me . It's like a meditation or pregame warm-up - as I write the words and remember what they mean.

Bantering's Other Side

The issue I have with bantering is that often it slides into a mode I've heard described as hostility masquerading as wit. >>> jleshel...@aol.com 07/25/02 09:43AM >>> In a message dated 7/25/02 7:10:05 AM, alan.stew...@senet.com.au writes: << I have the intuitive notion that when bantering is in

More on Empowerment - Short

I missed a lot of the 'empowerment" conversation so I'm not sure how relevant this comment is. I assume the moderator will screen it. But, at one time I could not stand the word or the concept of empowerment. I thought it was patronizing, condescending and generally came from a world view that s

Re: OST as a conference track

I did an Open Space as part of a conference track. It was a statewide conference on fairs. Their theme. "What Matters to You" was a great theme. The Open Space closed within the track so the closing circle was conducted within that holding environment and it felt like any other OS closing. I thi

Re: OST for a city council

I had an opportunity to open space for a county government that is doing planning around animal control issues. About 70 people showed up and identified issues that definitely expanded the context for the planners to consider. The recommendations from the group will eventually make their way to

Birthing A Chaord

There is a group I'm working with that is in the beginning stages of designing an organizational structure that will support a networked community governance model for our local children and families commission. Dee Hock's book: Birth of the Chaordic Age has been a reference point and the subjec

Any Ideas on this one?

There exists now a 12 member committee that has reviewed 22 proposals for funding. Their charge is to make recommendations to a "commission" on which proposals should be funded. Of course, there is not enough money available to fund all of them at the amounts requested. The committee would like

Copy Rights

I thought that as long as you gave written credit to the source, and did not try to make it seem like it was your work or make money from it, that it was O.K. to quote a persons work. How wrong have I been in that? >>> mher...@globalchicago.net 01/23/02 02:22PM >>> well, maybe too fastidious fo

Staying in the Room

Once a long time ago when the Market Place was opened for a small group of about 15, I left the room. Oh it worked out. Everyone knows it works every time. But, I had a nagging feeling that maybe the space was not fully opened, and I heard later that one person was very dominant at the beginning

Fancy or Plain

As Bob Dylan once said, "you say it fancy or you can say it plain". I think self-organization in the context of an "Open Space" is that people will do what matters to them all by themselves in a very organized way, without a lot or any traditional pre-planned or even spontaneous facilitator inte

Re: Ideas for closing activity?

Lisa. This is brainstorming...right? How about "conocimiento" the big ball of yarn that is tossed and ends up showing our connectedness, a word to the Bishop then throw the yarn. Scissors passed around to cut away from the web, and take a piece of the yarn (and the experience) with you. ?..

Thought, Words, Action

Some perspectives are timeless Buddha said: The thought manifests as the word. The word manifests as the deed. The deed develops into habit, and habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care. And, let it spring from love born out of concern for all things. All t

Re: Truth and conflict

Just wondering if anyone who is participating in this conversation has read "The Magic of Conflict" by David Carum. It is cool with the whole issue of truth and conflict, etc. viewed through lense of Aikido. Don > * * == osl...@listserv.

Letting Go

For me the "letting go" is the letting go of the 25 years of training and experience I have as a "Facilitator." The training tells you that you must preplan agendas that are meaningful to the group, and that will lead toward "meeting outcomes" that you must think through possible pitfalls and de

Re: tibetan bells

Now that is an offer I would like to take you up on too. I will trust your judgement on the type as I know you know what kind to get. What is the cost and where do I send the check? >>> koos...@auryn.nl 06/13/01 11:12AM >>> Dear Raffi, I don't know a place on the internet, but I can easily get

Reaction to the Reactions

Great feedback, thanks. It is getting shorter, thanks to your help, and probably will get shorter with the necessary context in the invitation. It still feels to "outcome driven" to me but that will work itself out, I think. What will we show our community to demonstrate the impact of our progra

Theme Reaction

ace will be the kick-off to an "empowerment evaluation" model for a results-oriented community effort. What will we show our community to demonstrate the impact of our programs in achieving healthy family functioning, child development, and systems improvement? Thanks..

Re: Drop-ins

My advice is to make sure that the sponsor knows that anyone who wants to convene a session needs to post it on the community bulletin board, even those who drop in after the space is open. Then hide the microphone so that no one can make a public announcement during the Open Space, and all will

Re: OS and AI

I'm still in the afterglow of opening a very fine Open Space earlier this week in a youth conference around the theme: Integrating Asset-Based Approaches Into Life, Work and Community so I'm sure my vision is tweaked. But, this conversation about OS and IA, reminded me of something I read by Dav

Small systems large systems

Laura, I had a similar experience when I opened space for five people and then for 10 people. Both times they stayed in one group and either dealt with each topic in some logical order or merged topics as they went along. I wonder if there is a reason why small complex adaptive systems behave t

Power Point Received

Thank you everyone for the quick response to my request for the power point. Don Ferretti * * == osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Visit: http

Powerpoint Again

to me. Many Thanks........Don Ferretti * * == osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist

A thought on the Story

Just like organizational blocks and contradictions, I imagine that sometimes the "story" can be so intertwined with the person's life that they cannot tell the story objectively or probably don't even see the story because it is so much a part of them. Like the eye trying to see the eye without

Report from the Field

Yesterday I had the privilege of opening space for a 98 person gathering of people who will be involved in evaluating a statewide initiative know here in California as Proposition 10. The theme as you might imagine was: What are the issues and opportunities facing us as we attempt to evaluate th

From Left Field

It's almost like the Law of Two Feet is one of the hardest actions for people to take. "We" are so conditioned to toughing it out and waiting for the official break. I know I face that myself when I'm in a group as a participant and need to move on. I think it's important to convey the Law of T

My Favorite Part

My favorite parts of Open Space are... Getting in touch with the "Me" who believes in and prepares for opening space. Going into the room when no one is there and just sitting there in the middle. Seeing everyone in the large circle before it starts. The feeling that emerges once people have looke

Re: Meme Defined

Harrison, I hope I pressed the right button as this is supposed to be a response to you, not the list. but we'll see. Thanks for the further clarification on meme. The concept caught my attention too and I silently look for memes as I go about my life. I do have your most recent book The Power

Meme Defined

I like seeing this term "meme" show up on the list. I first ran across it in Art Kleiners book "The Age of The Heretics." He said it is a term coined by Geneticist Richard Dawkins, referring to the "Secular Millennium" a time when a fervent aspiration of Millenarians emerged in the twelfth cent

Re: Seeking support for OS in the SF Bay area

I'm sure my Bay Area fellow OS practioners, Jeff Aitken and/or Lisa Heft will rise to the call. If not, I would be happy to help as I have a couple coming up. Don Ferretti >>> Susan Partnow 01/31/01 03:57PM >>> I am helping a group plan their regional conference -- to b

Productive Chaos

Harrison's new book The Power of Spirit - How Organizations Transform. Although I'm still not completely sure I understand what I need to know about proactive, reactive and/or interactive organizations, Harrison's did a great job of linking chaos theory with Open Space. - che

MyOSLIST

f what I've see here on the list. It is truly an amazing grid. There have been so many times when I have had an OS question or needed an idea and as if by magic by virtue of a fellow practitioner logging on and sharing, the answer has come to me. Than

Open

Terrie, You are the first person I have communicated with who actually can bend a spoon by letting go. I have read Wheatley's books. I understand how Open Space demonstrates the order of chaos. I have put into practice these thoughts as I approach my work and life and I thought I was doing pret

The Fifth Principle Perhaps?

You bent a spoon with your mind? * * == osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html ===

Re: Participant Driven Open Space Principles and Laws

really doesn't require anymore facilitation than that - Don Ferretti >>> "Francoise Coupal, Mosaic.net International" >>> 11/27/00 12:21PM >>> I am wondering if any of you out there on the list serve has ever facilitated an open spa

story board

Just after you have opened the market place and you are leaving the circle and people are getting out of their chairs and going to the wall to sign up... someone says in a loud voice"wait a minute I want to hear from everyone about how they are doing on their individual county strategic plan

Powerpoint

I also would like to see the Power Point on OS. Thanks../Don dferr...@placer.ca.gov * * == osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Vi

Wondering

Jeff, Thank you once again for giving me advice on designing an OS. I enjoyed all the conversation on Saturday and hope those little gatherings in open space continue. I was wondering, what would you charge me for you to come to Placer County and open space for a one day event? Don * * =

The Agora Affect

ra of ancient Athens" that Harrison mentions in Expanding Our Now. Don Ferretti * * == osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu V

Re: MAKING THE SWITCH

I have not really been following the conversation about "making a switch." I just want to continue to be able to tap into, and give to, The List. So as ,long as that can still happen whatever is done is fine with me. Don Ferretti >

Bay Area OS Facilitators

Hi Jeff, Did a meeting happen on June 4 as planned? I was really bummed that I had that conflict and could not be there. The fact that I needed to see my family off for their trip abroad is about the only thing that could have kept me from showing up at the meeting. What do you think will happ

Re: OS in community planning?

Jeff, Thanks for posting this question. I posted a similar question and got two responses (one from Harrison). I will be tracking along with the responses you receive. In the next few months I will be responsible for convening two "public review" meetings so that people (English & Spanish speak

Water into wine?

I'm working on a local government planning project that requires a public review of the planning document to get community input. Everyone is expecting the same old process of presenting the plan then having people come to a podium or something and blah blah blah. I don't want to do that. The

2 Hours

A couple of people asked me to report out on the 2 hour OS held in Spanish with me as a non-Spanish speaking space opener. The short version of the story is: It worked. The long version is that it worked really well. Thanks Jeff Aitken for working with me on the timing. The 30 minute opening,

Gracias,

Thank you to everyone who gave me the principles and one law in Spanish.

Spanish

Could someone give me a Spanish translation of the four principles and one law in Spanish? Then go the extra step of giving the phonetic version. Reason: I'm opening space for a group of mostly Spanish speaking parents. I do not speak Spanish but from my previous experience with this they will

2 hour OS?

Maybe someone in our cool little list community here can help me feel better about accepting an invitation to open space for two hours. At this point, on the morning after, I remind myself of that old saying "ready, fire, aim." Anyway, this will be a Spanish/English group of about 25-30 parents

Re: Apologies

Don slaps Mikes hand with his talking stick! >>> Mike Bell 03/03/00 01:23PM >>> Dear Folks: I guess I violated protocol in sending out a lengthy file over the listserv--before asking permission first. Sorry about that. Didn't understand the protocol. I do now. I won't do it again. Mike

Re: Talking Stick

ceremonies. >>> Murli Nagasundaram 03/01/00 11:33AM >>> Don, what is the origin of the rain stick? Thanks. Murli At 10:14 AM 3/1/00 -0800, you wrote: >Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2000 10:14:58 -0800 >Reply-To: OSLIST >Sender: OSLIST >From: Don Ferretti >Subj

Re: Talking Stick

. I've used one particular rain stick for several different events. The stick is taking on some meaning in its own right. Very cool to think of all the hands that have passed it around the circle......./Don Ferretti

Re: Creating a circle

What a great idea. I really like the image I got of people working together to size up that circle. I'll use this someday!/Don >>> Peg Holman 01/19/00 09:25AM >>> To the Open Space listserv, I thought you might enjoy this idea from Rich Henry and Peter Donaldson who opened one of the commun

The Circle

The circle is intimidating at first but soon becomes my secret friend. Beckoning me back to more heart felt times calling me to Be who I really am.

Re: open space technology training

When will OST training be coming to California? Don Ferretti

Re: Visit the new World-wide Open Space web site

I think we could all agree that systems eventually organize around what has meaning to the system. Since there is no "Self" involved. Don't we actually have spontaneously organizing systems? _

Re: Musings on the Law of Two Feet

ery person in the room. It is hard to believe there is no reason to blame or judge. I love that One Law. It raises the stakes instantly. I use it in my daily life whenever I can. Thank you Harrison Owen for that gift. Don Ferretti

genesis of applause

I was asked this question and do not know the answer. Does anyone know the history of applause? Where did that start and what was the original intent of putting ones hands together and clapping. Has it always been to show appreciation or are there other meanings? Don

Re: Needs assessment query

I can recommend Vic Ortiz at Gelinas James, Inc vicor...@earthlink.net __ Reply Separator _ Subject: Needs assessment query Author: OSLIST at internet Date:5/24/99 9:40 PM Dear friends and colleagues, I have a good fr

Re: Replying to messages

Jeff, Just wanted you to know I heard you. I will delete the text of the message I am responding to. Don

Re: Electronically linked open spaces

address I have for him is mich...@changeartist.com Don Ferretti

Re[2]: Open Space Facilitators

This reminds me of that saying: "For your information let me ask you a few questions".

talking stick to rain stick

isten with respect. When you are done with it, place it someplace respectfully. The facilitator holds the space while this is going on. The talking stick is useful at the evening news and at the closing. How about the rain stick. Where did that come from, and how is it used? Don Ferretti

Talking Stick

A conversation for anyone interested in responding. I would appreciate knowing: What is the origin of the "talking stick?" How have people used it in a Open Space meetings? Don Ferretti __ Reply Separator _

Re[2]: A case for training

Who was it that said teaching is learning twice? __ Reply Separator _ Subject: Re: A case for training Author: OSLIST at internet Date:1/28/99 6:00 PM

Re[2]: More Open Space

__ Subject: Re: More Open Space Author: OSLIST at internet Date:1/22/99 12:17 PM > Hello everyone, > > This is Don Ferretti. I asked a question of the list about using open > space for strategic planning. Well, the group wants to do this in open &

More Open Space

__ Reply Separator _ Hello everyone, This is Don Ferretti. I asked a question of the list about using open space for strategic planning. Well, the group wants to do this in open space. Just thought I would report back

Re[3]: Process question

The other thing is that I've been treating this list sort of like a cyber open space so if I'm off track there I guess I'll find out. I wish there were an interactive real time cyber open space. Reaching 50 kicked me into another learning mode.

Re[2]: Process question

t when I'm with groups of people. Thanks for the response.../Don Ferretti __ Reply Separator _

Process question

e the use of dots, /or developing criterion and probably 100 other ways. Or, there may be an issue that just pops up without any process. But has anyone ever used a metaphor as a pathway to prioritizing. What images did you use besides a house or building of some kind? Thanks. Don Fer

Thank you

I would really like to do is be able to convince everyone in the system to read Leadership and the New Science and Expanding our Now. Then open the space and let'er ride! Geez I bet that would be an awesome experience. Thanks again..../Don Ferretti __ Reply Separator _

Re[2]: Calling the Circle

I don't know this from personal experience. What would be a theme, or focus question for an open space that might allow all those strategic plan elements to surface? Any experience in using OST for strategic planning? This is meant to be a generative question. No lectures please. Don Fer

Re[2]: Calling the Circle

Chris, I really appreciate your question on the suspension of a desired outcome because I deal with it all the time now that I know about OS and Dialogue. I'm just wondering if some of the answer doesn't lay in sort of a Zen attitude. How can the eye see itself without the aid of a mirror. Or the

Re[2]: Calling the Circle

What is the quote? __ Reply Separator _ Subject: Re: Calling the Circle Author: OSLIST at internet Date:1/4/99 11:10 AM In a message dated 1/3/99 9:27:09 PM Pacific Standard Time, jdi...@ourfuture.com writes: << One of my favori