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OSI Vol. 1 No.
Published by the Steering Committee - Open Space Institute of Hello to everyone on the OSI Canada extended mailing list! This is our first edition, the first, we hope of many. All who have taken Open Space training, those who have ordered Harrison Owen’s books, and likely a few friends of the above comprise the 250 people or so to whom this newsletter is going. The birth of the Open Space Institute of Canada was officially recognized
and celebrated on Birgitt Bolton and Larry Peterson led a preliminary two-day Open Space workshop on the challenges and opportunities for ongoing Open Space processes on March 28 and 29 which generated 11 reports, paving the way for OSI Canada’s first official meeting the following day, when ten group discussions provided input for its future growth. A Steering Committee including Larry Peterson, Elizabeth Ann Coates, Joan
De New, Donna Nelham, Estelle Vincent-Fleurs and Birgitt Bolton was formed to
start the follow-up process. At its May 7 meeting in Inside A further meeting was held in Ancaster on June 25. Investigations were begun to host a three-day event to identify existing research on Open Space and to focus on new research possibilities. The Steering Committee met again the night before the August seminar, and finalized plans for the February research Open Space advertised elsewhere in the newsletter. The next meeting of the Steering Committee will take place November 21 in Joan De New Greetings from Harrison Himself Sitting as a desk is not my favourite occupation, although it seems to be a constant reality. What makes it worthwhile is the traffic passing by from odd spaces and places. For example, last week there was a cheerful note from a business school professor which opened with a complaint about our computer system having charged him double for some books. But his conclusion was enough to make my day. Apparently he tried a little Open Space with 40-odd of his graduate students on their final gathering billed as a “Career Day”. According to this professor, the group unanimously proclaimed the Open Space Day to have been the “most valuable of their academic career”. The significance of the professor’s remarks and the students’ experience should not be over-played, but neither should it be ignored. Open Space creates opportunities that many people have simply given up hoping for. And those of us who create space have the unique opportunity of sharing their wonder. We also have a responsibility, I believe, to make Open Space available to anybody who could use it. Obviously it is not the only thing, and for some people it is the wrong thing, but where it fits wonder tends to show up as a constant companion. So. Congratulations to you all on this the inaugural edition of your newsletter. If it builds the experience and shares the wonder, as I am sure it will, no further justification is required. Good Luck! Harrison Owen Harrison Owen Books 15 Delisle Ave., Spirit All books are $25 each. Good news! Open Space summer reveals new
possibilities Ed Roberts, My 1996 summer Open Space experience included: 1) Introduction to
Open Space at the ACCORD 1996 Conference, Organization Renewal: Exploring
Spirit at Work at Glen Cross Training and Conference Centre, The ACCORD conference opened late Thursday afternoon. Some 130 participants gathered to hear Harrison Owen take us on a Journey to Wholeness: Growing our NOW. Our journey was enhanced by the piano accompaniment of Michael Jones whose music also began each day of the conference. This set the spiritual mood for the next three days. On Friday, Symposium Day, we heard from a group of excellent presenters who catered a variety of topics relating to the conference’s theme: Organization renewal: Exploring Spirit at Work. Saturday and Sunday were spent in Open Space exploring “Spirit at
Work”. This afforded an opportunity to bring together the Symposium Day
presenters and participants to exchange ideas, experiences and insights which
explored A newcomer to Open Space, I was impressed with the overall process,
specifically the flexible agenda format; the willingness of participants to
take responsibility to put forward and take responsibility for their
respective passions, ideas and concerns; and the free flowing discussions
that took place in the small group break-out sessions. Although the interest
level, energy and spirit generated at that particular conference was
impressive, it would not likely be sustainable much beyond the conference
once participants returned to their daily work environment since there were
no critical or urgent problems that needed to be addressed. The information
disseminated, however, was most valuable and several of the many ideas put
forward could be the basis for future research and conferences. Next on my Open Space odyssey was the Open Space training at After the workshop, I spent a few days camping in By the time I got to Throughout these many experiences over the summer, I was taken by the simplicity of the Open Space format and process. The ease in which many of us who throughout our careers have become conditioned to somewhat rigid, uninspiring and creatively stifling meeting formats quickly adapted to the free-flowing, spontaneous and flexible format of Open Space. Upon reflection, several things struck me as possible outcomes from an Open Space experience: • team building yet
respecting individual contribution The benefits of Open Space are immeasurable: however, to maximize these benefits, the sponsors must not try to control or force an agenda. They must be seriously and sincerely committed to a process of ongoing individual and team participation beyond the Open Space workshop, thereby capitalizing on the energy and spirit that has been generated. Ed Roberts List of Trained Open Space Facilitators Grows Eleanor Belfry-Lyttle 613-384-5465 Your name is not on this list? There is a simple solution: send you annual
membership fee of $35 for individuals to Larry Peterson, Invitation to contribute to OSI Canada News This is the first issue of our newsletter. Feedback would be welcome. How
do you like the colour? Type face? Print size? Any suggestions for a really
catchy name for our new publication? Or a nice logo design? Are there any
talented cartoonists in Open Space circles? Do you have an article that could
be shared in the next issue? Send all comments and/or contributions to Joan
De New at Communication Headquarters.
Building Connections: Meeting of the Open Space Institute, Single copies are available on request to OSI members free of charge: otherwise, a $3 per document copying and mailing charge applies. Order by mail, phone, FAX or e-mail from Larry Peterson.
In early 1995, the new Risk Management Unit of the Royal Bank took a risk: they planned a meeting for senior management with little pre-arranged agenda. The task was to engage senior managers from around the world in developing strategic directions for the next three years. After the Executive Vice-President set the context, an agenda was created in less than an hour. In the next day and a half, the managers proceeded to explore the challenges and opportunities facing Risk Management. It was the managers’ passions, not those of the EVP, that determined the spirit and content of those discussions. They led the discussions, produced the reports and determined the priorities. The EVP believes that the meeting was highly successful. Ten agenda and the written reports give a clear picture of the concerns and commitments of the managers. A clear shared focus for the Unit emerged. This has been visible in the subsequent meetings. Elements of the strategic plan were clarified. Strategies for improvement were identified and priorities clearly established with plans to achieve them. All of this came from a meeting with no agenda and where everyone began by sitting in a large circle. Canadian business and organizational executives are now discovering that
by opening up space for creative leadership, the learning and inspiration
critical to sustained high performance emerges. In today’s competitive
global environment, businesses need to create the conditions for human spirit
and team spirit to emerge and soar. Before its meeting, the Royal Bank had “re-engineered”, developing clearer goals and new structures. The Risk Management Unit was one of the new structures, pulled together from a number of others. The EVP knew that a well-rationalized structure and direction would not be enough. Without openness for initiative and creativity, the restructuring would fall flat. He said, “the structure has changed, but some people still act as if we are in an old structure and approach.” In an Open Space meeting, you realize very quickly that you are not in the old structure any more and that you have a role to play in creating the new. Not everyone in Risk Management liked the openness. Most did, however. New people felt free to speak up. Others were amazed at how quickly they came to some solutions with less wrangling than usual. Some noticed the enthusiasm in the reports and were surprised that chaos worked. The real complexity of the task was demonstrated. Yet there was a sense of commonality and connection to the whole group and the future of the Unit. The priorities that were recommended became critical components of the strategic directions for the next three years. P.S. Risk Management has already achieved most of its first 3-year plan.
It is beginning to look toward the next. Open Space made a substantial
contribution to this success.
Doing, Sharing & OPEN SPACE Thursday, February 20, Clarion Essex Park Hotel “Let us demonstrate the efficacy that we know in our hearts” More people and organizations are Opening Spaces. We are learning valuable lessons about what happens both during and after an Open Space event. We see powerful changes in individuals and in organizational spirit and performance. We are aware of some research - at a large We want to share and stimulate research, ;earning and publishing on Open Space. Join us if you can! If you cannot attend in person, please send us research, evaluation or articles. Registration: $40 to $200 Cdn ($30-$150 US). You decide what is
appropriate for you to pay. Registration deadline: Meals and lodging are your responsibility. We recommend the Registrar: Joan De New Doing, Sharing and Publishing Registration Form Name____________________________ Org._____________________________ Title_____________________________ Address__________________________ _________________________________ Phone____________Fax____________ e-mail___________________________ Please make your cheque payable to: _____ My cheque is in the mail. _____ I have enclosed a cheque. _____ Amount ($40 - $200) Ground travel information available |
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