I’m struck today by the swirling currents of self-organizing showing themselves in interesting places.

At The World We Want, Phil Cubeta details an almost-two year lineage from the Giving Conference to the first and second omidyar.net members conferences in Chicago and inviting Karloff to cultivate 75 more local open-space events in conjunction with his book release.

The driving force is the one “on the ground” in the local community who finds the space, talks it up among a few key influencers, and talks them into finalizing the agenda and emailing it around. It may be that Open Space facilitators, like Chris Corrigan and Michael Herman, could be among the ring-leaders. Giving people the freedom and encouragement to make the meeting their own is critical if they are to “buy in.” The World We Want is one in which we are active citizens, not just spectators or guests, much less subordinates.

At the same time, Kaliya Hamlin gives us a step-by-step planning guide for Unconferences, a seemingly-new phenomenon where people are all-of-a-sudden discovering open space. She also says:

I also must say it is disturbing to see the Law of Two Feet decontextualized out of the context of Open Space Technology’s principles and practices. Open Space Technology and the face-to-face process to create the agenda has played a critical role in making the best unconferences so successful.

Kaliya’s at it again. In her post, Open Space does not mean Voting, she quite nicely shows what open space is all about, and how it could be used in places that are not at all traditional conferences, yet still not all they could be.

The event begins with face to face schedule making which allows for emerging developments in this rapidly moving field to be covered.

There’s a report from YABOU about a talk at BayCHI by Kaliya Hamlin about Unconferences. Here’s an excerpt:

Kaliya defined unconferences as lying between a conference with a structured agenda and a cocktail party – this is where unconferences live. She outlined the important elements of a successful unconference:

The invitation and how it is framed, the wiki where ideas and tentative plans can be posted, as well as a list of who will be there (it has been amazing to see the list grow for DCamp), and the welcoming on the actual day. Kaliya gave examples of having public sign-in lists, big, sometimes illustrated. Name-tags are essential because identity is essential. Activities that have worked in the past have included having attendees represented by their caricature, and having people bring or develop logo’s related to their work.

Inspiring explorations and offerings from the OSlist.

Thomas Herrmann shares:

Dear friends in Open Space
Yesterday I facilitated an OST where the age-difference between the oldest and youngest was 90 years! From 1-91, both of them were amonst the most active participants in this – my firsr ever planned out-door OS-meeting. In Sweden it is hard or almost impossible to predict that it will be warm enough and not raining – even during summertime. This time we had both in-&outdoor options and the weather came out perfect. One of the first really warm days this year – everybody enjoyed the different break-outs –
1. By the lake.
2. At the stone.
3. At the fireplace
4. By the tree
5. Behind the agenda wall
6. At the edge (of the lawn)
…
In the morning we built an agendawall with parts from an old greenhouse.
Other signs went into the trees. In the center we had 4 big stones/rocks.
The groups loved it and had a great time – of course. Such a joy.

and Marty Boroson continues:

Dear Thomas

What I like most about your email is the way you have identified and
described locations: nothing is “in” a location or room, only “near” it, or
“by” it or “at” it. And no room numbers! With this simple turn of phrase,
we are already thinking and meeting “out of the box”. And many of the
locations have a natural object, which serves as a touchstone, a wonderful
way both to ground the discussions and keep them fluid. It is also very
playful–suggesting children playing hide-and-seek.

Does this inspire any ideas in you?

title added 5/13/06 by Ted

Rob Paterson writes about The New Realities Forum, a meeting of over 300 delegates from all across the Public Radio system in the US, which occurred in Open Space over the weekend in Washington, DC. UK consultant Johnnie Moore opened the space.

Rob described the gathering’s purpose before it started:

Our intention – to find agreement on how we will go into the future together…

…The stakes are high. For many who will attend, the issue is much more than the survival and health of public radio but the survival of the last large media space in America that can be trusted. Some see the stakes as higher yet. They see the opportunity that public radio can expand its role from trusted news source to a space where the citizens of the nation can come together safely and solve the pressing problems that confront their communities….

And afterwards reported:

We have just completed 2 days of Open Space meetings with leaders of Public Radio in the US. I have been blown away, as have the delegates, with the power of this process to enable a rich and deep conversation.

…

What really made it for me though was how the conference concluded. Here I heard the public radio system declare as a body that it would start the hard work of setting aside petty differences and find a way to come together as a true system with a structure that would heal and help.

Imagine the real power of a real network of hundreds of stations and great producers such as NPR, MPR, APM and PRI all dedicated to help each other inform their communities, the nation and ultimately the world. Imagine this power dedicated to not only keeping the truth alive but also in creating the space where people can come together and find the trust, influence and safety to solve the intractable problems of our time such as why don’t our schools work, why are we not more healthy, why is there such a divide between cultures and communities…

Johnnie and Rob posted an excellent description of the Open Space process on the retreat forum site, where you can also find photos and session reports.

Michael Herman will be opening space on Tuesday at MeshForum, which runs May 7-9 in San Francisco.

From their invitation:

Networks form the basis of everything, from how your body works to who you know, from how power is distributed to how the store on the corner is kept stocked. Networks are in the news, from the elections to anti-terrorism, to investigations of financial markets and the Blackout in the US.

At MeshForum 2006, May 7-9 in San Francisco, we will explore Networks in depth. We will examine the critical role visualization and visual thinking plays in understanding and managing networks. Then we will look at very large scale social networks as a significant case study of Networks.

And from the weblog:

make your net work

In four short words [that] captures what MeshForum 2006 will be about.

It is about the tools needed to make your net work – visualizations, visual thinking, analysis techniques.

It is about what you have to think about to make your net work – the issues of scaling, what happens as things change, the impact of technologies.

It is about the power of a net – to create beauty, to entertain us.

Doug posted a really cool-looking invitation on his site. I can’t figure out how to display it here, so hop over to his place and check it out!

Below is an invitation to a sustainable living forum scheduled for May 6th in Belfast sent by OST facilitator Philip Rogers.

How Can I Live Sustainably?

On Saturday May 6th we will have the time and space to both ask answer this question in the company of others who are also interested and inspired by it. When we reflect on, and begin to understand, what sustainable living means we can act with more confidence to make a difference in our lives and in our communities.
This is an invitation for you to come and join in an Open Space event. Bring your passion, your ideas and your stories; to contribute, to listen, to learn, to be inspired – in an environment that is co-created on the day.

Saturday May 6th
South Bank Hall, Kimberley Drive
10 am -6pm

There is room for 40 people, please call Philip or Jane on 028 9020 3692 to register or email them on ganddltd@clara.co.uk. so we will know how many people are coming.
There is no charge for the day.
A vegetarian lunch can be provided for 5 GBP if you order it in advance.
Looking forward to seeing you there!

Came across an essay by Barbara Park: Identity Construction and Organizational Deconstruction Building a Personal Sense of Identity and Allowing Organizational Chaos as Adaptive Measures Toward KM in the Information Age. She pulls together some interesting research and thinking by Margaret Wheatley and others. Here’s an excerpt:

These are uncertain times in which rapid change is making many demands upon individuals and organizations. This essay demonstrates that in letting go of an identification with organization, individuals move toward a deeper sense of personal identity. The self awareness and acceptance of diversity that can accompany this shift is complementary to post-bureaucratic organizational structures. Increasingly, the value of chaos, the admission of loss of control, is recognized as a precursor to an organizational structure that fosters creativity. In priorizing a trusting and open way of interacting in which shared goals are the focus, organizations and their members trade security for creativity.

Michael Herman has updated his ongoing contemplation of the “practices of Open Space“, in preparation for the Open Space Leadership Practice Retreat that he and Chris Corrigan will be hosting next week, April 18-20, on Bowen Island, in British Columbia.

Michael describes these as the four practices of Open Space:

* Opening Heart:

…The key questions are about core issues, the heart of the matter, the center of the problem or situation, which is always me. What do I care about? What do I love?

* Inviting Connection

…As heart opens, I can invite connection with others. I dare to attract attention. And I have attention of my own to give…What might we be together?

* Supporting Collaboration

…How do we learn, move, live, and work together?

* Making a Difference

…Then, what is my responsibility here?…How will I ground this energy I have? How will I use it to make a difference for myself and others?

In our retreat next week, we’ll consider how we apply these practices as facilitators, participants and leaders, in meetings, conferences, organizations and communities.

The 2006 NCDD conference will take place in San Francisco, California August 4-6, with pre-conference trainings on Thursday, August 3rd. If you are dedicated to solving group and societal problems through honest talk, quality thinking and collaborative action, we invite you to join us at this innovative gathering. The conference will be held at the Renaissance Parc 55, a beautiful hotel in the heart of downtown San Francisco.

Founded in 2002, the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation is a vibrant network of over 500 organizations and individuals who, collectively, regularly engage and mobilize millions of people across the globe around today’s critical issues. NCDD’s national conferences and resource-rich website are crucial to the development of this emerging field of practice.

The Second World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace, will take place at Seville in Spain from 19 to 22 March 2006.

The sponsoring organization, Hommes de Parole, is an international humanitarian foundation devoted to bringing groups of people from areas in conflict to neutral territory and establishing conditions for dialogue and joint creation of a new future.

The First Congress held in Brussels on 3 to 6 January 2005 was an historical milestone in Jewish-Muslim dialogue. Israeli Open Space practitioner Avner Haramati was one of the professional facilitators for the first Congress.

The Second Congress will bring together once more 150 Imams and Rabbis, among the most influential Jewish and Muslim religious leaders in the world, together with the presence of number of Christians, education specialists, observers and experts, to focus on:

* Promoting encounter and dialogue between Jewish and Muslim religious leaders in order to build trust and confidence for developing common projects in seeking common good.
* Creating an opportunity for religious leaders to use their influence in conflict resolution in various regions of the world.
* Helping religious leaders to challenge fanatics who are misusing religion.
* Creating structures and initiatives to continue practical day-to-day work in the most needed areas.

The Second Congress will pursue the aims of the First Congress and will strive to :

* Enlarge the existing network of religious leaders who are committed in this endeavour especially to seek participation of prominent Imams from Arab and other Muslim countries. The Congress expects a large international media involvement in order to create a positive impact on both political leaders and the general public.
* Plan actions to be implemented in the field of education and especially peace education through dialogue and honest conversations with others.

The first day consists of presentations and discussions on specific topics, and the second and third days will be entirely in Open Space, facilitated by Harrison Owen, with Michael Pannwitz and his crew.

May there be abundant peace and life, for us and the whole household of Israel, and the whole household of Ismail.

Democracy’s Challenge forums encourage citizens to think about what they can do to strengthen the relationship that a democracy demands between the government and its people. The issue book presents three perspectives on the problem, each of which suggests a somewhat different course of action.

Right now you are invited to take advantage of a limited time offer for free materials to use for convening a Democracy’s Challenge forum. The free materials in each set include 1 copy of the full-length Democracy’s Challenge issue discussion guide, 30 copies of the 8-page issue discussion-guide-in-brief, 1 copy of the moderator’s guide, and 1 video.

If you think you want to get involved in NIF or in the Democracy’s Challenge issue, or you’d like to help us get the word out about this opportunity, we encourage you to:

– Order your free set of Democracy’s Challenge materials by calling 1-800-600-4060, or to download the moderator’s guide or issue brief.

– Connect with the NIF network contacts nearest you. These network hubs, listed at www.nifi.org/network/index.aspx, provide trainings and workshops, organize forums, and connect NIF folks in their region.

– Sign up to receive NIF e-newsletters and stay informed about network activities. Email Patty Dineen with your name, email address, and mailing address (or just city and state) and ask her to add you to the NIF News email list.

– Look up moderator trainings in your area.

– Download “For Convenors and Moderators: Organizing for Public Deliberation and Moderating a Forum”

– Tell others about this issue, and share this invitation to join the NIF network.

via Sandy Heierbacher on the OSLIST

This in today from Lise Damkjær in Copenhagen:

One of my best OS-experiences was this summer doing an 2-day Open space with thirty 15-17-year-old youngsters from Denmark and Letvia (so they had to do it in english to understand each other).

Their teachers had decided that the theme should be “Democracy and the fairytales of Hans Christian Andersen” (He was danish…)

The first morning we told the youngsters, that we expected them to host an open space with their parents as participantsin the next evening – and that we expected them to work out 4 small plays about democracy and the 4 chosen fairytales to inspire the open space.

And then we introduced open space – and they got to work! Lots of work!

In the evening the day after when the parents arrived the 4 plays were showed and 4 of the youngsters introduced open space and the space were open!

In a chat with one of the young OS-hosts I mentioned that the adults were a bit slow in getting started. This 15-year-old boy reflected: “I think they are having a hard time – being in the same learning as we were yesterday…”

WOW – with these youngsters we don’t need to wory about the future!

More stories about Opening Space for youth and education in the OpenSpaceWorld.NET Workspace.

From Together to One (the main site, in Deutsch, is here):

What On Earth Can We Do Together In 7 Days? May 6 – 12 in Jericho, Palestine

Imagine an open space where people come together to create a vision of future community:

* A 7 day experiment to explore possible blueprints for civic life.
* A chance to come up with new ideas and fresh approaches.
* An invitation to experts and lay people alike to work on many aspects of community life.
* An exploration of the different layers of community life such as: ecology, economy, education, health etc.
* An opportunity to see, feel and experience the power of deep connection.
* A chance to experience the self-organising principles of the Open Space Method.
* An opportunity to experience different cultures in one of the oldest cities on earth.

From May 3 – 4 local residents and visitors will work together to beautify the city of Jericho. This is a good opportunity for participants attending the Open Space Conference to get to know the city and the people of Jericho prior to the conference beginning.

The Open Space Conference “What On Earth Can We Do Together In 7 Days?” will run from May 6 – 9. Using Jericho as a template, we will come together to find solutions to improve the quality of community life. The information and insights gained during the conference can then be applied to other communities worldwide.

From May 10 – 11 we will put theory into practice. The plans and strategies developed during the conference will come alive. All the events planned from May 1 – 12 will benefit the comunity of Jericho and its people but there is the hope that what we create together could become a blueprint for other cities wishing to improve their civic life.

Together21 founder Susanne Triner invites world-wide participation:

The Together21 project is on it’s way. I joyfully walk my talk with an open heart, with humility and courage. Many years ago I felt a calling deep within that said: “you will be dancing on seven continents”. I could not fully understand what was meant by dancing. Now I know: it was the invitation to express life like a joyfull dance.

Will we dance life together? I am looking forward to meeting you.
Susanne Triner

Together21 (Together to One)
From Humanity to Human Unity
P.O.B. 448
CH – 3074 Muri bei Bern
Switzerland
Phone (CH) ++41 31 952 55 53
Mail: st at together21 dot org

From Catherine Pfaehler to the OSList:

I will be holding space for the Swiss Gay Community together with Florian Fischer April 7 – 9 in Vaumarcus, www.schwulegesundheit.ch or www.santegaie.ch. If you wish, also take a look at our most recent internet posting, www.open-space-konferenz.ch, where my friend Irena and I are offering a week-end for female managers. I am happy if you recommend the latter to women in management positions who speak German (or French or even English), if you know any of those.

John Engle and colleagues have created a program, called Circles of Change, in Haiti which incorporates Open Space and another method they refer to as Reflection Circles. Nice to see their success featured recently at Haiti Innovation, a new Washington DC-based nonprofit which was started by former Haiti Peace Corps volunteers:

In the midst of a national situation that is violent and chaotic, it is indeed refreshing and stimulating to see how Beyond Borders’ small but vibrant alternative to the authoritarian schooling and leadership is taking shape in Haiti.

—Claudette Werleigh, former Prime Minister of Haiti and Director of the Life & Peace Institute

Circles of Change is one of several Open Space Initiatives that invite and encourage your inquiry and support.

A conversation from the Open Space listserv illustrates the power of online communities like the OSlist.

Allison Hewlitt writes:

I just wanted to send a quick note of thanks for the responses that I received from my earlier email requesting advice on whether or not to introduce OS as part of a larger conference. Deep down, I realise that I knew the answer but simply needed to hear it from someone else. So, a big thank you for providing the reassurance and support that was needed.

I also believe, but can’t prove, that the responses increased my colleagues confidence in using OS for half of the conference. Having told my colleague’s about the request that I made to this community and the supportive responses that were received, a couple of colleagues asked to read them. I am quite certain that by hearing other perspectives, they are also getting some of the reassurance that they need to trust me and trust OS.

Chris Corrigan responds:

Alison, you have pointed to a major benefit of this community and other online communities that are supportive of each other. Last year, as I was planning an appreciative summit on Aboriginal youth suicide, I put out a call on my weblog for folks who might be interested in bouncing ideas around. The responses I got, which included ideas from India, Ireland, the UK, the States and elsewhere were a huge boost for my client who suddenly felt connected and cared for in a way they had not experienced before.

“You mean people in India are helping us do this???”

There is so much to be gained by sharing and asking for help…pay it forward!

Is there a project that you are working on or a question that keeps resurfacing in your awareness? The power of opening up, sharing, and asking for help is unlimited… go ahead, try it!

Michael Pannwitz and friends in Berlin continue to make good progress on their WorldMap of Open Space people and now associations.

All practitioners and practice groups are invited to add themselves to the list. Those looking for a facilitator or learning community will find it an easy way to locate good people.

What started as a simple list of countries where OS had been introduced and used is now growing into a truly global practice directory. Thanks to all who have helped with this!

Upcoming on March 21-22, 2006… A quite short gathering, starting at 1100 on Tuesday and finish at 1300 on Wednesday. At THE CHIFLEY at METROPOLE CONFERENCE CENTRE, 44 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Victoria. Overnight accommodation available at the venue.

PURPOSE: OPEN SPACE on OPEN SPACE is an opportunity for OST users and practitioners to explore and share experience, to learn from other practitioners, and to explore whatever matters and ideas participants see as important and relevant.

You are invited to come and share, especially relating to Open Space in Australia and New Zealand, knowing that others with experience will be present. Hosting the event will be Viv McWaters and Brian Bainbridge.

THIS IS YOUR INVITATION TO BE PRESENT. The charge will be utterly minimal, to cover lunch Tuesday and Wednesday, evening meal Tuesday, room hire, constant coffee/tea, and stationery.

SO, put the dates in your calendar, make the necessary airline bookings, set up accommodation arrangements, AND advise briansb(at)mira.net ASAP of your intention to be there.

A recent gathering of programmers who blend various applications in California used Open Space Technology for their MashUp Camp. The resulting story, published on CNET.com, is a great overview of how Open Space Technology works in the high tech and social software sectors, and shows how spontaneous Open Space sessions can be blended with pre-existing presentations.

Following on the recent story of Open Space at the RecentChangesCamp for wiki users, it is clear that OST is filling the need for social networking conference organizers who are looking for “unconferencing” formats whioch mimic the way social networks work online.

This just in from Andrew from : OSonOSinOZ
Being able to stand the complexity, the intensity, the discomfort and generally being happy with not-knowing takes some real effort.

How opening space spins out into more and more space opening: “Transforming Philanthropy”’ is an ongoing initiative that began with The Giving Conference in Chicago, a gathering conceived of by Phil Cubeta at GiftHub, Chris Corrigan and Michael Herman, which brought together philanthropists, weblog publishers, financial advisors, and community organizers. A core group then moved to the Omidyar Network and convened an O.net members summit. Some of the people at the first of those summits went on to organize Recent Changes Camp: Building Communities Worth Having!, in Portland, Oregon, which connected software technologists and community leaders and activists.

All of these summits have been 3-day meetings, attended by 40-120 people, and run completely in OpenSpace. At least three new conferences are now being planned for 2006.