Betty Proctor & I (as “cocreators) are wishing to bring the gift of Open Space Technology to the Wild Goose 2023 festival in July. We hereby invite you to conspire with us to Open Space for Peace and equality beginning with a “Classic” opening of the space on the morning of the first day of the Wild Goose festival to introduce OST to this Wild Goose community. We think it’s a PERFECT union, rich with potential to stir a rhythm of blended rituals and conversations which will be certain to create an environment of imagining possibilities around the collective passion for Peace & Equality throughout the festival. . . like a drum circle . . . humming along with the rhythm and breath resulting in REAL ACTION lasting far beyond the closing of the festival.
Harrison Owen (Barry’s Father) “discovered” Open Space Technology nearly 40 years ago (1983) while enjoying a couple martinis and musing about how could he could design a truly transformative meeting methodology . . . when he purports to have stumbled upon a meeting format which wasn’t his to create because (as he tells the story) . . . Open Space has ALWAYS been FREE and quintessentially available.
Open Space ALWAYS “works”!
His discovery came during a time when HEAVY and EXPENSIVE “(OD) – Organizational Development Consulting prevailed as THE way to “fix” organizations.
Harrison knew there MUST be a better way, and he just happened to stumbled upon OST which has been in existence . . . FOREVER!
Open Space Technology has been in use literally in every circle in the Universe to remind us that we already know the “answers” right HERE where we are NOW amongst our membership (the right people).
The wisdom of this meeting method is Universal and blindingly simple.
Circle – The circle is the fundamental geometry of human communication – In Open Space meetings, we sit in a circle, and our circles often expand beyond boundaries we can even imagine.
Circles come alive with the rhythm of breath as participants quickly as the transformation from “I” to “WE” happens.
The community Bulletin Board creates a place for a marketplace which quick springs into the bustling energy of discovery as participants find commonalities and differences and find themselves learning and stretching their points of view.
Previously unimaginable possibilities emerge.
OST is especially useful when a group of people (Organizations) find themselves “in a pickle” and not aware they already have their solution to moving forward right amidst their own membership.
Most people and organizations facing large issues and/or opportunities seem to need to drag themselves through all stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) prior to NAMING the beast) at which point, there’s invariably a collective “OH! SHIT!”
What NOW?
I say: “Strike while the iron’s HOT!”
Open Space Technology doesn’t lose those sweet palpable early – visceral feelings by appointing committees and sub-committees for further examination of the problem. Begin with convening the Chief stakeholders to name the issue /opportunity by creating a “Theme” which is sure to inspire the whole population of Stakeholders (EVERYONE) with passion to swing into ACTION.
While the Theme is predetermined, this is only so participants can have a sense of the intended destination . . . . (Just as the Pilot confirms “this plane is heading to Chicago”).
Craft an INVITATION and disseminate it to the WHOLE Population . . . to anyone and everyone who might have passion to participate in discovering SOLUTIONS relative to the theme.
Open Space Technology has 5 Principles, 1″LAW” , and it’s fuel is passion and taking responsibility
Wherever it happens is the right place
Whoever comes is the right people
Whenever it starts is the right time
Whatever happens is the only way it could have
When it’s over, it’s over!
The Law of 2 feet: If at any time you find yourself in a place where you are neither contributing nor receiving anything of value, it is YOUR responsibility to use your 2 feet to take yourself to a place where you CAN contribute and/or receive value . . . be USEFUL!
ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO BE SURPRISED
The “Agenda” begins on a BLANK Bulletin Board- within 20 minutes of the beginning of the opening. That blank Bulletin Board will display MANY “Topics”(from 20ish-100ish) with designated, times places and the conveners.
This will be a classic Open Space Technology meeting with the Theme Opening Space for Peace and equality“.
This will be a complete meeting with all of the the same transformative potential as groups of 2-1000 participants
My “Ultimate Scenario” is to Open Space on each morning of the Festival, and close the space each evening. This would offer more people opportunities to experience the whole experience of an Open Space meeting and provide deeper reflection regarding “Opening Space for Peace and Quality”
An alternative is to Open the space on the first day of the Wild Goose Festival and leave the Space open for all days – Each day would end with “Evening News” and Begin with “Morning Announcements”
I will bring all of the materials – Paper for the Bulletin Board with paper, masking tape, magic markers
Would like to have space with a circle of chairs (or concentric chairs)
A microphone to amplify voices when announcing topics & etc