Open Space YouTube invitation

Michael Wood via OSList <oslist@lists.openspacetech.org>	07:36 (Duela 4 ordu)
hartzaileak: Michael

I am facilitating an Open Space soon for the Anglican Diocese of Perth soon. One of the sponsors made a two minute youtube invitation to accompany the written invitation which was being emailed. I think it’s really good and thought I’s share it with you. If the OSLIST  mucks up the formatting for the youtube clip, please email me and I’ll be happy to send you the link by email. Michael Wood, Perth, Western Australia.

 https://youtu.be/V-AE5Bh67Aw

@Eleder_BuM

Movies that illustrate self-organisation

Michael Wood on the OSLIST (July 2014)

Last night I watched a film called The Dallas Buyers Club. It won a couple of Academy Awards last year. It tells the story from the mid 1980s about how groups of people living with AIDS self organised themselves to source and experiment with various 'unauthorised' treatments. This fringe work ultimately shaped more mainstream treatments. Over breakfast this morning I was thinking about it some more and thinking what a powerful example it was of a self-organising system. There was a complex/wicked problem, a few people stepped forward combining passion and responsibility and invited other people to join them.

Then I started wondering what other movies give such good illustrations of the power of self organisation. When we try to tell others about the self-organising principles of OST it is usually easiest to tell stories and movies are a form of story telling.

I accept that if we live in a self-organising world then all movies will illustrate self-organisation in some way. However, I suspect that some films illustrate it more clearly than others. What movie would you point to as vividly illustrating the power of self-organisation, and why?

**************

The Dallas Buyers Club

Harrison Owen walking the circle

The day before Wosonos2013 starts, Christy Lee-Engel shares a great gift on the Oslist.
Harrison walking the circle, Connecting for Community Day 3, April 2013 from christy lee-engel on Vimeo.

Some days later, Harrison wrote those interesting words about the dance on the OsList:

Christy – You caught me! What did I learn?  (“But, wait - you didn't say: what did you learn??”)

– Well I guess it was more re-learn, or better… remember. It was all about the dance. There is a dance in our opening moments, and I rather suspect it may communicate more than whatever words may be spoken. It is a simple but elegant dance beginning with a full slow sweep of the circle, a cut to the center, followed by random crossings of the circle, and ending at rest somewhere between the center and the edge. Early on, there was no conscious intent on my part to do or create a dance, it just seemed to happen as a natural expression of my relationship to the circle and the people who create it. In truth it took more than a few years before I even realized that it was a dance, repeated at every opening – and even more years until its primal forms and meanings became apparent to me. The interesting thing to me is that as I have watched my friends and colleagues over the years, seems like we all do pretty much the same things, which speaks, I think to the natural and emergent quality. At some level it is without intention. It is simply called forth as an organic expression of the moment, and our (as facilitators) place in that moment.

Interpreting a dance is always a dangerous thing, but in this case the forms are so archetypical and manifest that it seems less about interpretation than a naming of the obvious. Part I (The circle sweep) is perhaps the oldest shamanic act going, which travels under various names, but is often called “bounding the circle.” It is all about defining and claiming a safe space. In West African bush villages the shamans actually bound the whole village with a vine rope that they weave in the night and encircle the village. Nobody sees them, but in the morning the villagers arise to see the village defined. It is always interesting to see what is “inside” and what is excluded – so it is often the case that the school house (a western/modern addition) is often on the “outs.” What is safe, and what is questionable? Who, what, where are WE?

Part II (Cut to the Center) takes a little more explanation. I have always thought of it as a ritual re-enactment of The Hero’s Journey. Joseph Campbell, whose epic works on global mythology re-introduced the power of myth to the modern world, wrote a book of the same name. In the book he argues that all major traditions have a common theme story which he calls, The Hero’s Journey. In it a common man rises up one morning and departs on a far journey through many dangerous places and situations. He is essentially transformed by the experience and his common consciousness is expanded in ways he could never have imagined. But he is not a hero yet – not until he returns to his fellows and shares his expanded insight with his fellows(offers a boon). Think: Jesus in the wilderness, Moses in the desert, etc.  If Campbell is right, and I think he is, this story is part of the tradition and consciousness of virtually all the peoples of the earth. In short it doesn’t have to be told again (but that is always nice) – it is part of who and what we are. Now back to Open Space and The Cut to the Center.

                The physical open space in the center of the circle we create is a dangerous place. Even worse, it is pure Chaos. Nobody goes there willingly. Who knows, there might be dragons! Sounds a little weird and far out, I guess, but the next time you have an opportunity watch how the people (participants) treat that space, particularly if it is a large group, with a large circle, and a LOT of space. People will walk all the way around it rather than crossing. And if they do cross, they often do it in pairs (safety, you know). Watch how they treat the edge of the circle. They will come right up to it, and then back away. No sane person would willingly go to the center of such a circle! You can prove this to yourself just by remembering the first time you ever facilitated an Open Space. OMG!

                So the Cut to the Center is a journey to hell – and guess what? The Facilitator survives! At this point, the circle has been bounded and the space claimed – but the story is not over. The boon (gift) has yet to be given. We come to Part III – Random Crossings.

From the center of the circle, the facilitator moves to the edges in a random pattern, making contact with the people on the edge and then crossing again to make contact with others on the opposite side. Back and forth, back and forth – weaving a pattern of meaning and safety. Trails in the desert wilderness, so to speak.

And then it is over. The facilitator moves to a resting position part way between the center and the edge – and invites the people to come (with their issues). Under usual circumstances (read just about every time) – the people show up with alacrity, “following the trails in the desert.”  And the Hero (facilitator) essentially disappears. The boon has been given and the people have claimed it as their own. Time for a nap!

Oh yes, a few words have been spoken, but I really think the dance says it all.

So that is my story, and doubtless more than you anticipated, Christy. Who knows if it is true, but it works for me. And if it works for you – consider it yours.

Harrison 

"...Getting to watch Harrison Owen open the space on the last day of the Connecting for Community gathering in Cincinnati was a treat, and a kind of master class." Christy Lee-Engel

Dear Open Spaceniks,

On the eve of the lush and delightful-sounding Florida WOsonOs, below is the link to a video I took on my phone of Harrison walking the opening circle of the last day of a different lively gathering, which was called "Connecting for Community" and took place in Cincinnati a few weeks ago. 

"We work together sharpening our tools, learning, challenging and encouraging each other, and in the diversity of our backgrounds, creating our own community. It is inspiring and invigorating work for each and every participant. At Connecting for Community we find our own voice weaving with the experience and grace of other creating a whole fabric of relationships that goes with us out into our own communities to continue our work changing the world."

Here's the link: https://vimeo.com/65488850
Although it's rough, I think it's still fun to watch at least a moment or two of what it looks like to walk that opening circle with more than 25 years of it in your bones. It is also pretty great to see how people leaped up to write their sessions, as soon as he invited us to!

(please note - I've found that the echo-y sound is best understood if you can listen through earphones ;-))

Sending warm wishes for a rich and deep and surprising time to everyone at the international WOSonOs, and to the rest of us, too!

love from Seattle, Christy

Christy Lee-Engel, ND, EAMP

Director, Center for Spirituality, Science and Medicine

Bastyr University

Acupuncture and Naturopathic Medicine practice: Core Chiropractic and Wellness
206.708.7172

We're all just walking each other home - Ram Dass

May we on a few days get to watch Suzanne Daigle walking the circle on the virtual space of Wosonos2013 in Florida? http://wosonos2013.crowdvine.com/pages/virtual_space …

@Eleder_BuM
www.burumapak.blogspot.com (Basque)  www.in-fluyendo.blogspot.com (Sp.) www.flowandshow.blogspot.com (En)
http://www.bilbohiria.com/gaika/berbaz (radio interviews)

DRAW YOUR FUTURE, talk by Patti Dobrowolski

A nationally acclaimed comic performer, high-performance business consultant, speaker, strategic illustrator and newly minted author, Patti Dobrowolski spends her time focused on new neuroscience discoveries that leverage the power of imagination and visuals to actualize a vision of the future. Dobrowolski works with teams and leaders of Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits around the world to inspire them to create new and different strategies while literally capturing the organization's vision in a 4' x 8' illustration. 

Briefing: 

Maya Angelou: "a solitary fantasy can transform a million realities."

What dream or vision do you want to turn into reality?

I just know there´s more. You know it because you feel it. You lie awake at night. you talk about your dreams,... but more often than not, you continue with the same behaviour... You ask yourself: "How can I maek it happen?"

Research shows: just 1/10 success to change, even if facing a life threatening illness.

But you can lead the life you desire.Three steps

1. See it ---> Draw it as compelling as possible
2. Believe it
3. Act on it: graciously ask and train your brain to actually execute your vision. 

Examples of pictures´power
Example of company vision (graphic facilitation): Roche pharmaq

Draw your current state and your desired new reality. Joe´s example.

Just three steps can transform one reality: yours.

Enjoy life!

Eleder BuM31    Mind Mapping-Open Space Technology-Creativity

@Eleder_BuM (Twitter) www.flowandshow.blogspot.com
www.burumapak.blogspot.com (eus)

www.in-fluyendo.blogspot.com (esp) 

http://bm31-liburuak.blogspot.com     

www.bilbohiria.com/gaika/berbaz (radio interviews) 

DEVOTED & DISGRUNTLED 7: Open Space, 25-27 Feb: "What are we going to do about theatre and the performing arts?"

Do you love theatre?
Do you find it frustrating?
Do you wish it were different?
Do you feel like an outsider in your own profession?
Have you just started out and need support?
Have you been in the profession for years and feel jaded?
Is your sector always left out of the discussions?
Do you usually dread discussions and meetings?
Are you looking for a sense of: community, eldership, mentorship?
Are you looking to change things?

DEVOTED AND DISGRUNTLED 7
What are we going to do about theatre?

“The annual Devoted and Disgruntled open space….keep the dates free; it’s the most energizing event in the theatre calendar.”
Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

This February will see the 7th Devoted and Disgruntled annual event.
D&D was born out of an invitation I made back in January 2005 because I was frustrated with the theatre world I worked in not being all that great at communicating with itself. I wanted to improve that, to find new ways for us to connect to each other and bring about change.

Now, 7 years on, in these times of economic scarcity it is more important to me than ever to maintain a space that is open for possibility and optimism, a space which engenders a depth of discussion and creativity other events don’t give. D&D is not just about debate, it’s about authentic conversations: a place where we can be surprised by as yet unimagined solutions, relationships and creative collaborations. D&D provides a genuine opportunity to follow impulses, find support, gain new insights, share knowledge, make things happen.

I want to invite the people who have never been before, the people that come every year, the people that keep on meaning to come and never quite manage it, the people that came once and thought that was that, the people that have come to one of our D&D Satellite events and never been to the big annual one.

Improbable will again open and hold the space for this event but it isn’t our event. D&D belongs to the people that turn up, to the community that has grown over the last 7 years and continues to grow.

D&D is not designed for any particular sector of the theatre community, simply for those who choose to turn up. It’s your event, open to anyone. So this year I’m inviting you to make an invitation and to publish it here.

Let me know, and let other people know:-
Why you come to D&D?
Why somebody else should come to D&D?
Why D&D is important to you and important for theatre?

Publish your invitation, and check back to read the invitations others have written:
http://dandd7.tumblr.com/

See you there,

Phelim

Phelim McDermott
Co-Artistic Director, Improbable
Please distribute this invite and the information below to practitioners, colleagues and anyone else who you think might be interested.

---

DEVOTED AND DISGRUNTLED 7
What are we going to do about theatre and the performing arts?

Facilitated by Phelim McDermott
A 3 day event.
25th+26th February 2011, 10am – 7pm
27th February 2011, 10am – 2pm
York Hall, Bethnal Green, Old Ford Road, E2 9PJ

Open Space has been used successfully all over the world. It is an exciting open-ended event that enables a self-organising group to use its collective imagination to deal with complex issues and it will achieve this in an incredibly short space of time. By the end of the event the following will have occurred:

Every issue of concern to anybody will have been raised, if they took responsibility for doing that. All issues will have received full discussion, to the extent desired. A full report of issues and discussions will be in the hands of all participants. And YOU will have taken part in making it happen.

ACCESS

Improbable are committed to ensuring that Devoted and Disgruntled 7 is a democratic and accessible event so please contact the Improbable office to discuss your access requirements.

Voice: 020 7240 4556
Email: office@improbable.co.uk
SMS: 07939 378607
Devoted and Disgruntled 7 is wheel chair accessible. We are offering sign language interpreters. Our information is available in a range of formats. Assistance dogs are welcome

TICKETS

We ask all participants to commit to the Saturday and Sunday. We do hope that you will return for the Monday morning but understand that the beginnings of weeks bring new commitments.

£20, £15 concession (student, unwaged, over 60). All support workers / access assistants are free.
Group discount: five tickets for the price of four. A group of five gets five tickets for £80.
(All proceeds are to cover direct costs of this event including the hire of the space, refreshments and equipment hires.)

ONLINE BOOKING:
http://devotedanddisgruntled7.eventbrite.com
You can pay via Paypal, Google Checkout or Cheque.
Full ticket options and payment methods are available via the above link.

If you experience any difficulties booking online then please email on: devotedanddisgruntled@improbable.co.uk or call on 020 7240 4556

Tickets will be offered on a first come first served basis so please book early to ensure your place. We regret that we will be unable to offer a refund if you are unable to attend.

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Eleder BuM31    Mind Mapping-Open Space Technology-Creativity

 

www.burumapak.blogspot.com (eus)    
 
@Eleder_BuM  (Twitter)

www.in-fluyendo.blogspot.com (esp) 


www.flowandshow.blogspot.com

http://bm31-liburuak.blogspot.com  

http://www.bilbohiria.com/gaika/berbaz (radio interviews)




 

Eric Berlow: How complexity leads to simplicity

A good recommendation,I guess, from a new acquaintance. Thanks @eukenebarrenetxea :-)!

Enjoy life!

Eleder

BM31_Bilbao: Mind Mapping-Open Space Technology-Creativity

www.burumapak.blogspot.com (Basque)
www.flowandshow.blogspot.com

Twitter: @Eleder_BM

EARTHLING CRAZY (recycled) CRAYONS, did you know them?

Thanks to a tweet by Michael Bungay Stanier (@boxofcrayons) I knew a bit about these crayons and the story behind them.

I also became curious about the idea supporting all this, http://www.dailygrommet.com. They say: "we are an online marketplace where you can discover and buy inventive, new products and learn their true stories".

Good k-news to have on a great Monday Morning!

Enjoy life ;-)!

Eleder
BM31_ BILBAO: Mind Mapping-Open Space Technology-Creativity

• www.burumapak.blogspot.com
• www.bm31-liburuak.blogspot.com
• www.in-fluyendo.blogspot.com (ESP.)

Twitter: @Eleder_BM

OPEN SPACE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Open Space Pathways Towards Rebalancing Our Sustainability Equation from Kevin Flanagan on Vimeo.

Eleder
BM31_ BILBAO: Mind Mapping-Open Space Technology-Creativity

• www.burumapak.blogspot.com
• www.bm31-liburuak.blogspot.com
• www.in-fluyendo.blogspot.com (ESP.)

Twitter: @Eleder_BM