Comments on: Open Space Guide

By: The Summer of Solutions Wants You! « It’s Getting Hot In Here

The Summer of Solutions Wants You! « It’s Getting Hot In Here — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:47:26 +0000

[...] be using the principles of Open Space organizing to empower participants to engage in creative action on their own terms, yet as vital members of [...]

By: JP

JP — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:10:03 +0000

I like the emphasis on flexible schedules and outcomes. When we ran Cascade Power Shift and everyone was asking what was coming out of it, I kept saying, “Come and decide that, I can’t say.” But at the same time I think it’s important to have some loose guidelines, maybe a handful of possible campaign ideas that can be shaped and formed by the participants.

Good work,
JP

By: kaibosworth

kaibosworth — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:15:54 +0000

Great post Morgan, I’m glad to see this in its near-final form.

“Open space technology realizes the potential in all people to make meaningful contributions. It breaks down distinctions between ordinary and extraordinary, between leader and follower, expert and layman. It doesn’t deny those realities, but rather creates the conditions where those identities step out of the rigid boxes they normally get stuck in.”

I think that the goals and purpose of Open Space Technology are absolutely essential to building a climate positive movement. We need understanding from everyone – many currently see global warming as a subject dominated by experts and hippies. Any effective response to climate change will need to grow much bigger than that, and Open Space Technology can help. We need change – and it needs to be fast, just, and effective. Our current hierarchical systems are incapable of handling it; ideas get watered down and stuck in bureaucracy. Some of that we can’t change immediately, but we can continue to develop our groups and ourselves as successful (and positive, fun-loving, happy!) activists through Open Space Technology.

By: Ellie J

Ellie J — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:36:41 +0000

I’m very excited to see this guide coming out. Open Space has the wonderful ability to empower people and generate unexpected and innovative outcomes.

**For those in the area, the North Carolina Student Climate Coalition will be hosting its 2nd open space this semester, at the SURGE Conference at Appalachian State University next weekend, March 29-30. http://www.surgenetwork.org/conference/

In the guide, I might also emphasize the importance of note taking in each breakout and providing the collective notes to everyone and anyone who may be interested afterwards. This has the potential to bring outside people into the discussions and can provide a way to digest the ideas and plans after the meeting has happened.