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OPEN SPACE RESOURCES

Open Space is a major aspect of my work.  Making it available to others is part of that practice.  Here are some resources that I use.

 

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What is Open Space?
It is a philosophy, practice and process that enables groups of any size to come together around complex, important issues and accomplish something meaningful.

What is Open Space Technology?
This short description is what Harrison Owen, creator of Open Space Technology, has to say.

Another great description is written by friend and colleague, Michael Herman:
Open Space Technology: An Executive Summary



Open Space Technology
Here is one page, with pictures and a few references.

 

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Tools for Opening Space

Before an Event
     Checklist of things to think about

     Sample invitations
       Community  -  Women in Leadership for a Better World
       Business  -  U S WEST Quality Organization
         
     What to look for in choosing a space

     Budget items for an event
       

Day of the Event 
     Checklist for the day
     
     Opening a space (an outline)

     Convener Responsibilities

     Ideas for closing an Open Space event
     

After the Event
 
Sample proceedings
       Community - Women in Leadership for a Better World
       Business - Journalism that Matters


      Tools for Opening Space
        Tools to make life easier for every Open Space Practitioner

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Stories and Other Useful Items

Doing an Open Space event - 2 page primer
Sometimes the best action after an open space is to do another one!  Here's a "quick reference guide"
  
Good Work for 2,000 Colombian Street Kids
Actually, about 2,100 people participated for two days.  This story is told from the point of view of an Open Space practitioner in service to others who might be contemplating a large OS event.

AT&T designs a pavilion for the Olympics in record time 
Open Space at it's most practical -- tangible results to a seemingly unsolvable problem achieved in record time.

Washington State Arts Commission's Strategic Plan: A Conversation about the Arts
Involve 1,000+ people in creating a strategic plan for a government agency and actually have a successful result!?  Yup.

Journalism that Matters
Newspaper editors from all over North America gather for a "newsroom summit" on the future of journalism.


  Stay tuned for more stories...

  

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Open Space Institute (US)
The Open Space Institute (US), along with other OSIs in the world, holds the space for open space.  It is dedicated to:
    *    Mutual support and connection
    *    Mentoring and being mentored
    *    Learning and Research
It was created to grow the common experience of open space: that inspired behavior can be an everyday experience and that humanity is limited only by its perceptions of the possible. 

 

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Open Space listserv
Join this community of practitioners to ask questions, tell stories and generally increase our collective understanding of Open Space.

 

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World Wide Open Space Web Site
This site has a wealth of resources on Open Space.

 

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Open Space World Map
OS has been used in more than 120 countries.  Here's the picture and some information on practitioners around the world.

 

 

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