In attendance were Karen J. Davis, Tricia Chirumbole, Suzanne Daigle, Linda Stevens, Harold Shinsato, and Kevin O'Brien.
Newly elected president, Tricia Chirumbole;
Harold Shinsato who continues to serve as treasurer;
Karen Davis as secretary;
Kevin O'Brien, vice president.
In attendance were Karen J. Davis, Harold Shinsato, and Tricia Chirumbole
- Peace and High Performance 2016
- OSI Purpose
- Replace President
- OS Definition/Description
Good news - a little over $2K surplus. One of the things in the future - looking more at what that means for us financially. What do we want to do with that?
The research piece is the really important one to regroup on. I like the idea of putting the money into that. For Karen. There was much more time and energy put in this year than in the past. I'm hoping in the future not to putting in as much effort. Liked that it is what the OSI is about.
Tricia - Great to hear that we made a profit. Like what I am hearing about potential ways to move forward with that. Proceeds from the event. Did you envision as something collectively held by the OSI? Is there other support you hope for in the future?
Karen - In terms of original - there were a couple of us who just felt it was important for people to get together to learn about Open Space. There was never the intent of making money. We lost money. And often what was happening, split it among Harrison and Debora Gilbert and Ralph Copelman. That was never more than a couple hundred. These last two years we have been making some. More people are able to pay. A place where people may not have another opportunity. There was a lot of underwriting of people participating. There was a shift in the financial side of it. In terms of the time and energy, our getting the registration up and in the way that it was clear and understood and not duplicating efforts. There is an effort to support people finding places to stay, working around people being here. That was taking a lot of energy in juggling. There are the decisions that need to be made in terms of the contract and the agreements with International House and the catering operations. There were new variables for a new vendor. And a new leadership in International House. When we may have the space next time. We have to wait until July or August to confirm the dates. International House has preferences. Hold the faith and hold the vision. We're beginning to work out - this being the second year in a collaborative way.
The technology added this year - to get information needed - had to go to 2-4 different places instead of it all being together.
Maybe engage some people in research. Paul Levy. He is associated with a University. There are definitely some other people interested.
In depth interviews. Various things with it. For whatever reasons - large clients. They're not really statistically sample sizes in the commercial or public sector for everything they do. Focus groups. Open Space. Innovation section. Iterative processes. More for integrating large numbers of stakeholders products. We'll do coding for meaning making. You code them and group them. And then summary statistics.
Larry Peterson - had to do with research. One of the earliest Doctoral Dissertations.
Possibly convene a conversation with people on the OSList. A research conversation.
Maybe have brochures available for Agile 2016
Karen - have some individual dialogs with other people on the board. Even have another look for when to commit to meet together to continue this conversation.
Conversation - kick off the open space hotline- invite the people to talk for 2-5 minutes. Ask a few key people. Michael Hermann started getting on. It's a good idea. It could even be monthly.
Sweet note from Marie Nelson. How much she valued coming on the hotline even if she hasn't been there.
Although Suzanne Daigle has wanted to step down as president, we did not feel we had sufficient attendance to address this.
Authority - don't think we should have the authority to define Open Space. We should find a way to co-create it with the community. Identify our purpose.
Doesn't have to be a convergent description.
Can be divergent.
A More Beautiful Question.
If we could include in the conversation - questioning the lower case "open space".
On the hotline - has the thing about purpose.
In attendance: Suzanne Daigle, Linda Stevens, Karen Davis, Kevin O'Brien, Daniel Mezick, Harold Shinsato
There was small attendance at the last meeting.
We did a dry run with Harrison Owen, Lucas Cioffe, and Michael Herman. Harrison didn't stay long. They were able to do a bit of online art together. Lucas and Michael have been charming to work with. It went smoothly and quickly, announcement went out. Suzanne has sent out personal invitations over the weekend. Anne Stadler got really involved. Lucas is really appreciative that we're able to test this. We are going to send a cheat sheet and a reminder. I've been getting lovely notes from around the world. There are some other people, put the International House event together. A little request, Lucas never brought any of this up. If we get 100 people, different times in the day. Can I help the OSI to help out. It's a big event. Well, if they'd like to give $50. We vote to send up to $200 expenses.
Susan Baskerfield - had a lengthy chat about Frederik Laloux's work. Suzanne suggested she just come to New York. Susan just wanted to know more about the housing. Suzanne spoke to a number of others. For registration information, she will wait until she get the registration page link. It will be Martin Luther King weekend as ususal.
This gets very complicated. International House needs to know each person in each room. Handling the logistics of that is a bit challenging. Suzanne is willing to take that on like she did last year. We don't have International House information on the invitation. Karen holds the full financial responsibility to provide support to anyone who has limited financial ability. Karen can use discounting and even making the event free at her discretion. Be sure you cover your costs. Karen's not doing that to make money. If we have more than 45 people, then we could shift to another space. Then it costs $3000 a day. We accidentally got access to that room one year. Those are issues that are up in the air.
Have a face to face after the International House event. Suzanne mentioned how exhausted we all were after the last event. We decided not to hold one.
Lucas offered QiqoChat for online Open Space events. We could use it for conversations with Anne Stadler, as Suzanne Daigle suggested for a "front porch chat" format. Regular occasions until we have qiqochat 24/7. That's part of Lucas' vision. If you have an annual meeting and use QiqoChat - it gives us an opportunity to use it.
Participants: Suzanne, Linda, Tricia
Note Taker: Linda
Bin Gardener: Suzanne
Moment of Silence and Check – in
Discussion Topics:
1. IRS and State of Washington Forms
The IRS sent (via Peggy) a form, and Suzanne contacted both the IRS and the State of Washington to assure that she was sending the right information needed to maintain our nonprofit status and sent back the form via registered mail.
2. January 2016 at International House – January 15th – 17th
International House for January 2016 is confirmed for High Performance and the Practice of Peace including rooms for lodging. Interested attendees are already showing up.
3. Informal discussions about a host of topics including OSI US, Hotline and hopes and dreams about Open Space in general.
Without the necessary quorum, no decisions were made.
Next Meeting: Monday, November 16, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. EST.
Participants: Harold, Tricia, Dan, Suzanne, Karen, Kevin
Bin Gardner: Harold
Note taker: Kevin
Moment of Silence and Check – in
Discussion Topics:
1. Amazon Affiliate status has earned the institute money off of nuts, herbs, and some non Open Space related book sales
2. OSI Chapters
- Agile Boston has had 9 or 10 Open Spaces since 2009
- Resolutely socializing Open Space around Boston
- No formal membership right now
- Could pay $700 to $2000/yr for chapter status back to OSI to make it official
- Agile user groups could be affiliated OSI
- Agile Boston could be the pilot chapter
- Mark Kilby in FL has also been using Open Space heavily in Agile group meetings
- The board is supportive of deepening the conversation around Chapters (or circles) on the agenda.
3. There is a desire to start planning International House 2016
- Suzanne has started inviting. Already has 4 people tentatively signed up.
- We don’t have the space confirmed yet at International House. Asked for Friday, Saturday, Sunday time slot.
- Harold would like to start the Eventbrite invitation now
4. Theory U and Open Space – Otto Sharmer work promotes concepts that blend well with Open Space. Many people who are taking his class are people that could find open space facilitation useful in it’s simplicity.
5. Gathering virtually with long term experienced Open Space practitioners to share wisdom with those who are seeking it. Conversations would be question oriented. Explore deeper ideas that we’re often too busy to deal with. Have a core group of people involved to handle the technical aspects. Imagine something like this could be happening once a month. Could fall into a regular pattern one a month or once every two months. Once other piece, is that we speak from listening for guidance. It is a way of opening to the whole field of spirit via conscious conversations.
Next Meeting: 19 October 2015
Participants: Karen,Tricia, Harold, Linda, Kevin, Suzanne, Daniel
Bin Gardner: Harold
Note taker: Suzanne
Moment of Silence and Check – in
Discussion Topics:
1. Harold describes the work he did in creating two pamphlet pieces one on OIS US and the other a resource on “how to Open Space”. He again asks the board to provide comments or suggestions (design, photos, language). To date only one board member responded. Those who have seen it agree that it is really well done, captures the nuance and intent of Open Space and OSI US. Harold looks forward to making it available to groups in the future; unfortunately it was not completed on time to be used at Agile Washington
2. Harold navigates the bin to move items completed in the “Done” Trello lane.
a. $250 gift for VOSonOS; sent to Lucas’s address
b. $250 for Poland WOSonOS
Harold will send a copy of the thank you notes received from each to the Board.
c. Open Space Learning Opportunities document that lists all training events for the time being will be posted on OSI US and Open Space World. To date, Harold has posted events that have the title Open Space training without any further criteria. It would require a longer conversation to really determine what fits as Open Space training as there have been instances where clearly it did not follow the intent of Open Space. Need to have conversations on “how” to Open Space, how does one learn to do this; would be helpful to have a common understanding of this. There has been resistance in the past in the community to defining this. There is agreement that it’s not easy to define, like myth, religion and yet defining it better is worth doing.
d. OSI Membership sign-up shifted to an annual $15 minimum with $50 recommended; only one sign up to date. Will be waiting before publicizing more until the map work is done.
3. Go over items moved to the “Doing” column
a. Elder Wisdom Virtual Invitation
i. The idea for this came from VOSonOS which Anne Stadler attended. As Suzanne was listening to Anne, she recognized the huge wisdom that exists in Anne and in many others in the Open Space community that is not being captured in the OS list – the stories, the unique perspectives and she was prompted to reach out to Anne and others to explore the possibility of having a QiQoChat that would invite story telling, wisdom sharing and conversations. To date only preliminary conversations on this. Suzanne will follow up. Lucas Cioffi and Michael Herman are keen on this too as is OSI US.
ii. Discussion around oral sharing vs writings in books or the OS list. Some video is available of Anne (recent TV interview, recent interviewing with Harold at Whidbey Island, etc). Suzanne will share those links.
iii. Harold also suggested that it would be very valuable to have lively fireside chats or lean coffee type of conversations to also capture this elder wisdom which could be recorded and put out there for the community as Youtube videos.
iv. Dan mentions how important it is to capture this wisdom; Karen says all these ideas are great and that the emphasis should be on story telling and that the real value will be having several people interacting, having an intimacy in the conversations. Linda also agrees though urges to keep it simple, to keep the Open Space principles in mind, to be inclusive and intentional in our invitation. Linda and Karen between them have over 50 years of experience in Open Space. Lots of wisdom that we don’t want to lose
v. Harold mentions DVD videos from India with Anne in earlier days with people having mgt conversations, experiencing the same struggles that we experience today. Of real historical interest even thought the quality of the footage may not be the best.
b. Initiative around Open Space and Indigenous Communities; Harold, Linda and Karen very interested in this topic. Lots of experience in the group. In fact Karen is involved in the publication of a 2nd Edition book on this topic, which is not out yet. She will provide information on this although respecting the timing as the 2nd edition is not out yet; it may be the information she shares will be from the 1st edition.
4. Discussion on the note that Suzanne sent giving her notice to resign as President in 2016
a. Suzanne shares her perspective about OSI US and how it invites us to live open space by initiating projects that we are individually passionate about and want to take action on, inviting others to join. For her, it is more the individuals that are part of OSI US and what they bring that the Board itself.
b. She also expresses her hopes that roles like Harold’s (financial, OS list maintenance, etc.) should tie anyone in this work precluding them for example from taking others roles (i.e. Harold as president). Harold acknowledges that there is a lot of leg work involved in the treasury work. Dan Mezick asks Harold if there was someone who could do those functions well, would he consider taking on a role such as president. Harold answers yes.
c. Harold then comments on what Suzanne has said, mentioning that OSI is more than the sum of its parts, that it’s more than just individuals, that there is an important role for OSI US but it’s never been clear what it is authorized to do or not do. He feels there is a need and an opportunity pick up the emergent structure in a light way, to have the authority to help the OS body move forward while embracing others institutes and others willing to work. There is a concern by some in the Open Space community that if we institutionalize Open Space, it will ossify. It is agreed that that these are important questions; need to clarify what we mean, have a common understanding, an emergent understanding.
5. Tricia takes the lead to initiate a working meeting separate from our board meetings (would include email communications) to work on this topic, to explore the reason OSI US exits, to explore how we can be stewards in a different it being an institution. She will also look at a visioning exercise to walk us through this important topic.
6. Harold closes the meeting with the idea of OSI US becoming a 501c3 Umbrella Organization providing the opportunity for Open Space chapters to be established so people have a place to go to explore and learn about Open Space. This is a topic that will be discussed perhaps as part of what Tricia is initiating. Karen indicated she thought it sounds contradictory to the intent of Open Space, Harold responds that if we make the policy clear and clean enough, that would not happen and indeed it would be a service to many including the Agile community which is increasingly adopting Open Space.
Next Meeting: September 21, 2015
Note Taker: Linda Stevenson
Bin Gardner: Suzanne Daigle
Present:
Suzanne Daigle, Karen Davis, Daniel Mezick, Kevin O’Brien, Harold Shinsato, Linda Stevenson
1.) Concerns were raised around the Board’s monthly online meetings’ structure and efficiency. Possibilities to address these issues included:
· Dragging things out of Trello to pre-set an agenda three or four days before the meeting by a meeting volunteer convener, and the agenda could be refined at the beginning of each meeting
· Learning the McCarthy style check-in
· Naming/owning all items in the Trello bin
· Distinguishing between operations and policy making
· Using a grab and go email policy like Agile Boston
· Making the best use of online tools for online meetings
· Deciding the notetaker ahead of time (but for facilitator role?)
· Using a spreadsheet like the OS Hotline
· Keeping to 90 minutes with a mid-way break
· Letting our mission “to hold space for Open Space” be our guide
· Keeping our commitments
· All activating whatever we are passionate about
· Do we need both a convener and a facilitator?
· Is the group being the authority a problem?
2) The Trello bin was cleaned up
3) Add a “Bell of Awesomeness” to the onboarding process and use it judiciously
4) Goal setting could be replaced with direction setting
5) Hold a conversation on structure serving the goals and emergence
6) IRS tax filings 990 and Washington State Annual Report are done
7) Online Agile coaching for OST folks is going well with 6 people on the last call, good questions, emergent lessons, and a fabulous teacher
8) The 501c3 policy and criteria writing will focus on WOSonOS and the January OS
9) We can experiment with sociocracy (background of holocracy) which is Scrum’s big brother and start by checking out Wikipedia and lerning more
10) Harold will form a subgroup to investigate sociocracy including Joh Buck’s work on collaborative governance (www.sociocracy.info) and make a recommendation for us to consider with Daniel as a point person
11) Keep in mind that “less is more” and our simplicity has led to some amazing meetings and emergence from a very deep place of being
12) Check out the McCarthy boot camp
13) More dialogue can happen in a safe space on the issues around the appropriate amount of structure
14) Harold is starting a video project on an unfolding Open Space Manifesto
15) Harold is beginning Open Space training conversations
OSI US Board Meeting Hightlights – March 16, 2015 (5:30 to 7:15 p.m. EST)
Attending: Tricia Chirumbole, Chuni Li, Suzanne Daigle, Karen Davis, Linda Stevenson, Harold Shinsato, Dan Mezick, Kevin O’Brien
Note taker: Suzanne Daigle
Bin Gardner navigating the Agenda: Harold Shinsato
Meeting begins with 2 minutes of silence followed by member check-in
While noting all the positive benefits, it was acknowledged that using OSI US as a pass-through does create quite a bit of work at the treasury level and it could become extremely onerous if we were involved in many such events.There was some discussion about expanding the use and value of our 501C3 without increasing work for us at the Board level as a service to other institutes or Open Space groups. Should we go in that direction, Harold says that it probably would require paid staff to handle the books
A rich and enthusiastic discussion ensued from this suggestion leading to a first new ritual of ringing “a bell of awesomeness” to welcome Doug and Dan as new board members. All agreed that having emergent light structures, which provide spontaneity can be highly effective counteracting the fact that we rarely meet face-to-face. Those who have been on the board talked about how invaluable the off-site board retreats have been. (ie. Florida) in building deeper relationships. Setting up a bit more structure can help, according to Dan, and as he reminds us, nothing needs to be set in stone.
Picking up on the BK idea, it was felt that such a directory or list of experienced Open Space facilitator/trainers would be helpful. Karen asks if we know what other groups have done (Appreciative Inquiry, Future Search, World Café) in submitting to this list. Karen who knows Juanita will seek her out to ask. We then had an open discussion of what the possibilities might be on this feeling this will be an increasing need because more and more people will want to know about Open Space in the future.
We did have some minimal discussion on this topic at an earlier meeting. In the spirit of Open Space, while recognizing the benefit and need of this, it is not evident how a group such as ours would determine who is an expert. The inclination would be that people self-identify instead and that we involve others.
Kevin talks about the Linked-in model where people can endorse others for their skills. He mentions the W.L. Gore model where others recognize a person’s expertise. What’s nice about Linked in is that it’s easy to endorse. Linda asks if we just couldn’t use Linked in directly and ask the community to use the endorsement feature. Kevin responds that we can’t search by endorsements in Linked in. Harold does not like that Linked in controls the information. Nonetheless he feels that Linked is a good model and thinks that creating something like it connected to a map could be doable. There is further discussion about Linked in that people could be gaming the process or not being as thoughtful or serious in their endorsements. Harold mentions that just because you have a lot of endorsements doesn’t mean that you are good.
Tricia see this as an opportunity to involve others, to institute something that is superior to formal models. It’s an opportunity to involve the OS community.It invites us look at expertise and also who you actually trust who is doing this work. It’s an opportunity to involve the OS community.
Karen acknowledges that there’s been some good thinking and good ideas. I think this could be a major move for the Institute but perhaps it would be good idea to step back a bit first. Chuni wonders if this initiative is in the spirit “one less think to do”. Kevin responds by saying: I’m excited by the idea and would be happy to offer whatever I can but I also respect what Chuni just said.
In attendance: Tricia, Harold, Linda, Suzanne, Karen, (Kevin butterfly)
We did a minute of silence. We did check ins.
The annual meeting. Great getting Daniel Mezick involved so he could get more involved in the OSList. There were technical problems for the first 20 minutes. There were people from Europe. people couldn't hear Linda. After about 20 minutes she gave up. Christine Koehler spent 0.35 Euro to participate. Karen thought the annual meeting went well.
We have 2 people registered so far. I know it's going to work out. Suzanne - did you have any conversations with any of the folks that Chuni mentioned? Karen hasn't heard from them. Pittsburg contingent hopefully coming. Suzanne has a suite.
Informal Sunday meeting. Formal meeting Monday January 19. Specific goals- specific measure. Chuni might have a location in NYC, but we could hold it at her parents house. 10am to 5pm. We probably will use Open Space, though we might or might not have more than one track. Karen is working on the location. Since we are in NYC - we can bring in food or go out to eat.
OS Hotline should have page on OSIUS.org site. Harold will give Tricia the link to send to Open Space World.
Adding Daniel Mezick - what is the role of the OSI-US. It's holding space for open space. It's not like.. we've had our issues and controversies. We're not being like a mega- controlling presence. Suzanne has found it hard to find our place so we don't overstep our bounds. Like we don't hold a power role. But the flip side we're searching for our identity. I don't know if we've wrestled. Here's what we're about.
Karen - historical piece - if someone wanted to be a part of the Open Space Institute board - they only had to say so. We can do anything over the course of the year. Part of the deeper conversation for the face to face. and our goals. Karen may not be able to hook in again because she's arriving at her destination. Why has this come up? Suzanne had a chat with Harold as a sounding board. Let's give it time and space.
Kevin - transparency part - what is the board's mission, ownership and stewardship for - the types of activities making that more open seems like - that's the part we're talking about? We're not as transparent as we could be about today.
Suzanne - struggling with the word with transparency. Nothing we have to hide. The timidity. Holding space for a spoken or unspoken bound. Read about 7 or 8 years of the notes for the OSI-US notes. A lot of the conversations are similar to ours. Peggy started this a long time ago and was in that role of heading it up for quite a while. Harold and Suzanne were invited, people didn't seem to come. Don't know how it was in the past. We all agree -
Karen - I'm on stage now - in the past one of the things that often happens. The annual meetings there would be someone (WOSonOS) someone had some energy - when they were at that meeting. Make it transparent - these are how things have been operating.
Suzanne - when we had the conversation at the membership meeting - are people are holding back because of this or because of that - if they do say something it might get shot down - authority or that - struck on that for all these people coming forward - people are truly choosing. Maybe people would not say how they feel. This is an example too of not just looking at the facts of what is being said. Being there present or holding space. Social Medial work - you can lurk on Twitter.
Suzanne - the energy is starting to bubble up. Not imposing it. Serving them - what would that look like - would the on us of responsibility lie on us.
Linda - a larger context - people may not realize that things are happening so fast. OST is about to come out of the shadows. It's going to change the consciousness of how organizations come together. It's going to fit in with the future of work. A broad overview - then asking the questions that Harold is pointing to. What do you need? Get people's interests. If they're still looking at this as the old OSList. A lot of this is being triggered. Wait a minute - what else is out there - that's great. But I was struck by Chris Cloth - haven't seen him for 20 years - of course I remember him. Get some of the old timers envigorated. Get them wanting to come to January. A context piece. Linda would help write. It's kind of - taking a stand right now. Who are the experts? List of experts are going to come out one way or another. We have as the institute to honor the integrity of the process and serve the community. Help us shape what we'll be looking at as the institute.
Suzanne - what this is inspiring in me - in an expanded way of transparency and self-leadership - when you see these people on the list - if we are asking about some of the things they are - they could be participating. People that are interested. Dan's being a spark plug on a bunch of things. There could be others that care deeply that see the shift that are happening.
Linda - Projects that are invited - for that to occur. Tricia's group - people who are newer - a lot of people on the OSList that have been around for 20-30 years. They've realized they are not going to pay the bills with OST and have done other things. There could be a wonderful invitation to them to inform the new people of what is happening. And Dan's games have brought people out of the shadows. Sharing their expertise, and stimulating conversations. There is a real chance to take a leadership role, one that is very open. I'd be happy to start with what that larger context could be stated as - and tie it into the survey monkey. Use it as a rallying call. You've been waiting for this for quite a while - we've been privy to the hotline which Tricia has pioneered. Bill Jensen's research. Not everyone understands that. But we do. But the timing couldn't be better. In doing that, we're honoring the list in a way it's an invitation. It's a way of communicating that have dropped into the shadows and are comfortable there. It's time - it's all open space anyway. There's a need for awareness here.
Suzanne - Tricia do you have any thoughts? What is Linda is describing for a bigger context. They're not all newbies. Paul Levy. They've been doing OST.
Linda - people with depth and experience are not as active. Highlight what we are excited about. To get people to NYC. To get people to the Hotline. We'll be doing the survey too. Get ways for people to contribute. People who do have passion will come forward. Maybe other ideas. In this whole process, we keep our eyes open for people we want to invite onto the board. This needs to happen yesterday.
Tricia- culture of the board - we can be- the next steps emerging . More inclusive and open. Invitational. Clarify our mission and put that out into the cosmos and see what develops. Get people interested. I'm happy to keep the line open, and see more invitations coming from the OSI board, that is emerging right now. Identifying our vision and inviting. Keep the energy flowing different manifestations of engagement.
Harold removed David O'Neill, Ed Laboy, and Phelim McDermott from the OSI-US Board email list.
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