Dear Funda and Alessia and others who are interested in this topic, I am curious about what was occurring in the OST world at the time that you joined in. Did your perspective about the world (your worldview) influence how you perceive OST and/or was something in the world of OST at the time that you joined affect your perspective and interpretation of OST. Warmly, Birgitt *Birgitt Williams* *Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants * *Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership development, and the benefits of nourishing a culture of leadership.* www.dalarinternational.com *Upcoming Workshops* *Holistic Leadership Development* | January 5-10, 2026 | Online >> Learn More & Register <https://www.dalarinternational.com/register/hld-2026/> for any of these workshops here. *Go to www.genuinecontact.net <http://www.genuinecontact.net> to see the public Genuine Contact training and mentoring options by Genuine Contact trainers internationally. If you wish to schedule an "in-house" training for people in your organization, please contact me, Birgitt Williams <birgitt@dalarinternational.com>, via email to set up a consultation to discern what is the best option to meet your development goals.* 16 Sunny Acres Dr., Etowah, North Carolina, USA 28729 Phone: 01-919-522-7750 Like us on Facebook <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG> Connect on LinkedIn <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG> On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 1:53 AM Funda Oral <fundaoral@gmail.com> wrote: > Dear Colleagues, > > It has now been twenty-three years since I was first introduced to Open > Space Technology and to Harrison Owen. In a sense, I too have become part > of history. From my perspective, Open Space Technology emerged as a > response to a predominantly male, white and Western-oriented conception of > organizational management. > > Several of the transformative contributions attributed to Open Space > Technology had already been articulated by feminist thinkers and > organizational critics during the 1960s. > > The central problem they identified was the dominance of competitive, > hierarchical, and ranking-oriented models of governance and organizational > management. > > In this respect, in my opinion, Open Space Technology can also be > interpreted as part of a broader intellectual and political movement > seeking more participatory, relational, and self-organizing forms of > collective engagement. > > Have a great day all > > Funda Oral Toussaint > > > > Le mar. 19 mai 2026 à 03:33, douglasgermann via OSList < > everyone@oslist.org> a écrit : > >> Birgitt-- >> >> It might be of use to the community, if you could find Harrison's thesis >> and post it on a couple of the prominent long-term Websites dedicated to >> all things OST. >> >> If you please. >> >> :- Doug. Germann >> >> Sent with Proton Mail <https://proton.me/mail/home> secure email. >> >> On Saturday, May 16th, 2026 at 3:54 PM, Birgitt Williams via OSList < >> everyone@oslist.org> wrote: >> >> Dear friends and colleagues in Open Space, >> A little bit of history. I was going to take the time to actually write a >> story that began with "A long time ago and not so very far away..." however >> this led me to procrastinating as I reflected on the longer story behind >> this brief note. >> >> I wasn't in on the beginning of OST around 1986. My entry was in 1990. >> How OST is viewed today has a connection to when you entered the story. The >> story of how Anne Stadler as a videographer of the first official OST in >> India was instrumental in how OST got brought out into the world. This >> story is in the archives. >> >> Let's go back a little further. Harrison was an Episcopalian Priest...an >> authorization that he probably didn't give up. I had the joy in 1997 of >> watching him in his priestly role officiate his son Barry's wedding. >> Definitely still a priest. >> >> When describing the start of OST, sometimes he talked about his >> university studies in comparative religions. He wrote a thesis. I believe I >> have a copy still. The theme was about Spirit, and making space for Spirit >> to do the work of Spirit. His book Spirit: transformation and development >> in organizations was based on this thesis. He also participated in the >> Organizational Development Network (OD Network) and was among the first and >> very small group of the ODN to focus on organizational transformation in >> 1983 when organizational transformation was first being thought about as a >> particular field within OD. Harrison, along with Ralph Copleman and others >> whose names I cannot remember started the annual Organizational >> Transformation Symposium that convened annually for 20 years. It was in the >> responsibility for this OT Symposium that Harrison and friends realized >> that they were putting too much work into it. Where was Spirit? And in a >> post-Symposium conversation, likely over drinks, the group came up with >> ideas for an easier way to do the conference the following year turning the >> planning of it into something that had the same feeling as was experienced >> in a coffee break..they had noticed that Spirit was high at the Symposium >> only during the coffee breaks. >> >> When I got involved with OST in those early years, there was a lot of >> excitement about making space for Spirit to do the work of Spirit. Today, >> we don't need to use the word Spirit. Instead we can use 'conscious >> energy'. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to regularly participate >> in the OT Symposium, the OSONOS (that preceded WOSONOS), and repeated >> experiences of the four day OST training that Harrison did first as a >> participant and then (along with Dr. Larry Peterson) as a sponsor. My >> interest in how to transform organizations was the initial attraction for >> me, understanding that there were others as passionate about this as I was >> (and am). My curiosity about how we opened space for Spirit (conscious >> energy) to do the work of Spirit (conscious energy) was also satiated over >> and over, yet raising new aspects to be curious about. >> >> I encourage people who facilitate OST meetings and conferences (or who >> want to learn how to do so) to consider the importance of opening space for >> conscious energy. When the space is open for conscious energy, the energy >> itself creates what needs to be created by inspiring people's mind, spirit, >> heart, and action. Real change by people happens when these are aligned, >> fueled by conscious energy. >> >> There are not many of us left from those early days. For those that have >> passed on, you are remembered with gratitude. For those from that time who >> are still active in transforming organizations and systems by opening space >> for conscious energy, I am grateful. And for those who have joined in along >> the way and are helping to shape the future, you are part of the hope of >> the world. >> >> Warmly, >> Birgitt >> >> *Birgitt Williams* >> *Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants * >> *Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership >> development, and the benefits of nourishing a culture of leadership.* >> www.dalarinternational.com >> >> *Upcoming Workshops* >> *Holistic Leadership Development* | January 5-10, 2026 | Online >> >> >> Learn More & Register >> <https://www.dalarinternational.com/register/hld-2026/> for any of these >> workshops here. >> >> *Go to www.genuinecontact.net <http://www.genuinecontact.net> to see the >> public Genuine Contact training and mentoring options by Genuine Contact >> trainers internationally. If you wish to schedule an "in-house" training >> for people in your organization, please contact me, Birgitt Williams >> <birgitt@dalarinternational.com>, via email to set up a consultation to >> discern what is the best option to meet your development goals.* >> >> >> >> 16 Sunny Acres Dr., Etowah, North Carolina, USA 28729 >> Phone: 01-919-522-7750 >> Like us on Facebook >> <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG> >> Connect on LinkedIn >> <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG> >> >> >> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org >> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org >> See the archives here: >> https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org > >

Thanks Birgitt and others for sharing your important beautiful stories of our past going into the present. Thanks everyone who has been and are contributing along the way. I think it’s important even sacred work we do. I dare say that the world becomes a better place every time we invite people into a circle and create a life nourishing space. I deeply believe so. I first bumped into Open Space in 1998. After an initial experience, I arranged an in-house training In my organisation with Ingrid Olausson who I believe was the person who brought open space to Sweden already in the mid 90s. After A couple of years being able to open space in my organisation I had to quit my job to continue. I had another training with Harrison and another one with Birgitt WiIliams around 2000. I am so grateful for these three teachers of mine❤️ Since then, I’ve been opening space as much as has been possible for me. Many years ago I had facilitated hundreds of open spaces and trained many hundreds of people, mostly inhouse in public offices. Now with online OST opportunities I lost count since many years. Since four years we are offering Open Space for Democracy as an ongoing opportunity to protect and strengthen democracy by inviting conscious energy I guess. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK FRIENDS Thomas Herrmann Skickat från Outlook för iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________ Från: Birgitt Williams via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> Skickat: Saturday, 16 May 2026 21:53:06 Till: OS list <everyone@oslist.org> Ämne: [OSList] conscious energy and a bit of history Dear friends and colleagues in Open Space, A little bit of history. I was going to take the time to actually write a story that began with "A long time ago and not so very far away..." however this led me to procrastinating as I reflected on the longer story behind this brief note. I wasn't in on the beginning of OST around 1986. My entry was in 1990. How OST is viewed today has a connection to when you entered the story. The story of how Anne Stadler as a videographer of the first official OST in India was instrumental in how OST got brought out into the world. This story is in the archives. Let's go back a little further. Harrison was an Episcopalian Priest...an authorization that he probably didn't give up. I had the joy in 1997 of watching him in his priestly role officiate his son Barry's wedding. Definitely still a priest. When describing the start of OST, sometimes he talked about his university studies in comparative religions. He wrote a thesis. I believe I have a copy still. The theme was about Spirit, and making space for Spirit to do the work of Spirit. His book Spirit: transformation and development in organizations was based on this thesis. He also participated in the Organizational Development Network (OD Network) and was among the first and very small group of the ODN to focus on organizational transformation in 1983 when organizational transformation was first being thought about as a particular field within OD. Harrison, along with Ralph Copleman and others whose names I cannot remember started the annual Organizational Transformation Symposium that convened annually for 20 years. It was in the responsibility for this OT Symposium that Harrison and friends realized that they were putting too much work into it. Where was Spirit? And in a post-Symposium conversation, likely over drinks, the group came up with ideas for an easier way to do the conference the following year turning the planning of it into something that had the same feeling as was experienced in a coffee break..they had noticed that Spirit was high at the Symposium only during the coffee breaks. When I got involved with OST in those early years, there was a lot of excitement about making space for Spirit to do the work of Spirit. Today, we don't need to use the word Spirit. Instead we can use 'conscious energy'. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to regularly participate in the OT Symposium, the OSONOS (that preceded WOSONOS), and repeated experiences of the four day OST training that Harrison did first as a participant and then (along with Dr. Larry Peterson) as a sponsor. My interest in how to transform organizations was the initial attraction for me, understanding that there were others as passionate about this as I was (and am). My curiosity about how we opened space for Spirit (conscious energy) to do the work of Spirit (conscious energy) was also satiated over and over, yet raising new aspects to be curious about. I encourage people who facilitate OST meetings and conferences (or who want to learn how to do so) to consider the importance of opening space for conscious energy. When the space is open for conscious energy, the energy itself creates what needs to be created by inspiring people's mind, spirit, heart, and action. Real change by people happens when these are aligned, fueled by conscious energy. There are not many of us left from those early days. For those that have passed on, you are remembered with gratitude. For those from that time who are still active in transforming organizations and systems by opening space for conscious energy, I am grateful. And for those who have joined in along the way and are helping to shape the future, you are part of the hope of the world. Warmly, Birgitt Birgitt Williams Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership development, and the benefits of nourishing a culture of leadership. www.dalarinternational.com<http://www.dalarinternational.com> Upcoming Workshops Holistic Leadership Development | January 5-10, 2026 | Online >> Learn More & Register<https://www.dalarinternational.com/register/hld-2026/> for any of these workshops here. Go to www.genuinecontact.net<http://www.genuinecontact.net> to see the public Genuine Contact training and mentoring options by Genuine Contact trainers internationally. If you wish to schedule an "in-house" training for people in your organization, please contact me, Birgitt Williams<mailto:birgitt@dalarinternational.com>, via email to set up a consultation to discern what is the best option to meet your development goals. [https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4yeZVf5V4yv3n0uWMWOzEr8VoVyoZcaZP9A8B5a12PLTLtbOnvyqv4aOnUEydYAIR65miWTIav8x39A] 16 Sunny Acres Dr., Etowah, North Carolina, USA 28729 Phone: 01-919-522-7750 Like us on Facebook<https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG> Connect on LinkedIn<https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG>

Dear Birgitt, as an answer to your question, at that point in my life I was asking whether individual hapiness and organizational success can be possible at the same time. I had already studied business administration and had enough work experience in various cultural and organizational settings when I began asking this question.I want to add however that not not only our perception of OST, perception of everything depends on who we are at that moment of time. Funda 20 May 2026 Çar 15:49 tarihinde Birgitt Williams via OSList < everyone@oslist.org> şunu yazdı: > Dear Funda and Alessia and others who are interested in this topic, > I am curious about what was occurring in the OST world at the time that > you joined in. Did your perspective about the world (your worldview) > influence how you perceive OST and/or was something in the world of OST at > the time that you joined affect your perspective and interpretation of OST. > > Warmly, > Birgitt > > *Birgitt Williams* > *Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants * > *Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership > development, and the benefits of nourishing a culture of leadership.* > www.dalarinternational.com > > *Upcoming Workshops* > *Holistic Leadership Development* | January 5-10, 2026 | Online > > >> Learn More & Register > <https://www.dalarinternational.com/register/hld-2026/> for any of these > workshops here. > > *Go to www.genuinecontact.net <http://www.genuinecontact.net> to see the > public Genuine Contact training and mentoring options by Genuine Contact > trainers internationally. If you wish to schedule an "in-house" training > for people in your organization, please contact me, Birgitt Williams > <birgitt@dalarinternational.com>, via email to set up a consultation to > discern what is the best option to meet your development goals.* > > > > 16 Sunny Acres Dr., Etowah, North Carolina, USA 28729 > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/16+Sunny+Acres+Dr.,+Etowah,+North+Carolina,+USA+28729?entry=gmail&source=g> > Phone: 01-919-522-7750 > Like us on Facebook > <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG> > > Connect on LinkedIn > <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG> > > > > On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 1:53 AM Funda Oral <fundaoral@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Dear Colleagues, >> >> It has now been twenty-three years since I was first introduced to Open >> Space Technology and to Harrison Owen. In a sense, I too have become >> part of history. From my perspective, Open Space Technology emerged as a >> response to a predominantly male, white and Western-oriented conception of >> organizational management. >> >> Several of the transformative contributions attributed to Open Space >> Technology had already been articulated by feminist thinkers and >> organizational critics during the 1960s. >> >> The central problem they identified was the dominance of competitive, >> hierarchical, and ranking-oriented models of governance and organizational >> management. >> >> In this respect, in my opinion, Open Space Technology can also be >> interpreted as part of a broader intellectual and political movement >> seeking more participatory, relational, and self-organizing forms of >> collective engagement. >> >> Have a great day all >> >> Funda Oral Toussaint >> >> >> >> Le mar. 19 mai 2026 à 03:33, douglasgermann via OSList < >> everyone@oslist.org> a écrit : >> >>> Birgitt-- >>> >>> It might be of use to the community, if you could find Harrison's thesis >>> and post it on a couple of the prominent long-term Websites dedicated to >>> all things OST. >>> >>> If you please. >>> >>> :- Doug. Germann >>> >>> Sent with Proton Mail <https://proton.me/mail/home> secure email. >>> >>> On Saturday, May 16th, 2026 at 3:54 PM, Birgitt Williams via OSList < >>> everyone@oslist.org> wrote: >>> >>> Dear friends and colleagues in Open Space, >>> A little bit of history. I was going to take the time to actually write >>> a story that began with "A long time ago and not so very far away..." >>> however this led me to procrastinating as I reflected on the longer story >>> behind this brief note. >>> >>> I wasn't in on the beginning of OST around 1986. My entry was in 1990. >>> How OST is viewed today has a connection to when you entered the story. The >>> story of how Anne Stadler as a videographer of the first official OST in >>> India was instrumental in how OST got brought out into the world. This >>> story is in the archives. >>> >>> Let's go back a little further. Harrison was an Episcopalian Priest...an >>> authorization that he probably didn't give up. I had the joy in 1997 of >>> watching him in his priestly role officiate his son Barry's wedding. >>> Definitely still a priest. >>> >>> When describing the start of OST, sometimes he talked about his >>> university studies in comparative religions. He wrote a thesis. I believe I >>> have a copy still. The theme was about Spirit, and making space for Spirit >>> to do the work of Spirit. His book Spirit: transformation and development >>> in organizations was based on this thesis. He also participated in the >>> Organizational Development Network (OD Network) and was among the first and >>> very small group of the ODN to focus on organizational transformation in >>> 1983 when organizational transformation was first being thought about as a >>> particular field within OD. Harrison, along with Ralph Copleman and others >>> whose names I cannot remember started the annual Organizational >>> Transformation Symposium that convened annually for 20 years. It was in the >>> responsibility for this OT Symposium that Harrison and friends realized >>> that they were putting too much work into it. Where was Spirit? And in a >>> post-Symposium conversation, likely over drinks, the group came up with >>> ideas for an easier way to do the conference the following year turning the >>> planning of it into something that had the same feeling as was experienced >>> in a coffee break..they had noticed that Spirit was high at the Symposium >>> only during the coffee breaks. >>> >>> When I got involved with OST in those early years, there was a lot of >>> excitement about making space for Spirit to do the work of Spirit. Today, >>> we don't need to use the word Spirit. Instead we can use 'conscious >>> energy'. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to regularly participate >>> in the OT Symposium, the OSONOS (that preceded WOSONOS), and repeated >>> experiences of the four day OST training that Harrison did first as a >>> participant and then (along with Dr. Larry Peterson) as a sponsor. My >>> interest in how to transform organizations was the initial attraction for >>> me, understanding that there were others as passionate about this as I was >>> (and am). My curiosity about how we opened space for Spirit (conscious >>> energy) to do the work of Spirit (conscious energy) was also satiated over >>> and over, yet raising new aspects to be curious about. >>> >>> I encourage people who facilitate OST meetings and conferences (or who >>> want to learn how to do so) to consider the importance of opening space for >>> conscious energy. When the space is open for conscious energy, the energy >>> itself creates what needs to be created by inspiring people's mind, spirit, >>> heart, and action. Real change by people happens when these are aligned, >>> fueled by conscious energy. >>> >>> There are not many of us left from those early days. For those that have >>> passed on, you are remembered with gratitude. For those from that time who >>> are still active in transforming organizations and systems by opening space >>> for conscious energy, I am grateful. And for those who have joined in along >>> the way and are helping to shape the future, you are part of the hope of >>> the world. >>> >>> Warmly, >>> Birgitt >>> >>> *Birgitt Williams* >>> *Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants * >>> *Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership >>> development, and the benefits of nourishing a culture of leadership.* >>> www.dalarinternational.com >>> >>> *Upcoming Workshops* >>> *Holistic Leadership Development* | January 5-10, 2026 | Online >>> >>> >> Learn More & Register >>> <https://www.dalarinternational.com/register/hld-2026/> for any of >>> these workshops here. >>> >>> *Go to www.genuinecontact.net <http://www.genuinecontact.net> to see the >>> public Genuine Contact training and mentoring options by Genuine Contact >>> trainers internationally. If you wish to schedule an "in-house" training >>> for people in your organization, please contact me, Birgitt Williams >>> <birgitt@dalarinternational.com>, via email to set up a consultation to >>> discern what is the best option to meet your development goals.* >>> >>> >>> >>> 16 Sunny Acres Dr., Etowah, North Carolina, USA 28729 >>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/16+Sunny+Acres+Dr.,+Etowah,+North+Carolina,+USA+28729?entry=gmail&source=g> >>> Phone: 01-919-522-7750 >>> Like us on Facebook >>> <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG> >>> Connect on LinkedIn >>> <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG> >>> >>> >>> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org >>> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org >>> See the archives here: >>> https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org >> >> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org > To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org > See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

Thanks Funda. That is a question from the soul. Did you find the answer then...and what is your answer at this moment in time? I am truly curious. Birgitt *Birgitt Williams* *Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants * *Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership development, and the benefits of nourishing a culture of leadership.* www.dalarinternational.com *Upcoming Workshops* *Holistic Leadership Development* | January 5-10, 2026 | Online >> Learn More & Register <https://www.dalarinternational.com/register/hld-2026/> for any of these workshops here. *Go to www.genuinecontact.net <http://www.genuinecontact.net> to see the public Genuine Contact training and mentoring options by Genuine Contact trainers internationally. If you wish to schedule an "in-house" training for people in your organization, please contact me, Birgitt Williams <birgitt@dalarinternational.com>, via email to set up a consultation to discern what is the best option to meet your development goals.* 16 Sunny Acres Dr., Etowah, North Carolina, USA 28729 Phone: 01-919-522-7750 Like us on Facebook <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG> Connect on LinkedIn <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG> On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 5:37 PM Funda Oral <fundaoral@gmail.com> wrote: > Dear Birgitt, > as an answer to your question, at that point in my life I was asking > whether individual hapiness and organizational success can be possible at > the same time. I had already studied business administration and had enough > work experience in various cultural and organizational settings when I > began asking this question.I want to add however that not not only our > perception of OST, perception of everything depends on who we are at that > moment of time. > Funda > > 20 May 2026 Çar 15:49 tarihinde Birgitt Williams via OSList < > everyone@oslist.org> şunu yazdı: > >> Dear Funda and Alessia and others who are interested in this topic, >> I am curious about what was occurring in the OST world at the time that >> you joined in. Did your perspective about the world (your worldview) >> influence how you perceive OST and/or was something in the world of OST at >> the time that you joined affect your perspective and interpretation of OST. >> >> Warmly, >> Birgitt >> >> *Birgitt Williams* >> *Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants * >> *Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership >> development, and the benefits of nourishing a culture of leadership.* >> www.dalarinternational.com >> >> *Upcoming Workshops* >> *Holistic Leadership Development* | January 5-10, 2026 | Online >> >> >> Learn More & Register >> <https://www.dalarinternational.com/register/hld-2026/> for any of these >> workshops here. >> >> *Go to www.genuinecontact.net <http://www.genuinecontact.net> to see the >> public Genuine Contact training and mentoring options by Genuine Contact >> trainers internationally. If you wish to schedule an "in-house" training >> for people in your organization, please contact me, Birgitt Williams >> <birgitt@dalarinternational.com>, via email to set up a consultation to >> discern what is the best option to meet your development goals.* >> >> >> >> 16 Sunny Acres Dr., Etowah, North Carolina, USA 28729 >> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/16+Sunny+Acres+Dr.,+Etowah,+North+Carolina,+USA+28729?entry=gmail&source=g> >> Phone: 01-919-522-7750 >> Like us on Facebook >> <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG> >> >> Connect on LinkedIn >> <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG> >> >> >> >> On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 1:53 AM Funda Oral <fundaoral@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Dear Colleagues, >>> >>> It has now been twenty-three years since I was first introduced to Open >>> Space Technology and to Harrison Owen. In a sense, I too have become >>> part of history. From my perspective, Open Space Technology emerged as a >>> response to a predominantly male, white and Western-oriented conception of >>> organizational management. >>> >>> Several of the transformative contributions attributed to Open Space >>> Technology had already been articulated by feminist thinkers and >>> organizational critics during the 1960s. >>> >>> The central problem they identified was the dominance of competitive, >>> hierarchical, and ranking-oriented models of governance and organizational >>> management. >>> >>> In this respect, in my opinion, Open Space Technology can also be >>> interpreted as part of a broader intellectual and political movement >>> seeking more participatory, relational, and self-organizing forms of >>> collective engagement. >>> >>> Have a great day all >>> >>> Funda Oral Toussaint >>> >>> >>> >>> Le mar. 19 mai 2026 à 03:33, douglasgermann via OSList < >>> everyone@oslist.org> a écrit : >>> >>>> Birgitt-- >>>> >>>> It might be of use to the community, if you could find Harrison's >>>> thesis and post it on a couple of the prominent long-term Websites >>>> dedicated to all things OST. >>>> >>>> If you please. >>>> >>>> :- Doug. Germann >>>> >>>> Sent with Proton Mail <https://proton.me/mail/home> secure email. >>>> >>>> On Saturday, May 16th, 2026 at 3:54 PM, Birgitt Williams via OSList < >>>> everyone@oslist.org> wrote: >>>> >>>> Dear friends and colleagues in Open Space, >>>> A little bit of history. I was going to take the time to actually write >>>> a story that began with "A long time ago and not so very far away..." >>>> however this led me to procrastinating as I reflected on the longer story >>>> behind this brief note. >>>> >>>> I wasn't in on the beginning of OST around 1986. My entry was in 1990. >>>> How OST is viewed today has a connection to when you entered the story. The >>>> story of how Anne Stadler as a videographer of the first official OST in >>>> India was instrumental in how OST got brought out into the world. This >>>> story is in the archives. >>>> >>>> Let's go back a little further. Harrison was an Episcopalian >>>> Priest...an authorization that he probably didn't give up. I had the joy in >>>> 1997 of watching him in his priestly role officiate his son Barry's >>>> wedding. Definitely still a priest. >>>> >>>> When describing the start of OST, sometimes he talked about his >>>> university studies in comparative religions. He wrote a thesis. I believe I >>>> have a copy still. The theme was about Spirit, and making space for Spirit >>>> to do the work of Spirit. His book Spirit: transformation and development >>>> in organizations was based on this thesis. He also participated in the >>>> Organizational Development Network (OD Network) and was among the first and >>>> very small group of the ODN to focus on organizational transformation in >>>> 1983 when organizational transformation was first being thought about as a >>>> particular field within OD. Harrison, along with Ralph Copleman and others >>>> whose names I cannot remember started the annual Organizational >>>> Transformation Symposium that convened annually for 20 years. It was in the >>>> responsibility for this OT Symposium that Harrison and friends realized >>>> that they were putting too much work into it. Where was Spirit? And in a >>>> post-Symposium conversation, likely over drinks, the group came up with >>>> ideas for an easier way to do the conference the following year turning the >>>> planning of it into something that had the same feeling as was experienced >>>> in a coffee break..they had noticed that Spirit was high at the Symposium >>>> only during the coffee breaks. >>>> >>>> When I got involved with OST in those early years, there was a lot of >>>> excitement about making space for Spirit to do the work of Spirit. Today, >>>> we don't need to use the word Spirit. Instead we can use 'conscious >>>> energy'. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to regularly participate >>>> in the OT Symposium, the OSONOS (that preceded WOSONOS), and repeated >>>> experiences of the four day OST training that Harrison did first as a >>>> participant and then (along with Dr. Larry Peterson) as a sponsor. My >>>> interest in how to transform organizations was the initial attraction for >>>> me, understanding that there were others as passionate about this as I was >>>> (and am). My curiosity about how we opened space for Spirit (conscious >>>> energy) to do the work of Spirit (conscious energy) was also satiated over >>>> and over, yet raising new aspects to be curious about. >>>> >>>> I encourage people who facilitate OST meetings and conferences (or who >>>> want to learn how to do so) to consider the importance of opening space for >>>> conscious energy. When the space is open for conscious energy, the energy >>>> itself creates what needs to be created by inspiring people's mind, spirit, >>>> heart, and action. Real change by people happens when these are aligned, >>>> fueled by conscious energy. >>>> >>>> There are not many of us left from those early days. For those that >>>> have passed on, you are remembered with gratitude. For those from that time >>>> who are still active in transforming organizations and systems by opening >>>> space for conscious energy, I am grateful. And for those who have joined in >>>> along the way and are helping to shape the future, you are part of the hope >>>> of the world. >>>> >>>> Warmly, >>>> Birgitt >>>> >>>> *Birgitt Williams* >>>> *Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants * >>>> *Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership >>>> development, and the benefits of nourishing a culture of leadership.* >>>> www.dalarinternational.com >>>> >>>> *Upcoming Workshops* >>>> *Holistic Leadership Development* | January 5-10, 2026 | Online >>>> >>>> >> Learn More & Register >>>> <https://www.dalarinternational.com/register/hld-2026/> for any of >>>> these workshops here. >>>> >>>> *Go to www.genuinecontact.net <http://www.genuinecontact.net> to see >>>> the public Genuine Contact training and mentoring options by Genuine >>>> Contact trainers internationally. If you wish to schedule an "in-house" >>>> training for people in your organization, please contact me, Birgitt >>>> Williams <birgitt@dalarinternational.com>, via email to set up a >>>> consultation to discern what is the best option to meet your development >>>> goals.* >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> 16 Sunny Acres Dr., Etowah, North Carolina, USA 28729 >>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/16+Sunny+Acres+Dr.,+Etowah,+North+Carolina,+USA+28729?entry=gmail&source=g> >>>> Phone: 01-919-522-7750 >>>> Like us on Facebook >>>> <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG> >>>> Connect on LinkedIn >>>> <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG> >>>> >>>> >>>> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org >>>> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org >>>> See the archives here: >>>> https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org >>> >>> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org >> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org >> See the archives here: >> https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org > >

Birgitt, as someone who has experienced the richness and happiness of life through family and friendships, I have never lost my belief in human potential — the potential to bring joy, love, happiness, and success into organizational environments. Personally, the “Law of Two Feet” — the freedom and responsibility to make choices — has always felt deeply liberating to me and has been a source of happiness. As an OST facilitator, I experienced a period in Turkey around 2010 when there was far more hope and openness toward organizational transformation. During that time, I facilitated inspiring gatherings and coordinated a music school based on self-organization and the OST approach. The school became highly successful and received both local and international awards. I still believe strongly in OST. I continue to facilitate, coordinate facilitation teams, coach facilitators, and recommend this approach in my consulting work. When I moved to Berlin five years ago, I initially found the organizational culture encouraging. Diversity and inclusion were not only dominant values but were also actively practiced in many environments. Unfortunately, from my perspective, it is becoming less and less common to invite people to speak about what truly matters to them and to empower them to take responsibility for it. Both in Turkey, where I come from, and in Germany, where I now live, polarization, exclusion, and competition seem to be increasing. More and more people appear to seek Security over Freedom. What I understand from OST is "freedom with responsibility and respect" : trusting participants with power, creating space for meaningful questions, and daring to ask those questions openly. Today, I see fewer opportunities to make my living in alignment with these values. My dream has been to work with OST and sustain my life through this work. That dream has not yet fully become reality. Still, I hold on to one of the core principles: “Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.” Dear Birgitt, that's so much from me, i am not willing to take further space writing in the group. thanks for your question, Funda Oral Toussaint 21 May 2026 Per 02:32 tarihinde Birgitt Williams via OSList < everyone@oslist.org> şunu yazdı: > Thanks Funda. That is a question from the soul. Did you find the answer > then...and what is your answer at this moment in time? I am truly curious. > > Birgitt > > *Birgitt Williams* > *Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants * > *Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership > development, and the benefits of nourishing a culture of leadership.* > www.dalarinternational.com > > *Upcoming Workshops* > *Holistic Leadership Development* | January 5-10, 2026 | Online > > >> Learn More & Register > <https://www.dalarinternational.com/register/hld-2026/> for any of these > workshops here. > > *Go to www.genuinecontact.net <http://www.genuinecontact.net> to see the > public Genuine Contact training and mentoring options by Genuine Contact > trainers internationally. If you wish to schedule an "in-house" training > for people in your organization, please contact me, Birgitt Williams > <birgitt@dalarinternational.com>, via email to set up a consultation to > discern what is the best option to meet your development goals.* > > > > 16 Sunny Acres Dr., Etowah, North Carolina, USA 28729 > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/16+Sunny+Acres+Dr.,+Etowah,+North+Carolina,+USA+28729?entry=gmail&source=g> > Phone: 01-919-522-7750 > Like us on Facebook > <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG> > > Connect on LinkedIn > <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG> > > > > On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 5:37 PM Funda Oral <fundaoral@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Dear Birgitt, >> as an answer to your question, at that point in my life I was asking >> whether individual hapiness and organizational success can be possible at >> the same time. I had already studied business administration and had enough >> work experience in various cultural and organizational settings when I >> began asking this question.I want to add however that not not only our >> perception of OST, perception of everything depends on who we are at that >> moment of time. >> Funda >> >> 20 May 2026 Çar 15:49 tarihinde Birgitt Williams via OSList < >> everyone@oslist.org> şunu yazdı: >> >>> Dear Funda and Alessia and others who are interested in this topic, >>> I am curious about what was occurring in the OST world at the time that >>> you joined in. Did your perspective about the world (your worldview) >>> influence how you perceive OST and/or was something in the world of OST at >>> the time that you joined affect your perspective and interpretation of OST. >>> >>> Warmly, >>> Birgitt >>> >>> *Birgitt Williams* >>> *Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants * >>> *Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership >>> development, and the benefits of nourishing a culture of leadership.* >>> www.dalarinternational.com >>> >>> *Upcoming Workshops* >>> *Holistic Leadership Development* | January 5-10, 2026 | Online >>> >>> >> Learn More & Register >>> <https://www.dalarinternational.com/register/hld-2026/> for any of >>> these workshops here. >>> >>> *Go to www.genuinecontact.net <http://www.genuinecontact.net> to see the >>> public Genuine Contact training and mentoring options by Genuine Contact >>> trainers internationally. If you wish to schedule an "in-house" training >>> for people in your organization, please contact me, Birgitt Williams >>> <birgitt@dalarinternational.com>, via email to set up a consultation to >>> discern what is the best option to meet your development goals.* >>> >>> >>> >>> 16 Sunny Acres Dr., Etowah, North Carolina, USA 28729 >>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/16+Sunny+Acres+Dr.,+Etowah,+North+Carolina,+USA+28729?entry=gmail&source=g> >>> Phone: 01-919-522-7750 >>> Like us on Facebook >>> <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG> >>> >>> Connect on LinkedIn >>> <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 1:53 AM Funda Oral <fundaoral@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Dear Colleagues, >>>> >>>> It has now been twenty-three years since I was first introduced to Open >>>> Space Technology and to Harrison Owen. In a sense, I too have become >>>> part of history. From my perspective, Open Space Technology emerged as a >>>> response to a predominantly male, white and Western-oriented conception of >>>> organizational management. >>>> >>>> Several of the transformative contributions attributed to Open Space >>>> Technology had already been articulated by feminist thinkers and >>>> organizational critics during the 1960s. >>>> >>>> The central problem they identified was the dominance of competitive, >>>> hierarchical, and ranking-oriented models of governance and organizational >>>> management. >>>> >>>> In this respect, in my opinion, Open Space Technology can also be >>>> interpreted as part of a broader intellectual and political movement >>>> seeking more participatory, relational, and self-organizing forms of >>>> collective engagement. >>>> >>>> Have a great day all >>>> >>>> Funda Oral Toussaint >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Le mar. 19 mai 2026 à 03:33, douglasgermann via OSList < >>>> everyone@oslist.org> a écrit : >>>> >>>>> Birgitt-- >>>>> >>>>> It might be of use to the community, if you could find Harrison's >>>>> thesis and post it on a couple of the prominent long-term Websites >>>>> dedicated to all things OST. >>>>> >>>>> If you please. >>>>> >>>>> :- Doug. Germann >>>>> >>>>> Sent with Proton Mail <https://proton.me/mail/home> secure email. >>>>> >>>>> On Saturday, May 16th, 2026 at 3:54 PM, Birgitt Williams via OSList < >>>>> everyone@oslist.org> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Dear friends and colleagues in Open Space, >>>>> A little bit of history. I was going to take the time to actually >>>>> write a story that began with "A long time ago and not so very far away..." >>>>> however this led me to procrastinating as I reflected on the longer story >>>>> behind this brief note. >>>>> >>>>> I wasn't in on the beginning of OST around 1986. My entry was in 1990. >>>>> How OST is viewed today has a connection to when you entered the story. The >>>>> story of how Anne Stadler as a videographer of the first official OST in >>>>> India was instrumental in how OST got brought out into the world. This >>>>> story is in the archives. >>>>> >>>>> Let's go back a little further. Harrison was an Episcopalian >>>>> Priest...an authorization that he probably didn't give up. I had the joy in >>>>> 1997 of watching him in his priestly role officiate his son Barry's >>>>> wedding. Definitely still a priest. >>>>> >>>>> When describing the start of OST, sometimes he talked about his >>>>> university studies in comparative religions. He wrote a thesis. I believe I >>>>> have a copy still. The theme was about Spirit, and making space for Spirit >>>>> to do the work of Spirit. His book Spirit: transformation and development >>>>> in organizations was based on this thesis. He also participated in the >>>>> Organizational Development Network (OD Network) and was among the first and >>>>> very small group of the ODN to focus on organizational transformation in >>>>> 1983 when organizational transformation was first being thought about as a >>>>> particular field within OD. Harrison, along with Ralph Copleman and others >>>>> whose names I cannot remember started the annual Organizational >>>>> Transformation Symposium that convened annually for 20 years. It was in the >>>>> responsibility for this OT Symposium that Harrison and friends realized >>>>> that they were putting too much work into it. Where was Spirit? And in a >>>>> post-Symposium conversation, likely over drinks, the group came up with >>>>> ideas for an easier way to do the conference the following year turning the >>>>> planning of it into something that had the same feeling as was experienced >>>>> in a coffee break..they had noticed that Spirit was high at the Symposium >>>>> only during the coffee breaks. >>>>> >>>>> When I got involved with OST in those early years, there was a lot of >>>>> excitement about making space for Spirit to do the work of Spirit. Today, >>>>> we don't need to use the word Spirit. Instead we can use 'conscious >>>>> energy'. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to regularly participate >>>>> in the OT Symposium, the OSONOS (that preceded WOSONOS), and repeated >>>>> experiences of the four day OST training that Harrison did first as a >>>>> participant and then (along with Dr. Larry Peterson) as a sponsor. My >>>>> interest in how to transform organizations was the initial attraction for >>>>> me, understanding that there were others as passionate about this as I was >>>>> (and am). My curiosity about how we opened space for Spirit (conscious >>>>> energy) to do the work of Spirit (conscious energy) was also satiated over >>>>> and over, yet raising new aspects to be curious about. >>>>> >>>>> I encourage people who facilitate OST meetings and conferences (or who >>>>> want to learn how to do so) to consider the importance of opening space for >>>>> conscious energy. When the space is open for conscious energy, the energy >>>>> itself creates what needs to be created by inspiring people's mind, spirit, >>>>> heart, and action. Real change by people happens when these are aligned, >>>>> fueled by conscious energy. >>>>> >>>>> There are not many of us left from those early days. For those that >>>>> have passed on, you are remembered with gratitude. For those from that time >>>>> who are still active in transforming organizations and systems by opening >>>>> space for conscious energy, I am grateful. And for those who have joined in >>>>> along the way and are helping to shape the future, you are part of the hope >>>>> of the world. >>>>> >>>>> Warmly, >>>>> Birgitt >>>>> >>>>> *Birgitt Williams* >>>>> *Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants * >>>>> *Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership >>>>> development, and the benefits of nourishing a culture of leadership.* >>>>> www.dalarinternational.com >>>>> >>>>> *Upcoming Workshops* >>>>> *Holistic Leadership Development* | January 5-10, 2026 | Online >>>>> >>>>> >> Learn More & Register >>>>> <https://www.dalarinternational.com/register/hld-2026/> for any of >>>>> these workshops here. >>>>> >>>>> *Go to www.genuinecontact.net <http://www.genuinecontact.net> to see >>>>> the public Genuine Contact training and mentoring options by Genuine >>>>> Contact trainers internationally. If you wish to schedule an "in-house" >>>>> training for people in your organization, please contact me, Birgitt >>>>> Williams <birgitt@dalarinternational.com>, via email to set up a >>>>> consultation to discern what is the best option to meet your development >>>>> goals.* >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> 16 Sunny Acres Dr., Etowah, North Carolina, USA 28729 >>>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/16+Sunny+Acres+Dr.,+Etowah,+North+Carolina,+USA+28729?entry=gmail&source=g> >>>>> Phone: 01-919-522-7750 >>>>> Like us on Facebook >>>>> <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG> >>>>> Connect on LinkedIn >>>>> <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org >>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org >>>>> See the archives here: >>>>> https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org >>>> >>>> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org >>> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org >>> See the archives here: >>> https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org >> >> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org > To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org > See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org