Empathy List Archives

TJ

Tres Jiménez

Fri, Jul 17, 2026 12:04 AM

Hello OST community,

A group of practitioners gathered online today (July 16) to explore a
question many of us are sitting with: How do we create genuine connection
in an online Open Space?

The virtual format has opened doors — practitioners joining from different
time zones, organizations experimenting with hybrid gatherings, the reach
expanding. But the question of connection remains live. How do we hold
space through a screen the way we hold it in a circle?

What We Explored

Four themes emerged:

Shared documents as living space — using collaborative tools (like
spreadsheets) to minimize version control and keep conversation flowing
between sessions

Warming the digital room — what connection activities or practices
help people arrive and feel present before diving into the work

Zoom logistics for full-day sessions — the practical choreography of
breakout rooms across multiple rounds

Creating container online — Harrison Owen's reminder that "when you
enter that circle you are holding those people's lives in your hands" — and
what that means when the circle is virtual

Resources

We managed and captured our meeting using a shared Google Sheets. Please
take a look for links, templates, and ideas. You're welcome to view, add,
and take what's useful: Open Space Resources — Google Sheet
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r2PWz4RbrjzpK7Yg-xkJxgiEKQxIlRy_TN_Mxl8OQwY/edit?usp=sharing

I am grateful to have a way to continue learning together — through monthly
Open Space Labs where we can share what we're trying, ask what's hard, and
keep the conversation alive.

Always learning,

Tres

--

Hello OST community, A group of practitioners gathered online today (July 16) to explore a question many of us are sitting with: *How do we create genuine connection in an online Open Space?* The virtual format has opened doors — practitioners joining from different time zones, organizations experimenting with hybrid gatherings, the reach expanding. But the question of *connection* remains live. How do we hold space through a screen the way we hold it in a circle? *What We Explored* Four themes emerged: - *Shared documents as living space* — using collaborative tools (like spreadsheets) to minimize version control and keep conversation flowing between sessions - *Warming the digital room* — what connection activities or practices help people arrive and feel present before diving into the work - *Zoom logistics for full-day sessions* — the practical choreography of breakout rooms across multiple rounds - *Creating container online* — Harrison Owen's reminder that "when you enter that circle you are holding those people's lives in your hands" — and what that means when the circle is virtual *Resources* We managed and captured our meeting using a shared Google Sheets. Please take a look for links, templates, and ideas. You're welcome to view, add, and take what's useful: Open Space Resources — Google Sheet <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r2PWz4RbrjzpK7Yg-xkJxgiEKQxIlRy_TN_Mxl8OQwY/edit?usp=sharing> I am grateful to have a way to continue learning together — through *monthly Open Space Labs* where we can share what we're trying, ask what's hard, and keep the conversation alive. Always learning, Tres --

TH

Thomas Herrmann

Fri, Jul 17, 2026 12:46 PM

Thank you, dear Tres for inviting, creating and guiding us through the meeting. Lovely to meet so many experienced and curious friends.
It was interesting to see and experience what you have developed using Google sheets et cetera.
I also liked the awareness that also online meetings are in person :-) This sure was!
What a kickstart for the Open Space Lab!
Grateful
🙏
Thomas Herrmann

Skickat från Outlook för iOShttps://aka.ms/o0ukef

Från: Tres Jiménez via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Skickat: fredag, juli 17, 2026 02:08
Till: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Ämne: [OSList] Recap of today's OST Practitioner Online Gathering: "How to create connection in an online OST?"

Hello OST community,

A group of practitioners gathered online today (July 16) to explore a question many of us are sitting with: How do we create genuine connection in an online Open Space?

The virtual format has opened doors — practitioners joining from different time zones, organizations experimenting with hybrid gatherings, the reach expanding. But the question of connection remains live. How do we hold space through a screen the way we hold it in a circle?

What We Explored

Four themes emerged:

Shared documents as living space — using collaborative tools (like spreadsheets) to minimize version control and keep conversation flowing between sessions
Warming the digital room — what connection activities or practices help people arrive and feel present before diving into the work
Zoom logistics for full-day sessions — the practical choreography of breakout rooms across multiple rounds
Creating container online — Harrison Owen's reminder that "when you enter that circle you are holding those people's lives in your hands" — and what that means when the circle is virtual

Resources

We managed and captured our meeting using a shared Google Sheets. Please take a look for links, templates, and ideas. You're welcome to view, add, and take what's useful: Open Space Resources — Google Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r2PWz4RbrjzpK7Yg-xkJxgiEKQxIlRy_TN_Mxl8OQwY/edit?usp=sharing

I am grateful to have a way to continue learning together — through monthly Open Space Labs where we can share what we're trying, ask what's hard, and keep the conversation alive.

Always learning,

Tres

--
[cid:ii_19f6d5f333501]

Thank you, dear Tres for inviting, creating and guiding us through the meeting. Lovely to meet so many experienced and curious friends. It was interesting to see and experience what you have developed using Google sheets et cetera. I also liked the awareness that also online meetings are in person :-) This sure was! What a kickstart for the Open Space Lab! Grateful 🙏 Thomas Herrmann Skickat från Outlook för iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________ Från: Tres Jiménez via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> Skickat: fredag, juli 17, 2026 02:08 Till: Open Space Listserv <everyone@oslist.org> Ämne: [OSList] Recap of today's OST Practitioner Online Gathering: "How to create connection in an online OST?" Hello OST community, A group of practitioners gathered online today (July 16) to explore a question many of us are sitting with: How do we create genuine connection in an online Open Space? The virtual format has opened doors — practitioners joining from different time zones, organizations experimenting with hybrid gatherings, the reach expanding. But the question of connection remains live. How do we hold space through a screen the way we hold it in a circle? What We Explored Four themes emerged: * Shared documents as living space — using collaborative tools (like spreadsheets) to minimize version control and keep conversation flowing between sessions * Warming the digital room — what connection activities or practices help people arrive and feel present before diving into the work * Zoom logistics for full-day sessions — the practical choreography of breakout rooms across multiple rounds * Creating container online — Harrison Owen's reminder that "when you enter that circle you are holding those people's lives in your hands" — and what that means when the circle is virtual Resources We managed and captured our meeting using a shared Google Sheets. Please take a look for links, templates, and ideas. You're welcome to view, add, and take what's useful: Open Space Resources — Google Sheet<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r2PWz4RbrjzpK7Yg-xkJxgiEKQxIlRy_TN_Mxl8OQwY/edit?usp=sharing> I am grateful to have a way to continue learning together — through monthly Open Space Labs where we can share what we're trying, ask what's hard, and keep the conversation alive. Always learning, Tres -- [cid:ii_19f6d5f333501]

MC

Mike Clement

Fri, Jul 17, 2026 3:15 PM

Would love to have been a part of the gathering!

I'm sure many others are experimenting with a lot of different things, but
what I have found to be most effective so far is to use a combination of
Gather and Miro. I've been running https://elsummit.com/ and
https://scunconf.com/ online for several years now and started using a zoom
meeting with links from a google doc but have found that Gather and Miro
give us a lot (not all) of the feeling of an in person open space.

Would love to talk more about it with anybody that is curious, or
especially those that have had a differen experience and/or have found
other more effective ways!

Thanks,
Mike

--
http://blog.softwareontheside.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclement/

On Fri, Jul 17, 2026 at 10:52 AM Thomas Herrmann via OSList <
everyone@oslist.org> wrote:

Thank you, dear Tres for inviting, creating and guiding us through the
meeting. Lovely to meet so many experienced and curious friends.
It was interesting to see and experience what you have developed using
Google sheets et cetera.
I also liked the awareness that also online meetings are in person :-)
This sure was!
What a kickstart for the Open Space Lab!
Grateful
🙏
Thomas Herrmann

Skickat från Outlook för iOS https://aka.ms/o0ukef

Från: Tres Jiménez via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Skickat: fredag, juli 17, 2026 02:08
Till: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Ämne: [OSList] Recap of today's OST Practitioner Online Gathering: "How
to create connection in an online OST?"

Hello OST community,

A group of practitioners gathered online today (July 16) to explore a
question many of us are sitting with: How do we create genuine
connection in an online Open Space?

The virtual format has opened doors — practitioners joining from different
time zones, organizations experimenting with hybrid gatherings, the reach
expanding. But the question of connection remains live. How do we hold
space through a screen the way we hold it in a circle?

What We Explored

Four themes emerged:

-

*Shared documents as living space* — using collaborative tools (like
spreadsheets) to minimize version control and keep conversation flowing
between sessions
-

*Warming the digital room* — what connection activities or practices
help people arrive and feel present before diving into the work
-

*Zoom logistics for full-day sessions* — the practical choreography of
breakout rooms across multiple rounds
-

*Creating container online* — Harrison Owen's reminder that "when you
enter that circle you are holding those people's lives in your hands" — and
what that means when the circle is virtual

Resources

We managed and captured our meeting using a shared Google Sheets. Please
take a look for links, templates, and ideas. You're welcome to view, add,
and take what's useful: Open Space Resources — Google Sheet
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r2PWz4RbrjzpK7Yg-xkJxgiEKQxIlRy_TN_Mxl8OQwY/edit?usp=sharing

I am grateful to have a way to continue learning together — through monthly
Open Space Labs where we can share what we're trying, ask what's
hard, and keep the conversation alive.

Always learning,

Tres

--
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

Would love to have been a part of the gathering! I'm sure many others are experimenting with a lot of different things, but what I have found to be most effective so far is to use a combination of Gather and Miro. I've been running https://elsummit.com/ and https://scunconf.com/ online for several years now and started using a zoom meeting with links from a google doc but have found that Gather and Miro give us a lot (not all) of the feeling of an in person open space. Would love to talk more about it with anybody that is curious, or especially those that have had a differen experience and/or have found other more effective ways! Thanks, Mike -- http://blog.softwareontheside.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclement/ On Fri, Jul 17, 2026 at 10:52 AM Thomas Herrmann via OSList < everyone@oslist.org> wrote: > Thank you, dear Tres for inviting, creating and guiding us through the > meeting. Lovely to meet so many experienced and curious friends. > It was interesting to see and experience what you have developed using > Google sheets et cetera. > I also liked the awareness that also online meetings are in person :-) > This sure was! > What a kickstart for the Open Space Lab! > Grateful > 🙏 > Thomas Herrmann > > Skickat från Outlook för iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > ------------------------------ > *Från:* Tres Jiménez via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> > *Skickat:* fredag, juli 17, 2026 02:08 > *Till:* Open Space Listserv <everyone@oslist.org> > *Ämne:* [OSList] Recap of today's OST Practitioner Online Gathering: "How > to create connection in an online OST?" > > > Hello OST community, > > A group of practitioners gathered online today (July 16) to explore a > question many of us are sitting with: *How do we create genuine > connection in an online Open Space?* > > The virtual format has opened doors — practitioners joining from different > time zones, organizations experimenting with hybrid gatherings, the reach > expanding. But the question of *connection* remains live. How do we hold > space through a screen the way we hold it in a circle? > > *What We Explored* > > Four themes emerged: > > - > > *Shared documents as living space* — using collaborative tools (like > spreadsheets) to minimize version control and keep conversation flowing > between sessions > - > > *Warming the digital room* — what connection activities or practices > help people arrive and feel present before diving into the work > - > > *Zoom logistics for full-day sessions* — the practical choreography of > breakout rooms across multiple rounds > - > > *Creating container online* — Harrison Owen's reminder that "when you > enter that circle you are holding those people's lives in your hands" — and > what that means when the circle is virtual > > *Resources* > > We managed and captured our meeting using a shared Google Sheets. Please > take a look for links, templates, and ideas. You're welcome to view, add, > and take what's useful: Open Space Resources — Google Sheet > <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r2PWz4RbrjzpK7Yg-xkJxgiEKQxIlRy_TN_Mxl8OQwY/edit?usp=sharing> > > I am grateful to have a way to continue learning together — through *monthly > O**pen Space Lab**s* where we can share what we're trying, ask what's > hard, and keep the conversation alive. > > Always learning, > > Tres > > -- > 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

RS

romy.shovelton@gmail.com

Sat, Jul 18, 2026 5:57 AM

Hi everyone … thx as ever for your wisdom - generously given.

Finding ways to gather, contribute, report and review from a phone (vs laptop) will be helpful. 😊 I’m travelling and looking to join you all on my phone. Finding Google Sheets a bit clunky to read and write to on a phone 😊

Hi everyone … thx as ever for your wisdom - generously given. Finding ways to gather, contribute, report and review from a phone (vs laptop) will be helpful. 😊 I’m travelling and looking to join you all on my phone. Finding Google Sheets a bit clunky to read and write to on a phone 😊

PH

Peggy Holman

Sat, Jul 18, 2026 9:58 PM

Thank you for sharing the notes Tres. Great to read through them! I am amazed at all the different ways people approach online spaces. I was bummed that I had a conflict and couldn’t attend. Looks like a good time was had by all.

Peggy

P.S. I’ll add two thoughts:

On the breakout room theme, I just open lots of breakout rooms such that each time period has its own set of rooms. That way, if a group goes over, they can stay right where they are. I rarely need more than 50 rooms (Zoom’s limit). As someone else suggested, with large groups, I’ve used multiple Zoom accounts with a facilitator for each. (Actually two facilitators: a process host and a tech host.) We did that for a 2-day--6 hour/day gathering for 300 people. We opened the space with everyone together then sent 2/3rds of the group to the other two Zoom accounts where they set the agenda for that space. We created a map https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WBCmnCZEF0xEMM7KdiBGyQERx5ijT5iPB-ZbIYsOadU/edit?tab=t.0 that showed all three spaces. People could move wherever they wanted to go. (The breakout room numbers were hot links to notes templates during the event.)

I use Google Docs for notes. Here’s my agenda wall/notes template https://docs.google.com/document/d/15CF3HiJ2ow0DwmKXUwhVtQmcplb-xJHhCl7A0XuoxTw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.she19u6xuxf. One thing I like about it is people can easily check out the conversations happening in other spaces. It’s sort of like being in a large physical room where breakouts are spread around the room and you can pick up the energy of what’s happening elsewhere.

On Jul 16, 2026, at 5:04 PM, Tres Jiménez via OSList everyone@oslist.org wrote:

Hello OST community,

A group of practitioners gathered online today (July 16) to explore a question many of us are sitting with: How do we create genuine connection in an online Open Space?

The virtual format has opened doors — practitioners joining from different time zones, organizations experimenting with hybrid gatherings, the reach expanding. But the question of connection remains live. How do we hold space through a screen the way we hold it in a circle?

What We Explored

Four themes emerged:

Shared documents as living space — using collaborative tools (like spreadsheets) to minimize version control and keep conversation flowing between sessions

Warming the digital room — what connection activities or practices help people arrive and feel present before diving into the work

Zoom logistics for full-day sessions — the practical choreography of breakout rooms across multiple rounds

Creating container online — Harrison Owen's reminder that "when you enter that circle you are holding those people's lives in your hands" — and what that means when the circle is virtual

Resources

We managed and captured our meeting using a shared Google Sheets. Please take a look for links, templates, and ideas. You're welcome to view, add, and take what's useful: Open Space Resources — Google Sheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r2PWz4RbrjzpK7Yg-xkJxgiEKQxIlRy_TN_Mxl8OQwY/edit?usp=sharing
I am grateful to have a way to continue learning together — through monthly Open Space Labs where we can share what we're trying, ask what's hard, and keep the conversation alive.

Always learning,

Tres

--
<Mail Attachment.png>
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

Thank you for sharing the notes Tres. Great to read through them! I am amazed at all the different ways people approach online spaces. I was bummed that I had a conflict and couldn’t attend. Looks like a good time was had by all. Peggy P.S. I’ll add two thoughts: On the breakout room theme, I just open lots of breakout rooms such that each time period has its own set of rooms. That way, if a group goes over, they can stay right where they are. I rarely need more than 50 rooms (Zoom’s limit). As someone else suggested, with large groups, I’ve used multiple Zoom accounts with a facilitator for each. (Actually two facilitators: a process host and a tech host.) We did that for a 2-day--6 hour/day gathering for 300 people. We opened the space with everyone together then sent 2/3rds of the group to the other two Zoom accounts where they set the agenda for that space. We created a map <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WBCmnCZEF0xEMM7KdiBGyQERx5ijT5iPB-ZbIYsOadU/edit?tab=t.0> that showed all three spaces. People could move wherever they wanted to go. (The breakout room numbers were hot links to notes templates during the event.) I use Google Docs for notes. Here’s my agenda wall/notes template <https://docs.google.com/document/d/15CF3HiJ2ow0DwmKXUwhVtQmcplb-xJHhCl7A0XuoxTw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.she19u6xuxf>. One thing I like about it is people can easily check out the conversations happening in other spaces. It’s sort of like being in a large physical room where breakouts are spread around the room and you can pick up the energy of what’s happening elsewhere. > On Jul 16, 2026, at 5:04 PM, Tres Jiménez via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> wrote: > > Hello OST community, > > A group of practitioners gathered online today (July 16) to explore a question many of us are sitting with: How do we create genuine connection in an online Open Space? > > The virtual format has opened doors — practitioners joining from different time zones, organizations experimenting with hybrid gatherings, the reach expanding. But the question of connection remains live. How do we hold space through a screen the way we hold it in a circle? > > What We Explored > > Four themes emerged: > > Shared documents as living space — using collaborative tools (like spreadsheets) to minimize version control and keep conversation flowing between sessions > > Warming the digital room — what connection activities or practices help people arrive and feel present before diving into the work > > Zoom logistics for full-day sessions — the practical choreography of breakout rooms across multiple rounds > > Creating container online — Harrison Owen's reminder that "when you enter that circle you are holding those people's lives in your hands" — and what that means when the circle is virtual > > Resources > > We managed and captured our meeting using a shared Google Sheets. Please take a look for links, templates, and ideas. You're welcome to view, add, and take what's useful: Open Space Resources — Google Sheet <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r2PWz4RbrjzpK7Yg-xkJxgiEKQxIlRy_TN_Mxl8OQwY/edit?usp=sharing> > I am grateful to have a way to continue learning together — through monthly Open Space Labs where we can share what we're trying, ask what's hard, and keep the conversation alive. > > Always learning, > > Tres > > > -- > <Mail Attachment.png> > 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

TH

Thomas Herrmann

Sun, Jul 19, 2026 8:13 PM

Wow how impressive events. Looks great.
I left Miro as I think Zoom whiteboard is very close. But I rarely facilitate large events online.
I am sure we’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn together.
Thanks for sharing Mike!
Thomas
Ps. I shared a template in the docu from the meeting - for how I create the space in Zoom whiteboard

Skickat från Outlook för iOShttps://aka.ms/o0ukef

Från: Mike Clement via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Skickat: Friday, 17 July 2026 17:15:19
Kopia: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Ämne: [OSList] Re: Recap of today's OST Practitioner Online Gathering: "How to create connection in an online OST?"

Would love to have been a part of the gathering!

I'm sure many others are experimenting with a lot of different things, but what I have found to be most effective so far is to use a combination of Gather and Miro. I've been running https://elsummit.com/ and https://scunconf.com/ online for several years now and started using a zoom meeting with links from a google doc but have found that Gather and Miro give us a lot (not all) of the feeling of an in person open space.

Would love to talk more about it with anybody that is curious, or especially those that have had a differen experience and/or have found other more effective ways!

Thanks,
Mike

--
http://blog.softwareontheside.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclement/

On Fri, Jul 17, 2026 at 10:52 AM Thomas Herrmann via OSList <everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:
Thank you, dear Tres for inviting, creating and guiding us through the meeting. Lovely to meet so many experienced and curious friends.
It was interesting to see and experience what you have developed using Google sheets et cetera.
I also liked the awareness that also online meetings are in person :-) This sure was!
What a kickstart for the Open Space Lab!
Grateful
🙏
Thomas Herrmann

Skickat från Outlook för iOShttps://aka.ms/o0ukef

Från: Tres Jiménez via OSList <everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org>
Skickat: fredag, juli 17, 2026 02:08
Till: Open Space Listserv <everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org>
Ämne: [OSList] Recap of today's OST Practitioner Online Gathering: "How to create connection in an online OST?"

Hello OST community,

A group of practitioners gathered online today (July 16) to explore a question many of us are sitting with: How do we create genuine connection in an online Open Space?

The virtual format has opened doors — practitioners joining from different time zones, organizations experimenting with hybrid gatherings, the reach expanding. But the question of connection remains live. How do we hold space through a screen the way we hold it in a circle?

What We Explored

Four themes emerged:

Shared documents as living space — using collaborative tools (like spreadsheets) to minimize version control and keep conversation flowing between sessions
Warming the digital room — what connection activities or practices help people arrive and feel present before diving into the work
Zoom logistics for full-day sessions — the practical choreography of breakout rooms across multiple rounds
Creating container online — Harrison Owen's reminder that "when you enter that circle you are holding those people's lives in your hands" — and what that means when the circle is virtual

Resources

We managed and captured our meeting using a shared Google Sheets. Please take a look for links, templates, and ideas. You're welcome to view, add, and take what's useful: Open Space Resources — Google Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r2PWz4RbrjzpK7Yg-xkJxgiEKQxIlRy_TN_Mxl8OQwY/edit?usp=sharing

I am grateful to have a way to continue learning together — through monthly Open Space Labs where we can share what we're trying, ask what's hard, and keep the conversation alive.

Always learning,

Tres

--
[cid:ii_19f70a264727e28d18b1]
OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

Wow how impressive events. Looks great. I left Miro as I think Zoom whiteboard is very close. But I rarely facilitate large events online. I am sure we’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn together. Thanks for sharing Mike! Thomas Ps. I shared a template in the docu from the meeting - for how I create the space in Zoom whiteboard Skickat från Outlook för iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________ Från: Mike Clement via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> Skickat: Friday, 17 July 2026 17:15:19 Kopia: Open Space Listserv <everyone@oslist.org> Ämne: [OSList] Re: Recap of today's OST Practitioner Online Gathering: "How to create connection in an online OST?" Would love to have been a part of the gathering! I'm sure many others are experimenting with a lot of different things, but what I have found to be most effective so far is to use a combination of Gather and Miro. I've been running https://elsummit.com/ and https://scunconf.com/ online for several years now and started using a zoom meeting with links from a google doc but have found that Gather and Miro give us a lot (not all) of the feeling of an in person open space. Would love to talk more about it with anybody that is curious, or especially those that have had a differen experience and/or have found other more effective ways! Thanks, Mike -- http://blog.softwareontheside.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclement/ On Fri, Jul 17, 2026 at 10:52 AM Thomas Herrmann via OSList <everyone@oslist.org<mailto:everyone@oslist.org>> wrote: Thank you, dear Tres for inviting, creating and guiding us through the meeting. Lovely to meet so many experienced and curious friends. It was interesting to see and experience what you have developed using Google sheets et cetera. I also liked the awareness that also online meetings are in person :-) This sure was! What a kickstart for the Open Space Lab! Grateful 🙏 Thomas Herrmann Skickat från Outlook för iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________ Från: Tres Jiménez via OSList <everyone@oslist.org<mailto:everyone@oslist.org>> Skickat: fredag, juli 17, 2026 02:08 Till: Open Space Listserv <everyone@oslist.org<mailto:everyone@oslist.org>> Ämne: [OSList] Recap of today's OST Practitioner Online Gathering: "How to create connection in an online OST?" Hello OST community, A group of practitioners gathered online today (July 16) to explore a question many of us are sitting with: How do we create genuine connection in an online Open Space? The virtual format has opened doors — practitioners joining from different time zones, organizations experimenting with hybrid gatherings, the reach expanding. But the question of connection remains live. How do we hold space through a screen the way we hold it in a circle? What We Explored Four themes emerged: * Shared documents as living space — using collaborative tools (like spreadsheets) to minimize version control and keep conversation flowing between sessions * Warming the digital room — what connection activities or practices help people arrive and feel present before diving into the work * Zoom logistics for full-day sessions — the practical choreography of breakout rooms across multiple rounds * Creating container online — Harrison Owen's reminder that "when you enter that circle you are holding those people's lives in your hands" — and what that means when the circle is virtual Resources We managed and captured our meeting using a shared Google Sheets. Please take a look for links, templates, and ideas. You're welcome to view, add, and take what's useful: Open Space Resources — Google Sheet<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r2PWz4RbrjzpK7Yg-xkJxgiEKQxIlRy_TN_Mxl8OQwY/edit?usp=sharing> I am grateful to have a way to continue learning together — through monthly Open Space Labs where we can share what we're trying, ask what's hard, and keep the conversation alive. Always learning, Tres -- [cid:ii_19f70a264727e28d18b1] OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org<mailto:everyone@oslist.org> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org<mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org> See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org