Hi dear OS community, I need some advice on the following. We're organizing an Open Space in Brussels on May 1st on the theme of labour. It is the first one of a series of 3 this year that will happen in different cities in Belgium (significant themes on significant places : this one will take place in the Brussels Commons hub). Our umbrella name is Open Space 100 - Breaking Boundaries. We're aiming for 100 people to join the conversation every time. The calling question on May 1st is : "Reclaiming work : what else is possible?" Now is the time to bring out the invitation. In our group of 3 we had the conversation on whether or not we would include a small amount of information on what is Open Space. I know Harrison Owen suggests not to do so, but my 2 mates argue that no one will show up if we do not give some more explanation on the essence of Open Space, a deep dive into collective intelligence, the possibility of hosting a conversation on a topic that matters to you. My question is : What are your suggestions on this topic : should we include some more information on OS on the invitation and what would a possible inspiring framing be in 1 or 2 sentences that already worked well for you? Thanks a lot and wishing you a fine day. Damien Damien Versele Leerarchitect Aannemer van (diepe) verandering 0032 - 494 89 64 23 https://www.damienversele.be <https://www.damienversele.be/>

Dear Damien, have a look at this invitation > http://www.meine-openspace-praxis.de/Dateien/6-Einladung-E.pdf its in English and the part "What is Open Space" takes about 10% of the invitation. In addition, the invitation to "Equal Opportunities" has many other details that might be of interest to you. For more examples and other materials see > http://www.meine-openspace-praxis.de/ Another hint: If you go to > https://www.openspaceworldmap.org/country/BE and > https://www.openspaceworldmap.org/country/NL you will see 28 facilitators in Belgium and nearby Netherlands. Seasoned hands. Have a great day and all the best for your project Greetings from Berlin mmp Am 28.02.2025 um 10:30 schrieb Damien Versele via OSList: > > Hi dear OS community, I need some advice on the following. > > We’re organizing an Open Space in Brussels on May 1^st on the theme of > labour. It is the first one of a series of 3 this year that will > happen in different cities in Belgium (significant themes on > significant places : this one will take place in the Brussels Commons > hub).  Our umbrella name is Open Space 100 - Breaking Boundaries. > > We’re aiming for 100 people to join the conversation every time.  The > calling question on May 1^st is : “Reclaiming work : what else is > possible?” > > Now is the time to bring out the invitation.  In our group of 3 we had > the conversation on whether or not we would include a small amount of > information on what is Open Space. I know Harrison Owen suggests not > to do so, but my 2 mates argue that no one will show up if we do not > give some more explanation on the essence of Open Space, a deep dive > into collective intelligence, the possibility of hosting a > conversation on a topic that matters to you. > > My question is : What are your suggestions on this topic : should we > include some  more information on OS on the invitation and what would > a possible inspiring framing be in 1 or 2 sentences that already > worked well for you? > > Thanks a lot and wishing you a fine day. > > Damien > > Damien Versele > > Leerarchitect > > Aannemer van (diepe) verandering > > 0032 – 494 89 64 23 > > https://www.damienversele.be > > > OSList mailing list --everyone@oslist.org > To unsubscribe send an email toeveryone-leave@oslist.org > See the archives here:https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org Michael M Pannwitz Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany +49 30 7728000mmpannwitz@posteo.de

Hi Damien, We have an upcoming Open Space on housing that addresses people who are presently experiencing homelessness or coercive housing situations (or used to do so) as well as people who work on the topic as advisers, activists, or scholars. For some this will be their first participation in a conference, for others their first OS. We want to make it as inclusive as we possibly can. We decided to keep the explanation very short, the following sentence closes our invitation (I translate from German): The conference will be held as an Open Space [we used the English term and then put the German translation, offener Raum, in brackets], which means everyone can contribute, everyone will be heard. Here the German original: Die Konferenz findet als Open Space (offener Raum) statt, das heißt, jede*r kann sich einbringen, alle werden gehört. Best, Bian Bian Sukrow (they/them) Am 28.02.25 um 10:30 schrieb Damien Versele via OSList: > > Hi dear OS community, I need some advice on the following. > > We’re organizing an Open Space in Brussels on May 1^st on the theme of > labour. It is the first one of a series of 3 this year that will > happen in different cities in Belgium (significant themes on > significant places : this one will take place in the Brussels Commons > hub).  Our umbrella name is Open Space 100 - Breaking Boundaries. > > We’re aiming for 100 people to join the conversation every time.  The > calling question on May 1^st is : “Reclaiming work : what else is > possible?” > > Now is the time to bring out the invitation.  In our group of 3 we had > the conversation on whether or not we would include a small amount of > information on what is Open Space. I know Harrison Owen suggests not > to do so, but my 2 mates argue that no one will show up if we do not > give some more explanation on the essence of Open Space, a deep dive > into collective intelligence, the possibility of hosting a > conversation on a topic that matters to you. > > My question is : What are your suggestions on this topic : should we > include some  more information on OS on the invitation and what would > a possible inspiring framing be in 1 or 2 sentences that already > worked well for you? > > Thanks a lot and wishing you a fine day. > > Damien > > Damien Versele > > Leerarchitect > > Aannemer van (diepe) verandering > > 0032 – 494 89 64 23 > > https://www.damienversele.be > > > OSList mailing list --everyone@oslist.org > To unsubscribe send an email toeveryone-leave@oslist.org > See the archives here:https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

While I don’t always call it Open Space, I always include a description of what to expect. I also put something about who has been invited. As Michael noted, it doesn’t take up much space. Examples are on the invitation tab for any of the events on this page <https://journalismthatmatters.org/events/>. Some mention Open Space by name, others do not. Reading through them now, I think this is one of the clearest: Experience Engagement: How communities and journalism can thrive together <https://journalismthatmatters.org/experienceengagement/invitation/>. Peggy __________________________ Peggy Holman peggy@peggyholman.com Bellevue, WA 98006 206-948-0432 www.peggyholman.com Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity <https://peggyholman.com/papers/engaging-emergence/> "An angel told me that the only way to step into the fire and not get burnt, is to become the fire". -- Drew Dellinger > On Feb 28, 2025, at 11:18 AM, Bian Sukrow via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> wrote: > > Hi Damien, > > We have an upcoming Open Space on housing that addresses people who are presently experiencing homelessness or coercive housing situations (or used to do so) as well as people who work on the topic as advisers, activists, or scholars. For some this will be their first participation in a conference, for others their first OS. We want to make it as inclusive as we possibly can. We decided to keep the explanation very short, the following sentence closes our invitation (I translate from German): > > The conference will be held as an Open Space [we used the English term and then put the German translation, offener Raum, in brackets], which means everyone can contribute, everyone will be heard. > > Here the German original: > Die Konferenz findet als Open Space (offener Raum) statt, das heißt, jede*r kann sich einbringen, alle werden gehört. > > Best, > > Bian > > Bian Sukrow (they/them) > > Am 28.02.25 um 10:30 schrieb Damien Versele via OSList: >> Hi dear OS community, I need some advice on the following. >> We’re organizing an Open Space in Brussels on May 1st on the theme of labour. It is the first one of a series of 3 this year that will happen in different cities in Belgium (significant themes on significant places : this one will take place in the Brussels Commons hub). Our umbrella name is Open Space 100 - Breaking Boundaries. >> We’re aiming for 100 people to join the conversation every time. The calling question on May 1st is : “Reclaiming work : what else is possible?” >> Now is the time to bring out the invitation. In our group of 3 we had the conversation on whether or not we would include a small amount of information on what is Open Space. I know Harrison Owen suggests not to do so, but my 2 mates argue that no one will show up if we do not give some more explanation on the essence of Open Space, a deep dive into collective intelligence, the possibility of hosting a conversation on a topic that matters to you. >> My question is : What are your suggestions on this topic : should we include some more information on OS on the invitation and what would a possible inspiring framing be in 1 or 2 sentences that already worked well for you? >> >> Thanks a lot and wishing you a fine day. >> Damien >> >> Damien Versele >> Leerarchitect >> Aannemer van (diepe) verandering >> 0032 – 494 89 64 23 >> https://www.damienversele.be <https://www.damienversele.be/> >> <image001.jpg> >> >> >> >> 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 > 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

What I've told clients about "OS" in invitations: Anyone who's coming who hasn't experienced it or at least heard something about it will be mystified and generally unimpressed with calling it Open Space. Anyone who's familiar with OS will recognize it in a very short description. See the "what will happen" section of this very short piece for what you can promise. https://openspaceworld.org/wp2/what-is/ It's good to say something about who's coming. It's good to say how it works. All very briefly as others have noted. It's also sometimes worth saying something about what we know will happen. But this is also good fodder for sponsors talking with invitees about what will happen. The honest answer is "Nobody knows." But these are also true: What will happen? We never know exactly what will happen when we open the space for people to do their most important work, but we can guarantee these results when any group gets into Open Space: 1. All of the issues that are MOST important to the participants will be raised. 2. All of the issues raised will be addressed by those participants most qualified and capable of getting something done on each of them. 3. In a time as short as one or two days, all of the most important ideas, discussion, data, recommendations, conclusions, questions for further study, and plans for immediate action will be documented in one comprehensive report — finished, printed and in the hands of participants when they leave. 4. When appropriate and time is allowed for it, the total contents of this report document can be focused and prioritized in a matter of a few hours, even with very large groups (100’s). 5. After an event, all of these results can be made available to an entire organization or community within days of the event, so the conversation can invite every stakeholder into implementation — right now. 6. AND… results like these can be planned and implemented faster than any other kind of so-called “large-group intervention.” It is literally possible to accomplish in days and weeks what some other approaches take months and years to do. As noted, not all will apply for all events... certainly the first few, but in shorter events sometimes there isn't time, and sometimes there's not the need, get all six done. Also, worth noting that while it's true that the meeting can be described as "what will happen" ...in the invitation, it's also possible, and i think better, to frame it as "you... " or "anyone who wants to... " or similar... "will quickly create an agenda, spend the entire meeting working on what's most important to you,... " and so on, making it more "what you will be able to do" rather than simply "what will happen." this is what makes it an invitation. m -- Michael Herman Michael Herman Associates 312-280-7838 (mobile) MichaelHerman.com OpenSpaceWorld.org On Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 4:35 PM Peggy Holman via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> wrote: > While I don’t always call it Open Space, I always include a description of > what to expect. I also put something about who has been invited. > > As Michael noted, it doesn’t take up much space. Examples are on the > invitation tab for any of the events on this page > <https://journalismthatmatters.org/events/>. Some mention Open Space by > name, others do not. Reading through them now, I think this is one of the > clearest: Experience Engagement: How communities and journalism can > thrive together > <https://journalismthatmatters.org/experienceengagement/invitation/>. > > Peggy > > __________________________ > Peggy Holman > peggy@peggyholman.com > > Bellevue, WA 98006 > 206-948-0432 > www.peggyholman.com > > Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval > into Opportunity <https://peggyholman.com/papers/engaging-emergence/> > > "An angel told me that the only way to step into the fire and not get > burnt, is to become > the fire". > -- Drew Dellinger > > > On Feb 28, 2025, at 11:18 AM, Bian Sukrow via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> > wrote: > > Hi Damien, > > We have an upcoming Open Space on housing that addresses people who are > presently experiencing homelessness or coercive housing situations (or used > to do so) as well as people who work on the topic as advisers, activists, > or scholars. For some this will be their first participation in a > conference, for others their first OS. We want to make it as inclusive as > we possibly can. We decided to keep the explanation very short, the > following sentence closes our invitation (I translate from German): > > The conference will be held as an Open Space [we used the English term and > then put the German translation, offener Raum, in brackets], which means > everyone can contribute, everyone will be heard. > > Here the German original: > Die Konferenz findet als Open Space (offener Raum) statt, das heißt, > jede*r kann sich einbringen, alle werden gehört. > > Best, > > Bian > > Bian Sukrow (they/them) > > > Am 28.02.25 um 10:30 schrieb Damien Versele via OSList: > > Hi dear OS community, I need some advice on the following. > We’re organizing an Open Space in Brussels on May 1st on the theme of > labour. It is the first one of a series of 3 this year that will happen in > different cities in Belgium (significant themes on significant places : > this one will take place in the Brussels Commons hub). Our umbrella name > is Open Space 100 - Breaking Boundaries. > We’re aiming for 100 people to join the conversation every time. The > calling question on May 1st is : “Reclaiming work : what else is > possible?” > Now is the time to bring out the invitation. In our group of 3 we had the > conversation on whether or not we would include a small amount of > information on what is Open Space. I know Harrison Owen suggests not to do > so, but my 2 mates argue that no one will show up if we do not give some > more explanation on the essence of Open Space, a deep dive into collective > intelligence, the possibility of hosting a conversation on a topic that > matters to you. > My question is : What are your suggestions on this topic : should we > include some more information on OS on the invitation and what would a > possible inspiring framing be in 1 or 2 sentences that already worked well > for you? > > Thanks a lot and wishing you a fine day. > Damien > > Damien Versele > Leerarchitect > Aannemer van (diepe) verandering > 0032 – 494 89 64 23 > https://www.damienversele.be > <image001.jpg> > > > 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

Hi Damien, What I have learned from my practice is that the best invitation is one that is concrete and inspiring, not explanatory. Best regards, Agustin   On Friday, February 28, 2025, 02:19:41 PM GMT-5, Bian Sukrow via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> wrote: Hi Damien, We have an upcoming Open Space on housing that addresses people who are presently experiencing homelessness or coercive housing situations (or used to do so) as well as people who work on the topic as advisers, activists, or scholars. For some this will be their first participation in a conference, for others their first OS. We want to make it as inclusive as we possibly can. We decided to keep the explanation very short, the following sentence closes our invitation (I translate from German): The conference will be held as an Open Space [we used the English term and then put the German translation, offener Raum, in brackets], which means everyone can contribute, everyone will be heard. Here the German original: Die Konferenz findet als Open Space (offener Raum) statt, das heißt, jede*r kann sich einbringen, alle werden gehört. Best, Bian Bian Sukrow (they/them) Am 28.02.25 um 10:30 schrieb Damien Versele via OSList: Hi dear OS community, I need some advice on the following.  We’re organizing an Open Space in Brussels on May 1st on the theme of labour. It is the first one of a series of 3 this year that will happen in different cities in Belgium (significant themes on significant places : this one will take place in the Brussels Commons hub).  Our umbrella name is Open Space 100 - Breaking Boundaries.  We’re aiming for 100 people to join the conversation every time.  The calling question on May 1st is : “Reclaiming work : what else is possible?” Now is the time to bring out the invitation.  In our group of 3 we had the conversation on whether or not we would include a small amount of information on what is Open Space. I know Harrison Owen suggests not to do so, but my 2 mates argue that no one will show up if we do not give some more explanation on the essence of Open Space, a deep dive into collective intelligence, the possibility of hosting a conversation on a topic that matters to you.  My question is : What are your suggestions on this topic : should we include some  more information on OS on the invitation and what would a possible inspiring framing be in 1 or 2 sentences that already worked well for you?   Thanks a lot and wishing you a fine day. Damien   Damien Versele Leerarchitect Aannemer van (diepe) verandering 0032 – 494 89 64 23 https://www.damienversele.be   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