Things here moving very quickly now. I feel lucky to be working with some fantastic people, on what seem like important issues for all of us. Here are some of the peaks rising now on the horizon…
The GivingConference gathering momentum, as a remarkable group of people are committing to join us that event in July. Connecting philanthropists, financial advisors, community activists and organizers, and online publishers… for Giving to Flourish.
In August I’ll be in Colorado Springs to open some space for a series of events as the UnseenCostsOfWar symposium gets ready to go on the road, creating community connections and supporting military personnel all around the country.
In September, I’ll open space for the Faith in Place Taste and See conference here in Chicago, connecting spiritual and food practices. Then it looks like we’ll do another Open Space Training and Practice Workshop, this one in Asheville, NC.
In October, I’ll be in Kathmandu, Nepal, leading the third Imagine Nepal event in as many years, in Open Space Tech, focusing on creating peaceful and prosperous futures for Nepal. This is pencilled out as a three-day conference and one-day training workshop, blending Appreciative Inquiry and Open Space Technology practices. My thanks to the Open Space Institute USA for their generous funding of my travel costs on this one.
After some time on retreat, there is some chance that we will convene the first-ever Open Space on Opening Space in the United States. As OST has run around the world, American practitioners’ attention has often been dedicated to international conversations and conferences. This is a chance to renew our own practice here in the States. We’ll start with a conference call on July 14th and see if it doesn’t have the legs to become a two-day conference.
Then in November, it looks like I may be leaving for almost a year in London. I have a homebase, but have not yet settled work arrangements there. So if you or good people you know are in London, and have some interest in the kinds of things that show up in this website… Peace, Giving, Compassion, Open Space, Organization and Community Development, and the like… I’d sure be glad to make their acquaintance.
Looks like there will be a number of things to be back here in Chicago for, throughout that year, so it’s not as if I’m leaving town altogether. And the plan for now is to be back here permanently by the end of next year.
Finally, a note of congratulations to my sister Theresa and her partner George who will be married this Sunday… and to my brother Mark and his bride, to be wed in August.
It may be a bit slower around here in GlobalChicago bloggerland, but rest assured that it will be for lack of time, not lack of news!
I hope you do make it to London, Michael. Even though I’m only an occasional visitor to your blog, the themes here resonate strongly with me – it would be good to meet up at some point. I know some other bloggers here too who I think would be interested. I’ll watch this space for developments!
michael, you may know that george por is in london now, working with a team of consultants, some of whom are OST facilitators apparently.
get out to see the stone circles while you are there! and glastonbury tor…
Thank you, Christy. I figure we all just keep doing what we can.
And Andy, I would love to meet up in London. I’ll let you know when the schedule is settled! Thanks!
Wow Michael! It’s breathtaking and exciting just to read about your upcoming year! And gladdening to know that you will be opening spaces and touching hearts & minds in so many places round the country and abroad.