Hi lads..when entering text press control v,or paste from edit toolbar above (sometimes it doesn't show so this way you have a choice of ways to paste), it works better than right click paste ...

Please sign your names at the bottom and take credit for your work.
Give me a shout if theres any problems
Good on ya all !!
Permies Rock...Jeannie
;)


This page is being developed by the first years and second years who all came together in an Open Space day on the 26th February 2008. Open Space Technology is a revolutionary method of formulating decisions in larger groups of people and it also has the aim of gathering information in a fun dynamic way. Harrison Owen facilitated many group meetings, and found that the most effective work was done and more decisions made during coffee breaks, when people were more at ease.


Photos will be put up of the process and many more contributions are being put up shortly. see open space technology site http://www.openspaceworld.com/



The one law is The Law of Two Feet, or in some cases, The Law of Personal Mobility. It says simply that you, and only you, know where you can learn and contribute the most to the work that must take place today. It demands that you use your two feet to go where you need to go and do what you need to do. If at any time today, you find that you are not learning or contributing, you have the right and the responsibility to move... find another breakout session, visit the food table, take a walk in the sunshine, make a phone call -- but DO NOT waste time.

This simple rule makes everyone fully responsible for the quality of their own work and work experience. It creates bumblebees who buzz from session to session, cross-pollinating and connecting pieces of the work. It creates butterflies who may not join any formal sessions, choosing instead to float at the edges. They create the space for everyone to appreciate the energies and synergies unfolding in the work of the conference. Sometimes the most amazing solutions seem to come out of nowhere -- so that's where butterflies tend to look for them.

After a quick logistical review, the facilitator invites anyone who's ready to come to the centre of the circle, grab a marker and a sheet of paper, and write down their burning question, passionate issue, or great idea. To the surprise of many, a number of people spring from their chairs and are quickly on all fours in the centre of the circle, scribbling their offerings. As each one finishes, they read their issue(s) out loud. These aren't speeches; just simple announcements. "My name is _____, my issue is ______," and we're on to the next one, while they tape their sheet to the wall and assign it a place and a time (from a pre-arranged set of space/time choices). This is how even very large groups can create two or three days of agenda in just one hour. As the wall fills, those who were at first surprised, find words for their issue and grab a marker. And then, as fast as it started, it's done.

Having done the impossible in the first hour, the energy level is pretty high now. The facilitator gives a few more instructions and the whole group moves to the wall and signs up for the sessions they want to attend. Minutes later, the first sessions start without any announcement or instructions, because everybody knows where they need to be. Suddenly the large circle is many small circles, in the corners of the room or in separate breakout spaces, each working on some important part of the main theme. Every session has been proposed by someone who really cares about that item and has taken responsibility for making sure it gets addressed. In longer meetings, the convener is also responsible for recording the main points and conclusions reached in his or her session.

As the first sessions finish, at roughly the scheduled time, the second sessions begin. If the work isn't finished, it continues or a sequel is scheduled. Some people have spent the entire 1 1/2-hour session on one topic; others have bumblebeed or butterflied around, connecting different issues. Everything is moving -- people, ideas, resources, beliefs, relationships -- but it all revolves and relates to the intention stated in the invitation. This motion ebbs and flows, but the work continues, session after session. In multi-day meetings, everyone also assembles in the morning and evening for short "news" sessions, where things like new sessions, major breakthroughs, and dinner plans can be announced easily.

In some events, especially longer events, the proceedings are captured by computer. The person who convenes a session also takes responsibility for capturing the notes and typing them into the computer. The rule-of-thumb is that one day in Open Space will get you a lot of great discussion, two days will give you time to capture what happens in a typed proceedings document, and a third day (usually a half-day) will allow a more formal convergence to specific plans for immediate action.


From website www.openspacetechnology.com


Topic 1


1. How to use/relieve “pressure” to become positive actions
2. What areas are feeling the pressure specifically
3. Where does the “pressure” come from?
4. What is our RESPONSIBILITY?

· People expect you to be out educating others, feeling judgement from people thinking it’s your duty to go out and spread the word
· Concept of personal responsibility – one person should only be responsible for themselves, empower others to be responsible for themselves –

YOU CAN’T CHANGE OR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHERS

• Firstly use the course to skill up for life
• positive options are plentiful.
• Beginning on the ground with projects and skills
• Sharing using your duty as a positive opportunity

· Without realising it you are automatically being a positive influence, even if it is not always obvious

-LIVING BY EXAMPLE

· TEACHERS TO EXPLAIN-SOMETIMES LIVING IT IS ENOUGH

• Different ways of dealing with “pressure”:
• Go all out and canvas it or LIVE IT – this is me
• Teachers with agenda to recruit you for the front line?
• Permaculture-a new topic,
• Relatively unknown
• Few people educated in, everybody needed to spread this information
• Duty to educate.

· “EVOLUTION TAKES THE PATH OF LEAST EFFORT”

• Nothing works if you have to force it from yourself, you can’t try to be something you’re not
• It’s hard to define “what is permaculture?” when people ask you,
• Suggest a half day media brainstorm with Graham on “what is Permaculture to me?”
• The strength of permaculture is it’s flexibility, as a concept is open to any individual’s interpretation
• Give people an opportunity to talk through what it means to them
• Skills for positive interaction with public.
• Under the torch feeling being put on the spot,
• Expected to have something to say…emotional maturity,
  
• Being able to name/acknowledge your feelings, makes you closer to understanding, compassion, closer to moving mental blocks
• Somehow gaining the emotional/confidence skills to be able to deal with expectations
• Your own and others.
• Thomas’s class helps with these issues as you have the opportunity to get used to public speaking and other useful related skills

· GIVING YOURSELF TIME TO DIGEST PERMACULTURE

• It’s not an immediate thing
• Not expected to have a vast knowledge but a deep relationship with principles of permaculture and using them in your life
• There is a tension between doing whatever suits you and a sense of urgency based in reality/fact that you need to act, but if you’re not comfortable in your role you may do more harm
• People creating examples by living and other more dynamic people out there on front line
• David Holmgren-

PERMACULTURE FOR A BETTER WAY OF LIFE

• NOT TO CHANGE THE WORLD –
• People are naturally empowered into change
• EACH ONE TEACH ONE
• GUILT/BLAME/FEAR from culture and mainstream in reaction to Permaculture and environmental concerns
• FEAR as an evolutionary motivator?
• Climate change asking people to change for the good of the planet, altruistic reasons for Peakoil applying to peoples selfish needs
• Is FEAR the most useful/positive motivator/key to necessary changes?

Emma Burgess

Topic 2


As Davie Philip from Cultivate recently said, 'Every town should have one', and at Transition Town Kinsale, we have been discussing this topic for over a year now. It is a key point in the Kinsale Energy Descent Action Plan, so for these reasons I suggested it for the Open Space day.

Potential uses:

• Transition Town Kinsale
• Other community groups e.g. Youth café, Active Retirement group, Arts Week etc.
• Meetings
• Film screenings
• Coop
• Shop – books, organic/health/Fair Trade food
• Sustainable/environmentally sensitive produce
• Rehearsal/gig space
• Coffee mornings
• Community gardens
• Fundraising
• Information hub
• Courses
• Training
• Workshops
• Professional development
• Cyber café

• Need to research old and new properties in Kinsale
• Old Mill, Kinsale

• To connect with other community groups
• To be more inclusive

• Department of Environment – John Gormley
• West Cork Leader
• FAS
• Community Employment Scheme
• ENFO
• Local Agenda 21

• Create vision documents
• Business plan
• Conduct a survey locally – what do other groups want?

After the discussion when we all came to the feedback session, I said I was keen to see the practical application of some of these ideas. Two of us will take the discussion further and talk with Thomas Riedmuller who has recently been working with a community resource center in Dunmanway, West Cork.

Klaus Harvey




The following are bullet points from the students and teachers after the Open Space day.

- There was a great sense of purpose to every group. Every participant in each group was there for a definite reason and felt well listened to and actively listened themselves.
- Great way to generate many ideas.
- People enjoyed the freedom of choice, you can walk away at any time or sit outside by yourself.
- Everybody had input. With smaller groups everyone gets heard.
- Time went by fast. No boredom arose as can happen in many meetings. The process would ideally run for a full day.
- It was possible to make different connections with a greater number of people.
- Great that notes were taken so that people joining in at different times could get up to date quickly on what had been said previously.
- Graham noted that he really enjoyed the conversations which he thought were great. He also enjoyed speaking to us outside of the teacher role.
- People felt that the individual discussions should lead to further research and action.
-It was noted how fun and rewarding it was to have this integration between first and second years. Some people would like to see more of that. Thomas pointed out that this is an objective of the course but tat there are limits to the amount of activities we can do together as time is a restraint.
-Graham would like to continue the discussion of the ‘pressure’ of responsibility felt by permaculture students, which he said brought up many interesting issues. This could happen in school or as an evening after college. Other topics that generated a desire for further discussion were;
- Alternative government
- Community resource centre. People discussed what resources were already there and how we could make links with those groups. Maybe we could have another open space in which they are invited. Thomas pointed out that government funding overlaps between sustainability and environment so there is potential for funding. It was noted that the first step is to write a vision plan for the Sustainability Centre and to do a survey within the community as to what their needs are. Jeannie spoke of how much she enjoyed the discussion about cultural and racial integration within the community. There is potential to have events together such as music or food nights. Overall the feedback was very positive.

A great day so well done to everyone involved.
David Neavyn


- our own jargon (words like peak oil, permaculture, sustainability etc. don’t have the same or any meaning for many mainstream people)
- if we preach (anything) we get branded – it is then easy for other people
not to listen to us
- we are way ahead in our type of awareness about sustainability and related problems (whilst possibly being far back in other topics without knowing it)…other people need to get to insights in their own time (much against our own urges and impatience); people in general tend to resist change; each soul wants to be recognised in its independence and freedom, therefore preachers of anything are viewed with suspicion. People often defend their beliefs, habits or life-style by saying things like “but if everybody …it wouldn’t work”

- avoid preaching, instead: invite someone to give a talk or workshop
- telling people a personal story about a relevant incident or problem and as others for their opinion or advice
- try to pull people into sympathising over a shared problem
- practice translating our jargon into everyday language
- sample explanations of PC: - ‘a simpler way of life where all needs are met closer to home’
- ‘a method of designing systems that can be
- applied to all walks of life to increase efficiency and save resources.
- Tell the story of one example you are using, for instance about mulching.
- ask particularly older people for advice and possibly remind them of the merits of older methods (say of farming, transport, etc.)
- follow trends (of what is happening anyway in the group or in society at large, for example growing awareness around food, organics, energy etc.) and link into that.
- Present people with “a problem” and trust that their own thinking will lead to useful solutions
- Let them discover new insights and make it look like it’s their own ideas
- Don’t force anything down ‘their’ throats
- Listen carefully to people’s stories, concerns, frustrations and only after that offer what has worked for you in connection with a similar problem
- Help to make ideas reality
- Try to get results with people, something doable, small projects to get a sense of achievement, confidence and for building community
- Break big plans down into small steps
- Start with ourselves, walk our talk
- Look for allies
- Work with mainstream media, write articles, offer to be PR officer of local development groups and promote their work
- Use common aims such as health, saving money, having more fun, higher quality of life, services, products etc.
- Keep linking up
- Wait for the right moment to talk about Permaculture ideas

Thanks to Thomas Reidmuller our Community skills Teacher (Conflict Resolution and Consensus Decision Makiing & Facillitation) for helping us put out this information


-Anarchy: without authority, with personal responsibility to your community. -Peak Oil means end to big systems so also end to big government.
-Do things have to reach crisis point before we do anything. -Democracy has to localise. Decisions should be made from the ground up.
-Community can't be too exclusive v community has to be somewhat exclusive.
-Feelings of lack of control over the decisions that effect our lives.
-Noam Chomsky is an Anarchist.
-Anarchist usually not violent but media portrays them so.
-We're used to blaming institutions.
-Rotating positions of leadership or authority.
-Examples of Anarchy: Mandragon Co-ops in North Spain, (most co-op are an example of anarchy); the Zapatista autonomous zones in Chiapas, Mexico; civil war Spain; Argentina's occupied factories, 700 still up an running, see film "The Take".
-Permaculture pioneer David Holgram refers to Anarchists in his writings.
-Radical co-ops can often become money focused.
-Can't have anarchy in an oil rich society?
-How do you deal with crime.
-"Anarchist" word sounds scary, "libertarian socialist" similar meaning.
-Western society numbed by TV.
-Will anarchism deliver soap operas and cheap energy.
-It'll start small.
-Conspicuous consumption is a hungry monster.
-"The left hand of darkness", sci-fi book about anarchism.

Cathal Larkin