My colleague Jo DeBolt and I just finished a 2.5 days all staff retreat with an international client using Open Space Technology. 120 people from dozens of countries and cultures were turned loose to make their own meeting using OST principles and, as always in my experience, it worked. Management skeptics were won over and participants felt they were more engaged than generally happens in a talking head type of meeting. Google it, check it out, it’s a great tool for meeting management.

Tuesday’s election begins a new chapter in American history. What will this chapter bring to the nonprofit sector?

Here are a few thoughts:

Increased participation in the recently concluded election process could translate into a sustained interest in the public affairs of the country, with young people, ethnic minorities and others being inspired to public service in larger numbers.

So much for the concern that there won’t be enough younger nonprofit leaders to replace aging baby boomers. I was never too worried about this, but now I believe that Obama will motivate large numbers of young people to join our sector.

Community organizing will gain the respect it deserves – after the unkind and unfounded characterization of COs by the Republican VP candidate – what was her name? I think CO has been vindicated as a profession. After all, what was it that won Obama the election, if not the most effective community organizing drive in our history?

Health care – if he can somehow get past the economic collapse our new president will face, we can expect health insurance for all children, at a minimum.

A partnership between the federal government and nonprofits. Obama understands both pieces of the social puzzle, and will welcome the appropriate role of nonprofits in our society.

That’s it for a start, anyone have further thoughts?