Item A: Goals Workshop Follow-Up

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With the ending of this story the large group will normally laugh and applaud. The members of the story group are often nervous about speaking and really think, trying to come up with the “right” sentence that makes sense. I repeat the learning I have had about communities of interest. “I have learned that every conflict has a community of interest, and that community which is drawn together has a community story to tell. But, they don’t know that. They each think they have the full story.” Everyone thinks they have the whole story: I have Rob and Crista step out in front of the story tellers, turning to face each other. I encourage them to repeat their sentence to each other, to let the other know what the “true” story is. Rob: “The porcupine walked into the meadow.” Crista: There he met a female porcupine who became his mate for life.” They both look at me, and I encourage them...... “The other person has not got it yet.” Keep repeating it until he gets it. Rob repeats to Crista: “The porcupine walked into the meadow.” Crista repeats: “There he met a female porcupine who became his mate for life.” with a tone of voice that is impatient. Rob repeats with more vigor: “The porcupine walked into the meadow.” Crista, her hands on her hips leans forward and repeats firmly: “There he met a female porcupine who became his mate for life!” Rob: “NO!!! The porcupine walked into the meadow!!” He speaks with steely confidence.... this is the truth! Crista, before he is done, loudly with emphasis and pointing her finger into his chest: “There he met a female porcupine who became his mate for life.” Rob, leaning forward now, with more emphasis and a loud voice: “The porcupine walked into the meadow.... and that is all there is to it!!” Crista, now leaning nose to nose with him, and just as loudly: “There he met a female porcupine who became his mate for life.” 32