Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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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.” The group laughs, often applauds, they recognize themselves, they have seen this in many meetings. I ask them, rhetorically, “Have you ever experienced this kind of argument before? They all nod their heads. Everyone wants the group to repeat their story line: I have Rob and Crista return to the story teller group. I turn to the others: “What Rob and Crista both want is to win this argument, and have everybody else repeat their sentence as the entire story line.” I ask Rob to repeat his sentence, and for the others to repeat it exactly as he said it. Rob: A porcupine walked into the meadow.” Kathy: A porcupine walked into the meadow.” Laura: A porcupine walked into the meadow.” Jon: A porcupine walked into the meadow.” Debbie: A porcupine walked into the meadow.” MINUTES—Eugene City Council February 6-7, 2009 Page 21 Goals Setting Session