Group XI (2004-2006) News

Global Economics Seminar, November 8-11, 2005
The Hudson Campaign

by Bill Von Rohr, Group 11 participant

In addition to the Global Economics Seminar, Group XI performed a service project at a Habitat for Humanity House in Hudson, and on November 12 attended the International Orientation for Chile and Argentina.

Global Economics Seminar
As the colorful leaves continued their descent to the earth, the call went out. Group XI, always at the ready, reacted like a lean mean fighting machine, and in some mysterious way heard the call and started their journey on November 8th. Some braved the journey by themselves, following the concrete pathways to their destinations. Others joined forces and made the journey together, sometime squeezing a significant amount of humanity into a van or car. As their journey started, little did these voyagers know that shortly they would find themselves confronted by knowledge that few knew existed and the challenges of this campaign would be great. But whether alone or in a unit, the journey eventually ended at a community called Hudson, located on the shores of the St. Croix River. Standing on tip toes and facing the setting sun, Group XI could see the imposing skyline of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

After storing their campaign gear in the barracks, the fighting unit met for evening activities Tuesday, restoring friendships and bonds that have been established over the past 16 months. We were greeted by our leaders for the 4 day campaign, Gary Kirkling, Regional Manager, Western Wisconsin Technical College and alumni Group V, and Mark Brodziski, Program Director of Business & Community Programs, USDA Rural Development and alumni Group IX. The mission and objectives were presented. The challenges made brutally evident. The Group would again expose their body and mind to the rigors of intense learning. Gary and Mark detailed the campaign to the hushed audience of Group XI; global economics and a foreign term by the name of “globalization”. You could sense the apprehension, the doubts whether mind and body would be up to another learning assault that would take the Group outside of the comfort of the US into some globalization plane or reality, certainly where the Group had never gone before. As the sun set and the moon rose over the St Croix River, the combatants quietly walked to their barracks. You could sense the inner fear of what they would confront in the coming days. Would they be up to the challenge that this new alien called economic globalization would throw at them.

The dawn broke on what certainly would not be your regular Wednesday. The Group XI warriors communed for breakfast and at 8:00 AM the initial assault began. It was a brutal confrontation that only through guts and stamina did the Group survive. The battle commenced with Hamid Tabesh, Professor of Economics & Director of Center for Economic Research, UW-River Falls, throwing “the mechanics of the global economy” at the team. Although challenging, the Group’s minds were open and ready to absorb the knowledge. No quarter was given before Brad Pfaff, Senior Staff member for Congressman Ron Kind, continued the assault and attempted to attack the Group from the right on the “Basics of Global Economics”. Some of the Group took direct hits and staggered to get out of the firing line, but the call for containment went out, defensive positions were quickly taken. But the wounds were hardly bandaged before Brian Doudna, Executive Director, Eau Claire Economic Development Corporation came unexpectedly from behind and hit the Group with a barrage of “The Global Economy and Its Impact on Wisconsin”. A direct impact on the home turf. Breaches in the Group’s line were becoming evident, mind causalities were mounting, so General Paul Mayou called a retreat and everyone grabbed box lunches and made their escape on a military transport camouflaged as a yellow school bus. The transport headed west at breakneck speed, to the protection within the caverns of Minneapolis.

The Group’s relief was short lived. The troops sought shelter in the Federal Reserve Building in an upstairs board room with a clear view of the surrounding battle field and for additional safety, blast curtains on the windows were lowered. Little did they know that who they thought was a co patriot was turned into Toby Madden, a senior economic analyst for the Federal Reserve. Mr. Madden blindsided the group with “Economic Trends-Upper Midwest, Economics, Changes that are making a Global Impact, and How Money Moves Around the World”. Everyone dove for cover, but not before a military surveillance camera was confiscated. The group was led single file through the catacombs, passing money and check processing centers and eventually arrived at a containment area. But again, quick actions by General Mayou enabled an escape in the military vehicle, driving madly through the canyons of Minneapolis until we reached the Cenex Harvest Fortress. Rations were generously provided and everyone was assuming safety was within reach. However, without any warning an unexpected skirmish broke out by officers from Harvest States Foundation, Land O’ Lakes, and International Grain Marketing by a crack knowledge team of Bill Nelson, Judy Hogan and Guy Hartwig. The Group XI played coy, appearing to absorb this influx of knowledge but minds were steeled against this strange and unusual attack. During a lull in the battle and using some clever slight of hand, the group slipped out. The military vehicle deftly returned to the downtown area of Minneapolis, parking on a secluded side street. Under the cover of darkness the Group slipped into an excellent restaurant for dinner, an underground safe house known as Caspian Bistro. The owner was an excellent host and the Group’s frayed nerves were calmed as the delicious dinner was served. Strategically placed lookouts made sure the street was clear and we returned to the military vehicle and took dark side streets back to the barracks in Hudson.

Wednesday evening various scouting parties went out to local establishments to get the lay of the night land. There was an orange team that assessed the fun and joy of the local businesses. The blue team searched for enemy captives to provide necessary love and compassion. The gold team sought release from the continued confinement of order and discipline. And the green team sought repose from the continued impact of facts and analysis. By 2:00 AM all troops were back in the barracks in their assigned bunks. Sleep came quickly and quietly as the moon lit the battle field outside.

Thursday dawned as a still and cold morning with frost on the ground. The Group split into 6 lean mean fighting machines and headed out for reconnaissance. Codes names were National Security, Culture, Politics, Financial Markets, Technology and Environment. Versus using the normal military transport vehicle, each team secured a plain clothes type vehicle, had it ready for economic combat and headed out. The targets were as varied as the stripes on a giraffe. They included Ciranda, Inc., contact name-Mr. Prescott H. Bergh. University of Wisconsin-River Falls, contact names Professor Kelly Cain and Dr. Renee May. HH Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, contact name Professor G. Edward Schuh. Sajan, Inc, contact name Angel Zimmerman. Cardinal Glass, contact names Randy Stoda and Bonnie Christenson.  Malcheski International Consulting, contact name Michael Malcheski. Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, contact name Patricia Jurewicz. All teams returned safety with no serious skirmishes or contacts with economic forces.

That evening, a 4 star general, Dr. James Bensen, former President, Bemidji State University, gave the troops a huge boost in confidence by explaining how to compete in a global economy. His rousing speech told the teams to remain focused at all costs as the highest priority. The second most critical need was to create valued relationships with all organizations within their community. Between focused purpose and strong relationships, a team could move mountains in terms of competing in this new world of globalization. That evening ended with the Group XI recharged and ready for the next economic battle. The reception following Dr. Bensen’s talk was sponsored by the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Alumni Association.

Dawn broke over Hudson Friday morning. The Group XI troops awoke, recharged with basic rations at the canteen, and again got ready to face the adversaries of the day. And, they did not have long to wait. Mr. Lou Janowski, a consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce released a salvo that caught everyone off guard, “Examples of How Global Economy Impacts Wisconsin’s Economy”. Mr. Janowski presented a detailed, fact filled presentation that although challenging for the troops, they withstood the hail of facts and countered with solid questions for the presenter.

The balance of the morning was filled with the 6 teams reporting back on their reconnaissance of the targets from Thursday. The presentations were excellent and provided all the troops with the facts and hard core economic and globalization reality that they could compete in this global world.

L-R: Small Group Presentations, Scott Koegler, Glen Calnin, Gerilynn Perkins, Katherine Stewart

Service Project
Friday afternoon Group XI traveled to assist Habitat for Humanity in the construction of a home for a single mother with 5 children. One of the most interesting observations was that at one point 20+ people were standing around at 2:00 PM being told what they were going to do, and then within 2 minutes, 20+ people were “climbing” all over the house making progress. Jobs included placing sheathing on the garage and the roof, digging out around the foundation to insulate it with Styrofoam, water proofing part of the basement walls, and applying insulating wrap to the exterior. Before the Group knew it, is was 4:00 PM and time to gather tools, have pictures taken, and head back to camp. It was a battlefield experience that everyone would remember and cherish.

Group XI at Habitat for Humanity work site in Hudson

International Orientation
Friday evening was a unique experience for the Group XI troops. For one of the first times, spouses and significant others were invited to have dinner with the Group at the mess hall. And a strange people, calling themselves only “X” also joined the Group. After dinner, everyone attempted to learn how to dance the Tango. It was an interesting evening watching 40+ bodies flow around and across the room as our Tango instructor attempted to convert us from 40 pairs of stationary feet, to 40 pairs of dancing feet, as the beat went on. After the training class, some of the braver troops ventured out in camouflage gear to a restaurant in downtown Hudson and took their dancing feet into the public realm. Fortunately, the Hudson newspapers and reporters were not on the scene and the Group’s cover was not exposed. As heads hit the bunks Friday night, there were silent smiles that the campaign to learn and understand this new world of economic terms and globalization was surmounted and the battle truly won.

Saturday the troops assembled one more time to look forward 5 months to an event in their lives that will bring new experiences, 2 weeks in Chile and Argentina. Gerald Campbell, Professor of Ag and Applied Economics, UW-Madison and Chair for this seminar, prepared the troops for this adventure and discussing the learning opportunities that will certainly present themselves.

Finally, late afternoon arrived and the Group XI troops gathered their gear, said goodbye to their team members and started the long cold ride back to their home barracks. A hush came over Hudson as the battle ended and calm returned to the city by the river. It was a week to remember.

Top | Return to Group XI