Group XI (2004-2006) News
National Seminar – Energy Issues, March 12-18, 2005
by: Jonathan Niehaus, Group XI participant, Port Washington
The National Seminar to Washington D.C. was an interesting culmination
of everything that had happened to the group so far. The trip allowed
us to draw on and compare what we had studied about the workings
of government at the State level during our first session in Madison,
it made us reflect on personal reasons for wanting to be a leader
that we considered in Tomahawk, and it further illustrated the vast
diversity and intricacy of issues that our society faces that we
saw during the Milwaukee session.
Everyone came to Washington with heads cluttered with a disparate
and exhausting collection of readings that examined issues and questions
concerning energy both nationally and internationally. Throughout
the course of the week our awareness of the circumstances concerning
energy in our society and how it is interrelated to our economy,
health, culture and future grew. The complexity and vastness of the
problems and possibilities were explored through sessions with lobbyists,
consultants, Congressmen, congressional aides, authors, and a wide
variety of characters that inhabit the nation’s capital. There
were contradictions in research, multiple variations of opinion,
and a catalogue of possible solutions and probable causes.
As we explored the city and visited and learned from its populace
we also added to our understanding of what leadership entails and
what demands it often makes when one is confronted with multifaceted
issues that embody a twisted relationship of economic, geographic,
governmental, developmental, scientific, and social politics.
The monuments of Washington served as a profound backdrop and reminder
of the sacrifice and integrity that have characterized the many leaders
that have shaped and continue to shape the path this country is taking.
They served as a reminder that difficult times have always faced
our nation, but that we continue to persevere and prosper through
the determination and insight of those who choose to lead.
This seminar was co-chaired by Al Anderson, Director
for the Center for Community Economic Development, UW-Extension
and David Wernecke, Director, Baraboo Range Preservation
Association.
Group XI in Washington, DC
Jonathan Niehaus (R), participant talking to
speaker, Stewart Patrick (L)
L-R: Dave Wernecke, Leanne Ketterhagen, Dawn
Olson, Ellen Rulseh, Annie Smith, Gerilynn Perkins, Al Anderson
Small group presentation, L-R: Michael Berg,
Leanne Ketterhagen, Paul Mayou, Bill Von Rohr, Ellen Rulseh, Elmer
Dvorachek
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