Group IX – Social Issues Seminar

The Social Change Issues seminar was held in Appleton on January 15-18, 2002, chaired by JoAnn Stormer, Executive Director, Leadership Wisconsin Program. The seminar theme was understanding and resolving conflict from personal, interpersonal, and societal perspectives.

Participants were charged with the following objectives:

• Examine their own patterns and responses to resolving conflict.
• Understand the root cause for violence in our society.
• Understand how public policies, social values and ethics influence how we resolve conflict in society.
• Learn about the factors that lead to aggressive, violent and criminal behavior and what can be done to prevent or respond to these factors.
• Examine various methods that leaders are using to resolve conflict.
• Understand the criminal justice system.

Local alumni organized dinner and curling lessons for Group IX participants on January 17. Sponsors for the curling lessons included Bernegger Consulting, Inc., Cooperative Resources International, and Wisconsin Public Service.

Group IX participants closed the week-long seminar by rolling up their sleeves and participating in a service project for the Harbor House Domestic Abuse Shelter in Appleton. Within two hours, the group cleaned and carried out a basement full of old furniture and equipment to the parking lot for future removal. Shown below is Group IX participants standing in front of the rubble pile.