Retreat focuses on community's future

By CHRIS VETTER

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- New Ulm residents who are interested in the future of the area should attend attend a community-wide retreat, says Jeanne Albrecht, president of the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce.

The overnight retreat, "Continue the Journey," will bring community members of all ages together to discuss plans and goals for the community.

"Their entire focus is on the community and the future," Albrecht said.

The retreat, from noon Feb. 9 to 1 p.m. Feb. 10, takes place at the Oak Ridge Conference Center in Chaska.

Kathleen Berg, chairwoman of the committee organizing the retreat, said it is important for people to become involved.

"A lot of people have opinions within the community and think their voice isn't heard," Berg said. "This is an opportunity to get their voice heard. They all live in this community. They all have different visions of what is needed."

There have been four previous community-wide retreats, stretching back into the 1960s. The most recent was in 1996. New Ulm is seeing the benefits from that discussion today, says Berg.

"A lot of the ideas from the last retreat have been completed or are in the progress of being done," Berg said.

For instance, the 1996 retreat members discussed bike trails, housing expansion, bringing a new large retailer to town, restoring area wetlands and creating some type of recreation project at the Brown County Fairgrounds. All those projects have been done or are in the works, she noted.

About 80 people attended the 1996 retreat. Albrecht is aiming for a turnout of about 100 people this year.

Berg believes it is important for the retreat to be held outside New Ulm and Brown County.

"You never have a retreat where you live," Berg said. "It's supposed to be in seclusion so you can focus on the issue you are retreating about."

If the retreat were held locally, there would be more of a temptation to return home for the evening or to check in on local business matters, Berg believes.

"At night is when the real planning gets done, in the social setting," Berg said.

Don Bargen, an organization consultant and former vice president of the Blandin Foundation, will facilitate the retreat, Albrecht said. The people attending will choose the topics; Bargen will keep conversation flowing.

The retreat group will define priorities for the community, including an 'action plan' to accomplish those goals. Bargen will come to New Ulm four to six weeks after the retreat to find out how participants have progressed in laying out the action plan.

Jeff Gulden went on the last retreat and he plans to attend the upcoming event.

"It was a very diverse group of people who met," Gulden said. "It's a great chance to network and meet with people you wouldn't normally meet with."

For instance, several high school students will attend as well as many senior citizens.

Gulden believes that one major subject area will focus on how the community finds solutions to the recent school referendum failure.

The trip costs $125 and includes food and lodging. Albrecht thanked numerous organizations and companies that have donated to the retreat to offset costs. Participants need to bring is a change of clothes and ideas, Albrecht said.

The retreat is open to everyone in the community, Albrecht stressed, saying she wants people from all ages and occupations to become involved.

To find out more about the retreat or to sign up, contact Albrecht at the Chamber office at 233-4300. Registration must be completed by Jan. 23.