ICBM building political goodwill through debates

Northwestern Financial Review, Sep 1-Sep 14, 2004 by Bengtson, Tom

Building on goodwill it established two years ago sponsoring political debates, the Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota used its 2004 annual convention as another step in a 10-year effort to become the state's leading trade association.

Fourteen months on the job, ICBM President Will Haddeland is captaining the 42-year-old trade group into uncharted waters this election season. The organization plans to sponsor 28 legislative debates around the state in an effort to bring civility to the process of campaigning, and to win recognition for itself and community bankers. Haddeland announced the strategy about a year ago, freezing the association's long-standing but somewhat anemic political action committee, in favor of the more civic-minded effort to promote civil discourse. Bankers at the ICBM's annual convention August 5-8 at Alexandria's Arrowwood Resort heard more about the association's new direction and, in general, seemed to support it.

"Our goal is to be the best trade association in the state in 10 years, not just among banking groups, but all groups," commented Brian Nicklason, Woodland Bank, Remer, and the ICBM vice president. "We wanted to give this a try."

"Everyone wants good government," commented Neil Fruechte, Roundbank, Waseca. "This is a way for us to distinguish ourselves."

Shortly after Haddeland replaced the retiring Al Olson as head of ICBM in June of 2003, Haddeland unveiled plans to create Debate Minnesota, a separately incorporated non-profit organization that will facilitate debates throughout the state. Haddeland had been instrumental in the staging of ICBM debates in 2002 when the association brought together the four candidates for governor and three candidates for U.S. senate. Debate Minnesota recently hired Karl Haddeland (Will's son) to set up the debates. "We are looking to bring some civility to the process," explained Karl Haddeland. He explained the organization's board already has met to determine some of the ground rules for the debates. Open seats and competitive elections will get top priority. Each debate will consist of four questions, allowing each candidate 10 minutes to answer. He said the format is designed to allow candidates to go into depth on their answers. "We want to get away from the "gotcha" questions that so often come up in debates," Karl Haddeland said.

The debates will begin in late September, with most taking place in October. Karl Haddeland said most of the debates will have a community bank sponsor, as well as a media sponsor. The organization is selecting moderators for the debates and sending them to a training session. Four of the moderators, all journalists, participated in a political discussion during a convention general session.

"Minnesota always had been known as a state that governed itself well," said Jack Zaleski of the Fargo Forum. "That has changed. There is a meanness that has crept into Minnesota politics that was not there 15 years ago."

"We could do better with more civility," commented D. J. Tice of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "The first step toward civility is to admit both sides engage in ill-tempered rhetoric sometimes."

"You folks are trying to do something about it," the Star Tribune's Steve Berg told the bankers.

"Debate Minnesota is about trying to get back to good, fair debates in politics," said Scott Hutton, Drake Bank, St. Paul, who closed out his year as ICBM chairman at the convention.

Roy Terwilliger of Community Bank Group, Eden Prairie, said Debate Minnesota will provide a valuable service, particularly in rural Minnesota where forums for debate don't always exist. Terwilliger serves on the board of Debate Minnesota and is a former state senator. Terwilliger said the effort has benefited from the experience of the other board members, who include former State Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, former Governor Al Quie, former U.S. Senator Rod Grams, and former Secretary of State Joan Growe.

At the convention, ICBM replaced its traditional PAC event with a silent auction designed to raise money for Debate Minnesota. As an educational non-profit, the organization can accept donations from corporations, which are barred from giving to a PAC.

Hutton called his year at the ICBM helm "a year of transition." He noted numerous accomplishments in addition to the establishment of the debate series, including a program to place student interns in banks, a successful technology expo last fall, a new web site, a new newsletter, and a beefed up technology consulting service. Hutton said the association has attracted 12 new members and 40 new associate members in the last year.

As he took over the ICBM leadership for 2004-2005, Pete Haddeland of First National Bank, Mahnomen, announced a new legislative tack for ICBM. "We want to expand our government relations to the point where we actually propose legislation," said Haddeland, who is the brother of Will Haddeland. "This is something new for us. In the past we have only reacted or opposed legislation."