Events

Braver Angels workshops are typically free events as part of our mission to depolarize America. Braver Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We invite you to consider a gift to Braver Angels; all donations are tax deductible.  Your support will allow us to offer more workshops and debates with the ultimate goal of uniting America. To donate to Minnesota Braver Angels, go to Support a Braver Angels Field Organization - Minnesota.

Minnesota events are listed below, as well as some national events. To find additional national events, visit the Events Calendar on the national Braver Angels website. The national BA events calendar offers in-person and online events and can be searched by date and location. Most Registration links go to Eventbrite, a service that lists events and manages registrations.

Upcoming events and activities in Minnesota

March 14 - Skills for Disagreeing Better - Brainerd

Saturday, March 14, 1:30-3 p.m.
St. Francis Catholic Church, 404 N. 9th St., Brainerd, MN 56401

RESERVE A SPOT  

The Skills for Disagreeing Better workshop helps participants understand the values and concerns of those who differ from them politically and teaches essential skills for communicating across differences and finding common ground.

Goals

● Grow understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically

● Learn skills for listening in a way the other person feels heard

● Learn skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear even if they disagree

Who Can Attend

This workshop is open to everyone.

What to Expect

You will learn about the values and concerns of the other political side and practice skills for communicating more effectively in the presence of disagreement.

March 16 - Citizens’ Commission on Immigration - Brooklyn Center

Monday, March 16, 6-8 p.m.

Host Organization: West Suburban Alliance-MSP 

Location: Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, #800, Brooklyn Center, 55430

RESERVE A SPOT

State Coordinators Melinda Voss and Scott Schluter will discuss:
– The national Braver Angels Citizens Commission on Immigration, which will gather common ground solutions to present as recommendations to Congress;
– Organizing a WSA Immigration Common Ground Exercise;
– Organizing one of four “Alliance in a Box” presentations in conjunction with America’s 250th anniversary.

March 19  - Depolarizing Ourselves     "*ONLINE**

Thursday, March 19   7-8:45 p.m. 

Host Organization: State 

State/Region: MN

RESERVE A SPOT 

Note: This free* event is to be attended online. 

About this event
Polarization is fueled by how we talk about those on the other side of an issue. Too often, we ridicule, dismiss, or stereotype our fellow citizens. When Braver Angels addresses “polarization,” we are not referring to healthy disagreements over issues or philosophy. We are addressing how we regard and talk about large groups of people — people who happen to be on the other side of the political aisle.

Goals
In this 1.5 hour session participants will learn:

• How to be more aware of their own “inner polarizer”

• How to be critical without demonizing, dismissing or stereotyping large swaths of the population

Who Can Attend?
Anyone interested in examining their own inner polarization and learning strategies to disagree without condemning or ridiculing others.

March 22 - Braver Angels Debate: Firearm Policy  - Two Harbors

Sunday, March 22   3-4:30 p.m.
Harbor Theater

616 2nd Avenue
Two Harbors, MN 55616

Partner: Lake Country Press 

RESERVE A SPOT   This debate is a free event brought to you by Braver Angels, a 501(c)(3) non-profit as part of our mission to depolarize America. We invite you to consider a gift to Braver Angels; all donations are tax-deductible. Your support will allow us to offer more workshops and debates with the ultimate goal of uniting America.

Join Braver Angels for a debate on the topic – Resolved: Increased firearm regulations are necessary to stop gun violence. 

Remember, our resolutions never represent Braver Angels’ stance on any issue, and we alternate between speeches for and against the resolution.

Join us for this free Local Community Debate, where participants from across the ideological spectrum will have the opportunity to speak and ask questions. Tell us what you have experienced and what you think.

Questions? Email debates@braverangels.org 

You probably haven’t experienced anything like a Braver Angels Debate. This is a highly structured conversation in which a group of people think together, listen carefully to one another, and allow themselves to be touched and perhaps changed by each other’s ideas. When done well, everyone walks out a little closer to the truth, more aware of the validity in opposing views, and with tighter community relationships.

To learn more about our debates, you can take a look at our Quick Start Guide and this video about the spirit of a Braver Angels Debate. For further information, including to find additional upcoming events or view recordings of some of our past debates, please visit: https://braverangels.org/what-we-do/debates/.

Braver Angels events may be recorded and may be shared with media or used in Braver Angels publications, including web pages. Participants who object to this may notify the organizer.

** This event is open to the media upon approval. Send requests to press@braverangels.org

March 24 - Depolarizing Ourselves - Woodbury

Tuesday, March 24, 7-8:30 p.m.
Jerry's Foods, 7760 Hargis Pkwy, Woodbury, MN 55129

Host Organization: Twin Cities East Metro 

Note: This free* event is to be attended in person.

SIGN UP  
*Tickets are Free, Donations Help 

About this event
Polarization is fueled by how we talk about those on the other side of an issue. Too often, we ridicule, dismiss, or stereotype our fellow citizens. When Braver Angels addresses “polarization,” we are not referring to healthy disagreements over issues or philosophy. We are addressing how we regard and talk about large groups of people — people who happen to be on the other side of the political aisle.

Goals
In this 1.5 hour session participants will learn:

• How to be more aware of their own “inner polarizer”

• How to be critical without demonizing, dismissing or stereotyping large swaths of the population

Who Can Attend?
Anyone interested in examining their own inner polarization and learning strategies to disagree without condemning or ridiculing others.

** This event is open to the media upon approval. Send requests to press@braverangels.org

March 25 - Voting Regulations - Ely

Wednesday, March  25       6 p.m.
Ely Community Center, 27 S. 1st Ave

The Ely Alliance meets every 4th Wednesday through 2026.

March 31 - Immigrants and the American Dream: Who Should Get in and Why?   Winona

Tuesday, March 31     6-8 p.m.

Eagles Club

210 East 4th Street

Winona, MN 55987

Reserve A Spot

Join us for a thoughtful conversation on one of the most debated issues of our time: who should have the opportunity to immigrate to the United States. Should the system prioritize family ties, humanitarian needs, economic growth, or workforce demands? We’ll start with a brief, fact-based overview of today’s legal immigration pathways—including asylum—and then open the floor for a wide range of perspectives. A fact sheet and resources will be shared in advance, but no preparation is required. Just bring your curiosity and your views to the table. 

Why attend?

1. Leave Better Informed — Not Just Better Opinionated

2. Clarify Your Own Principles

3. Understand the Tradeoffs -- there is no immigration system without limits.

4. Hear Thoughtful Perspectives You Don’t Normally Encounter

5. Practice Civil Courage

6. Walk Away with Language That Elevates the Conversation

7. Contribute to a Stronger Civic Culture

Wanna do some prep? (Not necessary but could be helpful

·        Immigration Perspectives

·        Immigration Facts and Issues (recaps Immigration 101)

·        Watch Immigration 101 a 1 hour, 17-minute intro to the U.S. immigration system for Braver Angels

Whether you lean left, right, or somewhere in between, this session offers a rare opportunity to model what serious, respectful civic engagement looks like — the kind our country needs more of.

Questions? mvoss@braverangels.org or drycementmixer@aol.com 

April 14 - Skills for Disagreeing Better: An Interactive Non-partisan Workshop

Tuesday, April 14  6-8:30 p.m.
YMCA - Camp St. Croix/Royal Credit Union Discover Center
345 RiverView Drive, Hudson, WI

REGISTRATION

Since the founding of the United States, citizens have always disagreed with one another. So why does it seem so hard today to respectfully share our differences and find common ground? 

One reason, especially in this age of algorithms that divide us, is that we lack a basic understanding of why people on the other political side hold their beliefs. We don’t see them as they see themselves (their core values and central concerns) but instead as we choose to see them. We are tempted to regard our own side as principled and the other side as self-interested.

When we try to communicate across this gap, we often lack the skills for listening carefully, looking for common ground, and sharing our perspectives in ways that connect rather than create more misunderstanding.

The good news is that we can learn to disagree better, even in polarized times, by accurately seeing where we differ and where we share common ground. 

That's why we're excited to bring Braver Angels' "Skills for Disagreeing Better" workshop to the Hudson area in partnership with the Hudson Daybreak Rotary, Rotary Club of Hudson, the Golden Rule Initiative, and Hudson YMCA! In this interactive workshop, attendees will have the opportunity to learn new skills and put them into practice in a safe, non-partisan setting.

April 29 - Depolarizing Ourselves - Mound

Wednesday, April 29      6:30-8 p.m.

Gillespie Center

2590 Commerce Boulevard

Mound, MN 55364

Host Organization: West Suburban Alliance-MSP

Partner organization: Bethel of Mound United Methodist Church

Note: This free* event is to be attended in person. 

RESERVE A SPOT NOW!   *Tickets are Free,  Donations Help As a spam prevention measure, you must use promo code BRAVER during registration to secure your spot in the workshop. Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, 501(c)3. Braver Angels does not ask for a donation if the participant is making one to their faith organization.

About this event

Polarization is fueled by how we talk about those on the other side of an issue. Too often, we ridicule, dismiss, or stereotype our fellow citizens. When Braver Angels addresses “polarization,” we are not referring to healthy disagreements over issues or philosophy. We are addressing how we regard and talk about large groups of people — people who happen to be on the other side of the political aisle.

Goals

In this 1.5 hour session participants will learn:

• How to be more aware of their own “inner polarizer”

• How to be critical without demonizing, dismissing or stereotyping large swaths of the population

Who Can Attend?

Anyone interested in examining their own inner polarization and learning strategies to disagree without condemning or ridiculing others.

National Events - Online

March 14 - Skills for Disagreeing Better   **ONLINE**

Saturday, Mar 14, 1-2:45 pm CDT

RESERVE A SPOT

Understand the values and concerns of those who differ politically and learn skills for communicating differences and finding common ground.

Note: This Free event is to be attended online (Promo Code "BRAVER"). You will not need physical or virtual tickets in order to attend this event.

In this polarized time, we lack basic understanding of why people on the other political side hold their beliefs. We don’t see them as they see themselves–their core values and central concerns–but instead as we choose to see them. We are tempted to regard our own side as principled and the other side as self-interested.

When we try to communicate across this gap, we often lack the skills for listening carefully, looking for common ground, and sharing our perspectives in ways that connect rather than create more misunderstanding.

We can learn to disagree better in polarized times, which means accurately seeing where we differ and where we share common ground.

Goals

• More understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically

• Better skills for listening in a way so that the other person feels heard

• Better skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear -- even if they disagree

*Tickets are Free, Donations Help Use promo code BRAVER during registration to get a free ticket. Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, 501(c)3.

Please be on time. Because this is an interactive workshop, latecomers may not be admitted.

Questions? Contact adana@braverangels.org

** This event is open to the media upon approval. Send requests to press@braverangels.org

March 14 - Being a Braver Angels When the Going Gets Tough  -  ONLINE

Saturday, March 14,   4 p.m. CDT   FULL

RESERVE A SPOT

Has there been a season with greater need for extra sessions of "Being a Braver Angel When the Going Gets Tough"? Survey says...No way!

Zoom invitations will be sent on confirmation.

Contact pnorris@braverangels.org or 415-933-0620

March 21 - Depolarizing Within Braver Angels Online National Workshop

Saturday, March 21    1-4 p.m. CDT

RESERVE A SPOT  *Tickets are Free, Donations Help Use promo code BRAVER during registration to get a free ticket. Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, 501(c)3.

Overview

A free online workshop to become more aware of your "inner polarizer" and learn methods for disagreeing without contempt and ridicule

Note: This event is to be attended online. You will not need physical or virtual tickets in order to attend this event.

Polarization can be driven by how we talk with like-minded people about those on the other side. Too often, we stereotype, dismiss, or ridicule our fellow citizens who support the other political party, its leaders, and its policies.

This *FREE* 3 hour in-person workshop teaches participants:2.5 to 3 hour workshop is offered online over Zoom and teaches participants:

• How to be more aware of their own "inner polarizer"

• How to be critical without demonizing, dismissing or stereotyping large swaths of the population

• How to constructively intervene in polarizing social conversations with like-minded people

Who can come? Anyone interested in examining their own inner polarization and learning strategies to disagree without condemning or ridiculing others.

Please be on time. Because this is an interactive workshop, latecomers may not be admitted.

Questions? Contact paige@braverangels.org

** This event is open to the media upon approval. Send requests to press@braverangels.org

March 28 - Families and Politics Braver Angels National Online Workshop

Saturday, March 28 at 1-4  p.m. CDT

RESERVE A SPOT

Overview

Family relationships can be casualties of a toxic political environment. Preserve important family bonds while staying true to your values.

Note: This *FREE* event is to be attended online. You will not need physical or virtual tickets in order to attend this event.

Family relationships can become casualties of a toxic political environment. Family members are having bitter political arguments, avoiding each other, or even cutting off lifetime relationships.

If you want to preserve important family bonds while still being true to your values and political beliefs, this workshop will offer you:

• Insight into why family differences over politics are uniquely challenging

• Recognition of common roles that family members play in political conversations

• Strategies and skills for handling family political differences in a constructive way

Although the focus is on family relationships, you can use learnings in this workshop with any loved one. You’ll laugh and have some fun in this workshop—it won’t be all serious. After all, we all come from quirky families.

Please be on time. Because this is an interactive workshop, latecomers may not be admitted.

Questions? Contact paige@braverangels.org

** This event is open to the media upon approval. Send requests to press@braverangels.org

For more national online opportunities, visit Braver Angels Events Calendar.