Events

All events are free and open to the public, unless specified otherwise. Minnesota events. are listed below. To find a national event, 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


Preparing to be Tested as a Braver Angels -- Managing the Aftermath of this Election

Monday, October 21, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Central  (ONLINE)

Host Organization: Minnesota Braver Angels
Register

This online event is for Minnesota Braver Angels members only. If you want to become a member and join the conversation, we welcome you to sign up at https://braverangels.org/.
Join this members-only presentation and conversation on how we can resist the pull of triumphalism if our own side wins the Nov. 5 election or vengefulness if it loses. And how will we manage our reactions if the country enters a constitutional crisis where both sides claim victory in the Electoral College, or if there is violence in the streets after the election?

While we hope for the best, this may be the greatest test of the Braver Angels spirit and skills since our founding in 2016.  How will we treat one another in victory, defeat, or uncertainty? How do we handle different conclusions about the election without embracing the Four Horsemen of Polarization: Stereotyping, Dismissing, Ridiculing, and Contempt toward the millions who vote and think the other way?

Braver Angels cofounder Bill Doherty will share his thoughts about these questions and will lead a conversation among members on the call. The goal is to “immunize” ourselves against the potential onslaught of bitterness in the aftermath of winning or losing. How can we call on the better angels of our nature?

Skills for Disagreeing Better Workshops

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 for Participants

Thursday, October 24,  7-8:30 pm (In-person)
Host: West Suburban Alliance-MSP
Partner: League of Women Voters of St. Louis Park
St. Louis Park City Hall
5005 Minnetonka Boulevard, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Register:  Skills for Disagreeing Better

Sunday, October 27,  11:30-1 pm (In-person)
Host: MN State Alliance
St. Louis Park City Hall
2175 1st Street, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Register:  Skills for Disagreeing Better

Tuesday, October 29,  6:30-8 pm (In-person)
Host: Braver Angels
Partner: Dakota County Library System
Kaposia Library, 131 7th Ave N, South St Paul, MN 55075
Register:  Skills for Disagreeing Better

Depolarizing Ourselves Workshop

Interested in examining your own inner polarization and learning strategies to disagree without condemning or ridiculing others? 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.  In this 1.5 hour session participants will learn:

Thursday, Oct. 17, 6:30-7:45 pm (In-person)
 Host: Braver Angels
Partner: University of St. Thomas
 2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
 Register: Depolarizing Ourselves

Families and Politics

Family relationships are becoming casualties of our toxic polarized environment. If you want to preserve important family bonds while still being true to your values and political beliefs, this workshop is for you.  

Thursday, Oct. 24, 5-8 pm (In-person)
 Host: Northern MN Alliance
 Yellowjacket Union Great Room
1605 Catlin Ave, Superior, WI 54880
 Register: Family and Politics Workshop

Win or Lose — How Do We Bridge the Divide After the Election?

Tuesday, Oct. 22 - Join us for dinner on your own 5:30-7; Discussion 7-8:30 pm (In-person)
Host: Twin Cities East Metro Braver Angels Alliance
Sgt Peppers Grille and Bar
 930 Helena Ave N., Oakdale, MN 55128
Register: Win or Lose - How Do We Bridge the Divide After the Election?

Book Discussions

Monday, Nov. 4 - David Brooks: How to Know A Person 6:30-7:45 pm (In-person)
Host: Twin Cities West Suburban Braver Angels Alliance
Ridgedale Library - Ladyslipper Room 275
 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55345
Register: Book Discussion


 No matter who wins the election, each of us has a stake – and a role to play – in strengthening the fabric of democracy after the ballots are counted. But given the intense emotions on both sides, can we avoid being a sore loser or an arrogant winner? Join us for a focused discussion on how we can prepare ourselves by identifying pitfalls to avoid and actions we can take – win or lose – to continue building political goodwill and a vibrant democracy.  


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, click here.