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

July 30 - East Metro Alliance - Common Sense, Common Ground: Your Voice to Congress 

Wednesday, July 30, 7-8:30 pm

Jerry’s Foods, 7760 Hargis Pkway, Woodbury, MN 55129

Host: East Metro Alliance

Register

Tired of shouting matches and gridlock? Discover CommonSense American, where Republicans, Democrats, and Independents work together to influence Congress with real solutions. Join us to learn how you can help shape national policy through respectful collaboration—not partisanship. Since 2020, this group has been successful in helping Congress pass three bills on a bipartisan basis. Come find out how you can add your voice. All perspectives welcome—especially yours. Jeff Thiemann, a national Braver Angels leader and a Red who serves on the Minnesota Braver Angels Steering Team, will speak about how this organization identifies issues, develops briefs, asks members to weigh in and engages with Congress. Questions: Melinda Voss, mvoss@braverangels.org

August 12 - Dakota County Alliance Meeting

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 6:30-8 p.m.
Wescott Library - Dakota County Library
1340 Wescott Road Eagan, MN 55123

Register

This meeting has two goals. First, we’ll go over the results of the survey from our recent meet-and-greet and use that to start shaping what future meetings in Dakota County will look like. Second, we’ll help you navigate the Braver Angels universe of over 35 programs and offerings so you can find the ones that actually connect with you. The Braver Angels universe is big. At this session, we’ll walk you through the many offerings available through Braver Angels, clearly, concisely, and hopefully in an entertaining way. Whether you're a brand-new member or you've been with Braver Angels for a while, our goal is to help you connect with the programs that make the most sense for you, so you can have the best experience possible. Have you heard of the program called Braver Dogs? Because if you haven't, this meeting is for you. We’ll introduce you to opportunities you might have missed and help you discover what actually fits your interests, values, or communication style. If you’re feeling tired of the way politics are usually talked about, this is your chance to reconnect on your own terms with conversations that bring more light than heat. We want to help you find the Braver Angels offerings that will re-energize you. 

National Events - Online

July 26 - Skills for Disagreeing Better (BA National - Workshops)

Saturday, July 26, 1-2:45 p.m. CDT

Host Organization: BA National - Workshops

Setting: This event is to be attended online.

Register

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
  
  

July 31 - National Online Debate: RFK Jr. & Health

Thursday, July 31, 7-9 p.m. CDT 

Host Organization: Braver Angels Debates

Setting: Online 

Register

Join Braver Angels for a debate on the topic – “Resolved: Robert F Kennedy Jr. will advance the health of the American people“

Come join us for this free national debate, in which all participants from across the ideological spectrum will have an opportunity to speak and ask their questions. Tell us what you have experienced and what you think. Register below. After registration, you will be emailed the zoom link to attend the event. Keep an eye out!

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 these debates, you can view this video of a sample debate (it lasts about 15 minutes). This file might help you understand the debate process that we use.

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 disable their video.

Questions? Email debates@braverangels.org.

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