Braver Angels Minnesota

Upcoming Events 

Bridging the Divide: Hopes and Concerns for the Trump Presidency (In-person) 

Tuesday, January 28, 2025  7-8:30 pm
  Country Inn & Suites Radisson
  6003 Hudson Rd, Woodbury, MN 55125 

Register

Our feelings and thoughts about the outcome of the election are as divided as the election itself. Feelings range from excited and hopeful to concerned and fearful.  We don't need to agree, but our democracy will be stronger if we at least understand and respect the other side. If you want to prepare, consider making a list beforehand of your three top hopes and concerns. That's not necessary but could help you better articulate your thoughts. Be part of the solution to depolarizing in the East Metro. You may even be surprised. 

In this 90-minute session, participants will: 

•  Articulate their hopes, concerns and fears about the election outcome 

•  Learn about the experiences, feelings, and beliefs of those on the other side of the political divide about the 2024 election results. 

•  Ask curious questions of the other side. 

•  Gain insights to help depolarize our community and the nation post-election. 

•  Determine if there is any common ground on hopes and concerns post-election 2024.

Questions? Contact Melinda Voss at mvoss@braverangels.org

Common Ground: Copper-Nickel Mining in the Rainy River watershed

Thursday, Jan. 30, 5:30-9 pm
Ely Alliance

Contact The Organizer

Join us for a Common Ground Workshop on Copper-Nickel mining in the rainy river watershed.

The Braver Angels Common Ground Workshop brings together equal numbers of Conservatives and Liberals – Reds and Blues (4-8 of each) – for a deep dive into a problem, such as addressing climate change, electoral reform or abortion. Together participants talk about their connection to the issue and their opinion on solutions. By the end of the 3-hour workshop, participants have come up with jointly and unanimously held Points of Agreements on values, concerns and policies.

The Common Ground workshop is an out-growth of Braver Angels signature Red-Blue workshop and allows participants to go deeper into a single issue. Points of Agreement can be fleshed out at future group meetings, and when possible lead to joint Red-Blue actions such as op-eds, joint speaking and meetings with legislators.

• Delve into a single issue where citizens differ, and learn how each other sees the problem

• Delineate areas of common ground and points of agreement

• Learn something that might be helpful to others in our community and the nation.

West Suburban Alliance - Jan. 31

2025 Kickoff Meeting

Friday, Jan. 31, 6:00-8 pm

Register

Join us for an informal social gathering. After ordering food, we'll brainstorm ideas for what we'd like to do in 2025: social events, discussions, etc.

Note: You will not need physical or virtual tickets in order to attend this event

*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.

Questions? Contact hmann@braverangels.org

Get involved

We offer many ways to Get Involved. Join for $12 a year. Take a free eCourse. Attend a free local, state or national Braver Angels event, among other possibilities. Donations gratefully accepted.

Volunteer Profile - Read about Christopher Schoenherr in Get Involved. He's no stranger to achieving compromise, even in the most unlikely of places.

Reduce the Rancor

Join our latest campaign to build capacity among individual Minnesotans and constituencies in academic, civic and religious organizations to disagree better. Here's what one partner said about why her organization joined the campaign.

"We are expecting one in three rural physicians to retire in the next five years. And part of that is being driven by rancor or burnout. Nobody's out there saying we should be less healthy. We all want to be healthy. We have different strategies for how to get there. But health is a common goal."
                                                                  Laurel Ries M.D., President, Minnesota Medical Association

Braver Angels Effectiveness

After participating in our programs 

• 68% of participants had a positive view of the other side.

• 75% of participants said they are likely to share what they learned with friends and family.

After participating in our signature Red/Blue Workshop:

• 86% of participants reported believing that they better understand other points of view

• 71% reported feeling better understood by people with other points of view

• 81% reported feeling better prepared to apply the skills they practiced

After participating in 1:1 Conversations:  97% of participants say they found common ground with someone across the divide.

Source: Braver Angels Program Evaluations