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Alliance Meeting

September 13, 2025

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Welcome

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“There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is �right with America”

Bill Clinton

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We state our views freely and fully, without fear.

We treat people who disagree with us with honesty, dignity and respect.

We welcome opportunities to engage those with whom we disagree.

We seek to disagree accurately, avoiding exaggeration and stereotypes.

We look for common ground where it exists and, if possible, find ways to work together.

The Braver Angels Way–Key Principles

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Sunday 14th 5pm CDT

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Mission

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Braver Angels of Central Texas provides unique experiences to people of diverse views to strengthen our democracy through mutual respect, understanding and action.

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Alliance

Goals

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Establish and Extend TRUST among participants
Organize Effective WORK to progress our mission
Grow MEMBERSHIP and our IMPACT on America

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Ground

Rules

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Red/Blue workshop rules

–Respectful Conversation

–Moderators have permission…

Zoom courtesy rules…

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Agenda

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Length (min)	Topic	Leaders
5	Welcome/Mission/Agenda	Joanne, Karl, and Steve
10	BACT– Update Overview	Karl
40	BACT Update Items	Roxanna, Josh, DuAnne, Joanne, Steve, Karl and You!
5	Break
10	Breakout Activities Set Up	Karl
30	Breakouts	Breakout Discussion–All
20	Group reports	Norman
10	Recent and Upcoming Events	Karl
10	Other Business and Check Out	Popcorn Share

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Braver Angels Central Texas Updates

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2025 Events to date–20

Event Participants – 370+
Locations

Austin, Dallas, Hallettsville, Houston, Leander, New Braunfels, Schulenberg, Wimberley

Subscribers–2,100+

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New Braunfels Common Ground Workshop Report (Roxanna)

October 4 Community First! Village Volunteer Experience event (Josh)

Wimberley Activities (DuAnne)

New Media Group–Noise vs. News (Joanne)

Maury Giles comes to Austin (Steve/Karl)

How to Attract More Reds… (Steve and Russell)

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Immigration Common Ground Workshop

New Braunfels–8/30–Report

Houston–12/13

Austin–Interested?

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Community First! Village Volunteer Experience

October 4: 9am-Noon

Austin

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What’s Happening in Wimberley?

Meet DuAnne Redus-–Our newest moderator!!

6/24 Depolarizing Ourselves
9/13 Depolarizing Within (online)
9/18 Respectful Conversations– Katherine Anne Porter School
9/27 Skills for Disagreeing Better (online)
To be scheduled: Wimberley High School

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Noise vs. News

How to recognize trustworthy information online and off!

Overview

Initial Event Being Planned

Interested in Joining Us??

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Noise vs. News�How to recognize trustworthy information

We envision a series of conversations – monthly?

Topics to include:

AI: two perspectives –

one academic; one developer

Recognize types of media bias

Trusted (?) sources: news aggregators

Role of social media

And much more!!

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Did you know there are�16 Types of Media Bias?

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Story Placement

On its front page

On its home page

Pinned to top of social media file

Placement Bias is just ONE

Viewpoint Placement

When a journalist highlights a certain idea by giving it a more prominent position in an article

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Maury Giles Comes to Austin

Background on our new CEO
Austin Event: SAVE THE DATE

December 9: Evening event for all; in person and online!!!

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Attracting More Reds–Brainstorming Part I

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whwh

Our workshops?

Our State

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Red

Recruitment

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Photo: Inaugural Red/Blue Workshop--Sept. 29, 2018

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Recruit a Red CEO

Maury Giles

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Recruit a Red CEO

Maury Giles

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Problem Solvers Caucus - August 2025

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2. Weave “action” into all BA offerings

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Citizen Led Solution (CLS) Formal Launch

National Conference on Citizenship
David Eisner - Presenter/Panel Host on role of citizen
Maury Giles - Keynote Speaker promoting CLS as part of Braver Angels foundational mission.

National Conference

on Citizenship

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3. Use “talk radio” to reach Reds

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New BA Alliance: SW Florida

Sean is Red co-chair and responded to an interview on Fox Drive Time

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Short Break

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Alliance Meeting Brainstorming

Topics for Small Group Discussions and Input to Us

Reaction to how to attract more reds to our events?

Brainstorm ideas you think would work (and would be interested in advancing)

What would you like BACT to do more of, or to try, over the next 6 months? (And would you be willing to help?)

Framework:

Small group brainstorming sessions
Group sharing

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Instructions for Small Groups

Introductions: 5 minutes

Name
Where you live and where you grew up
A fun fact about you or your family

Topic Discussions: 30 minutes total/15 minutes each

Topic 1: Ideas for attracting reds (and your willingness to advance them).

Topic 2: What would you like BACT to do more of, or to try, over the next 6 months? (And your willingness to help).

REMEMBER TO APPOINT A SPOKESPERSON!!

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Small group

Breakout Process

35 min in groups

Appoint a spokesperson

Questions?

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Group Readouts

20 minutes

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Braver Angels Central Texas

Upcoming Events

Other Business

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EVENTS

Jan-Aug: 20 Events inc. 8/30 New Braunfels Immigration CGW
September

9/13 Alliance Meeting
9/18 Wimberly–K. A. Porter School (Respectful Conversations for Parents and Students)
9/18 Austin Area League of Women Voters Texas Constitutional Amendment forum
9/27 Skills for Disagreeing Better Workshop–Online

October

10/4 Community First! Village–Austin
10/18 Families and Politics–Austin (Bethany United

Methodist Church)

10/25 Prof. Becca North Speaker Series Event–Hybrid in Austin and online

November/December

12/8-9 Maury Giles events–Austin
12/13 Houston Immigration Common Ground Workshop

Additional College and High School events…
And More for BACT members, so stay tuned!!

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US

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Where We Need Your Help

Helping Us Get Into Middle and High Schools
Helping Us with Outreach to Individuals and Organizations
Helping By Indicating Interest in Joining A Committee

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Middle and High Schools

At Miss Porter’s School, we believe that the work of depolarization must begin while students are still in high school, before divisions harden and dialogue breaks down. That’s why we invited Braver Angels to lead a workshop with our students, and the results were remarkable.

Our students, representing a range of political perspectives, gained practical skills to engage in respectful, meaningful conversations with those they disagreed with. Through guided dialogue, they learned how to listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and seek common ground—without giving up their own convictions. The workshop didn’t just broaden their understanding; it empowered them to bridge divides and strengthen our school community.

I strongly encourage other schools to partner with Braver Angels. The experience will not only enrich your students’ civic understanding but also equip them with lifelong skills to navigate our increasingly complex and divided world.

— Tim Quinn, Chief Academic Officer, Miss Porter’s School

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Outreach to Individuals and Organizations

BACT members voices from our last Alliance meeting

“Guess what!! I just came across a refreshing approach to help America come together to speak and listen to each other. It’s called Braver Angels, and it brings along a structure to help. I’ve gone to events where they’ve debated hot topics, and the discussions are civil. It makes me hopeful that we can heal the divide.”

“It has provided a framework to open myself up to greater listening.”

“We’re lost in silos. Important to make it clear we’re not about trying to change views on issues. Not about making you feel wrong. ‘Just come listen.’ ”

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RESOURCES TO SHARE

Mary Powell and Roxanna Deane - New Braunfels Champions

Advice for working in local community

Gather a small organizing group – it is easier to be brave when there are at least two people working together.
Get support from your Braver Angels Alliance (Central Texas).
Become an Ambassador – the training and resources will give you confidence to talk about Braver Angels.
Reach out to your network – your church, social club, political organization etc. and ask if Braver Angels can make a presentation on bridging the divide. Personal emails and calls to people that know you are more effective than cold calls.
Write a letter to the editor for your local newspaper and if one of your group has the talent ask for a regular guest article.

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�JOIN A BACT COMMITTEE

EVENTS–Help in organizing and executing events
OUTREACH–Developing/participating in external outreach
COMMUNICATIONS AND NEW MEMBER ENGAGEMENT–Coordinates internal and external communications
OPERATIONS–Help with BACT “back office” systems and activities
NEW “NOISE VS. NEWS” MEDIA GROUP–Review draft papers and help plan educational events

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Any Other Business?

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Call to Action

Join: be an ACTIVE Member

Become an:

Ambassador
Workshop Moderator

(online/virtual training)

Join a Committee – see the form in chat/QR code

Invite your friends to come

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Check Out

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