Tahoe chambers bringing "Depolarizing Within" workshop to South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Bridging Divides: El Dorado and its partner Braver Angels are offering a free "bridging" event for South Lake Tahoe region residents on Saturday, April 15.

The workshop is to help foster the skills needed to help lessen the effects of polarization, a valuable tool when encountering those who don't believe the same as you do.

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. Social media has only exasperated differences.

This free three-hour in-person workshop 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 living or working in the South Lake Tahoe region who is interested in examining their own inner polarization and learning strategies to disagree without condemning or ridiculing others.

"Depolarizing Within" is ideal for organizations such as communities of civic associations, worship, social clubs, or educational institutions that want to reduce or avoid the divisiveness of political polarization.

The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the South Tahoe Association of Realtors, 2307 James Avenue, South Lake Tahoe. It is limited to the first 50 people who register.

The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce and the Tahoe Chamber are cohosting the event along with Bridging Divides: El Dorado and Braver Angels.

"The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce is honored to bring this event to our town. Our leadership in recent years has had the goal of working hand in hand with different groups who may not agree with us all the time on every important issue, but who are doing good for the community in their own way. In the past, we have been part of other similar events, such as a Red/Blue event about four years ago. These sessions give our local community members tools to help them work with and cooperate with others who may not have the same view or ideals. It makes our community stronger to embrace our differences and find ways we can work together,” said Amanda Adams, president of the South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce

Trained Braver Angels moderators, a conservative and a liberal, will conduct the workshop.

REGISTER HERE: https://braverangels.org/event/depolarizing-within-in-person-12/

Refreshments will be served during the event. A box lunch will be available at the event's conclusion.

If you have questions about the event, please get in touch with Bridging Divides - El Dorado co-leader Ken Futernick at ken.futernick@gmail.com.

To learn more, please visit Bridging Divides-El Dorado at https://www.bridgingdivides-eldorado.org/ and Braver Angels at https://www.braverangels.org.