KERRVILLE — Civil discourse and navigating political polarization will be the focus of the Hill Country Chapter of Texas Democratic Women’s February luncheon meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 3, in Kerrville.
The featured speaker will be Karl Schmalz, Red Co-Chair of the Central Texas Alliance of Braver Angels, a national organization formed after the 2016 election to help Americans engage respectfully across political differences.
Schmalz will speak on how to listen and communicate effectively with those who hold differing viewpoints.
Schmalz is a co-founder of Central Texas Braver Angels, which was organized in Austin in 2018.
Meeting organizers say his presentation will outline the history and mission of the organization and introduce practical skills for “disagreeing better” when discussing politics or other divisive topics.
According to a press release, Braver Angels works through workshops, debates, Alliance meetings, presentations and community projects aimed at reducing political polarization.
A retired oil and gas industry tax lawyer, Schmalz holds a degree in economics from Princeton University and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law.
In retirement, he serves on the board of Communities in Schools Dallas Region, a nonprofit focused on supporting at-risk students. Braver Angels Central Texas currently has about 2,000 subscribers.
The meeting will be held in the lecture hall at 125 Lehmann Drive in Kerrville. Guests and members may begin signing in at 11:15 a.m., with the business meeting starting at 11:45 a.m.
The featured presentation will begin at noon and conclude at 1 p.m., with time afterward for informal conversation.
Meetings of the Hill Country Chapter of Texas Democratic Women are open to the public, but reservations are required by emailing treasurer4hcctdw@gmail. com. Reservations made by Jan. 30 should specify either a box lunch ($15) or beverage only ($5). Guests may also bring their own lunches.
The Hill Country Chapter of Texas Democratic Women serves Bandera, Gillespie and Kerr counties and holds monthly luncheon meetings from September through May.
Karl Schmalz
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