Red/Blue Workshop – Session 1 – IN PERSON

Note: This event is to be attended in person.

Please join us for an intensive workshop, in two sessions, that will bring together Republican-leaning and Democratic-leaning citizens for structured conversations, with a focus on listening and reflecting rather than debating and persuading.

Goals:

• To better understand the experiences and beliefs of those on the other side of the political divide.
• To seek out areas of common ground in addition to acknowledging and respecting differences.
• To gain insights that might help to heal the increasing polarization in our community and the nation.

Who can come? Anyone interested in developing a deeper understanding of, and connection with, people whose political beliefs differ from their own. You should honestly be able to answer “yes” to the following question:

“Are you willing to listen to the other side, and are you willing to speak to the other side with respect?”

This event is Session 1, which includes the Stereotypes and Fishbowl exercises.

Session 2: Will be held the same day, from 1:30-4:00 immediately following our group lunch break . Join us for the afternoon workshop that will include the Questions and How We Can Contribute exercises. You will need to register separately for Session 2 here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/redblue-workshop-session-2-mi-state-registration-440097813407

Workshop Details: There are two ways to join a Red/Blue Workshop: as a Participant or as an Observer/Alternate.

• Participants will engage in small – and large – group discussions with individuals of both the same and different political persuasions. Participants must identify as “red” (Republican or leaning conservative) or “blue” (Democrat or leaning liberal). We will strive for an equal balance of red and blue participants: 6 to 8 people on each side.
• Observers/Alternates can identify as red, blue or independent (not leaning either way). They will not participate in the discussions directly but will have the opportunity to watch and listen. Observers/Alternates should be ready to step in and participate as their “color” in the event of participant cancellations.
• The workshop will be 3.5 hours long.

Everyone who signs up will receive a phone call or email from an organizer. In the event that some participants cancel last min and the red/blue participant balance is off organizers may ask Observers to step up to participate in the empty spot, depending on the needs of the workshop.

Lunch: Whether you will be joining us for just one of these sessions or for both, we would like to invite participants and observers to bring a bagged lunch and enjoy some connection time with others during our lunch break from 12:30-1:30, while we transition to the next workshop. Otherwise we will provide coffee, water, and light snacks for both sessions.

Here is how the schedule will look:

9:00-12:30 Red/Blue Session 1

12:30-1:30 Lunch Break- Both groups are invited

1:30- 4:00 Red/Blue Session 2

* You can sign up for one session or both*