November 2023 ~ Braver Angels – Karl Schmalz

A few months ago we were fortunate to feature guest speaker Joanne Richards of Rank Choice Voting for Texas, not only for her informative words of wisdom but now for her connecting us to Braver Angels and its local affiliate whose Co-founder and Acting Red Co-chair, Karl B. Schmalz, has agreed to come speak with us this month!

Braver Angels is a national non-profit, non-partisan organization with over 11,000 members that formed shortly after the 2016 election to address the increasing political polarization in our country — a polarization that seems to be deepening.

The mission of Braver Angels is to bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic. It operates through 100 local alliances in all 50 states.

Braver Angels of Central Texas (BACT) is one of those alliances, operating within a 100 mile radius around Austin. BACT started in 2018 with a group of 11, and has now grown to over 1800 subscribers.

Braver Angels conducts workshops and teaches skills designed to advance these goals. It does not advocate for any particular political position, only for honest, respectful dialogue with a goal to “depolarize” our country.

At the heart of Braver Angels is a pledge:

• As individuals, strive to understand the other side’s point of view.
• In our communities, engage those who disagree, looking for common ground and ways to work together.
• Regarding politics, Braver Angels supports principles that bring us together rather than divide us.

Karl Schmalz is a retired oil and gas industry tax lawyer who grew up in Massachusetts and received a degree in economics from Princeton University and a law degree from the University of Texas. He currently serves as a senior advisor to the International Tax and Investment Center. He is a long time member of the board of Communities in Schools Dallas Region, a stay-in-school non-profit that works with at-risk students. Karl and his wife, Bonnie Martin, their two children and four grandchildren all live in Austin, Texas.

Please join us on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 6:45-9:00 PM at Casa Chapala, 9041 Research Blvd., in Austin TX (183 & Burnet Road) for a fun & informative presentation and Q&A.
Bring yourself and invite friends — of any & all political persuasions!