Volume 26. Issue 4. April 2024

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Susan Dollar Continuing the "words matter" theme from last month...this week at our BAD meeting, we will host an ambassador from Braver Angels who will speak to us about having conversations - not necessarily to change minds - but to change perspectives. The mission of Braver Angels is to "bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic. As individuals, we try to understand the other side’s point of view, even if we don’t agree with it. In our communities, we engage those we disagree with, looking for common ground and ways to work together. In politics, we support principles that bring us together rather than divide us." There is an urgent need for this type of conversation. Rather than reinvent the wheel, I'm going to share excerpts from some articles that I hope will help us understand, think, learn, and engage in better conversations. A recent neuroscience study, “Do Words Hurt?”, proved that negative words release stress and anxiety-inducing hormones that can lead to long-term anxiety. I know that we are all feeling a lot of anxiety in these polarized times - and we need to learn how to lessen that anxiety and reduce our stress levels when conversing with others. From The Power of Language: How Words Shape Our World: Effective communication starts with respect. We better promote mental health when we show respect for people from different cultures, backgrounds, or life experiences. When we practice inclusion, we improve our communication. Language can be a force for positive change by advocating for human rights, social justice, and environmental sustainability. It has the capacity to shape public opinion, mobilize collective action, and influence policy-making. Words possess an extraordinary power that transcends their mere composition. A single word can inspire, motivate, and unite people, or it can incite fear, hatred, and division. The impact of words depends on the message they carry, the context in which they are used, and the individuals who speak them. Throughout history, influential speeches, literature, and poetry have demonstrated the profound ability of linguistics to ignite revolutions, shape political ideologies, and bring about societal change. From Gail Borden, author of Words That Creat Walls: You might be surprised at how your use of negative and positive words impacts your ability to influence others and make good impressions that lead to promotions and greater influence. As you speak, your listeners’ brains are constantly running various “software programs” that either filter your messages in — or out. So, it is important to understand how your words influence other people. Negative words are harder on your listener’s brain — Your words have consequences. You make things much more difficult for your listeners when you fill sentences with negative words. Studies show these word patterns result in the release of negative hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain. While positive words stimulate the brain’s frontal lobes, negative words trigger increased activity in the amygdala, which is the fear center of the brain. In turn, this can cause a partial shutdown of the reasoning and logic centers located in the frontal lobes. Negative words can make people feel tense, nervous and even fearful as they attempt to figure out what you want and how to respond to you. They can cause people to experience a sense of confusion, defensiveness, conflict and even lowered self-esteem. Negative words are harder to understand — When you use negative words your listeners have to work overtime to understand what it is that you want. This is because problem-frame words tend to express vagueness and obstacles, instead of clear solutions. Negative statements often focus on what you do not want or do not understand.  So there you have it. Words matter. And we need to learn the art of using them so that, like Braver Angels, we can help bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic. I hope that you will attend our April 11 meeting where we will listen, learn, and explore these ideas together! Suggested resources: Braver Angels: http://www.braverangels.org/ I Never Thought of it That Way, by Monica Guzman Smart Politics, https://www.joinsmart.org/ Google Hidden Brain and look for US 2.0; topics include What We Have in Common, Win Hearts Then Minds, Living with our Differences, Not at the Dinner Table, and Lincoln's Dilemma.

APRIL BAD MEETING Thursday, April 11, 2024 12:00 p.m. Longhorn Cafe, 369 S. Esser, Boerne (upstairs) This is a double feature meeting! Our first guest speaker will be THOMAS NORDSTRAND, who is a candidate for the BISD School Board. Following up on the persuasive conversation at our last meeting, our special guest speaker will be JANIS FUCHS, Ambassador for Braver Angels.

Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement that brings Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic. Their focus is on the crisis of affective polarization, understood as the process of society separating into antagonistic groups that do not trust or know each other. Through community gatherings, real debates, and grassroots leaders working together, Braver Angels is creating hope — and showing Americans a braver way. More information about the organization can be found online at https://braverangels.org/.

Want to understand more about hot-button political issues?  Need to learn more about major issues facing our country?   Then take a look at our “Talking Points”- simple, concise summaries on the major topics listed below. You can find them on the Boerne Area Democrats website: at https://www.boerne-area-democrats.com/ - click on "More" in the top right corner or click on the individual topics below:                Border Security and Immigration Children and Families Climate Change The Economy Education The Environment Gun Safety Health Care National Security and Foreign Affairs Voting Rights Women’s Health and Reproductive Rights Also of importance: Project 2025 What Biden and Democrats Did

LAURA BRAY Kendall County Democratic Party Chair NOTES FROM THE CHAIR April 2024 We had a fabulous Convention on March 23! Nearly 30 people attended, including several new faces. We heard from Dwain Handley (running against Ellen Troxclair in Texas House District 19), Dr. Merrie Fox (running against Donna Campbell in Texas Senate District 25), and Dr. Rachel Saenz Ortiz (our nominee for State Board of Education District 10; the Republicans have a runoff). Dr. Kristin Hook (running in US District 21 against Chip Roy) sent a video message. We also heard (via video) from US Senate nominee Colin Allred. We passed six resolutions. One was our anti-secession Resolution (see next story) authored by Wayne Watts, that generated two news stories, one national: Newsweek story: https://www.newsweek.com/texas-independence-campaigners-could-barred-office-1880731 Story on mysa.com: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/texas-democrats-texit-19361431.php Other approved Resolutions covered opposition to vouchers; support of gay marriage; support of abortion rights; support for common-sense gun safety; and a measure from our friends in Comal County that would allow local candidates free access to our voter database. These resolutions now go to the Texas Democratic Party (along with Resolutions passed in other counties); the TDP Resolutions Committee will decide on the statewide resolutions to present at the State Convention. We also let people know about our 12 “Talking Points” documents that cover the “hot button” issues of this election. We hope to have these up on our website soon, so everyone can use them. The most important task of the day was electing our delegates to the State Convention in June in El Paso. Ten people said they wanted to attend, so we elected all of them by acclamation. It’s a great mix of Convention veterans and “newbies.” So many people worked together to make the Convention a success. Many thanks to all of them! ·      Debra Bird, Convention Coordinator ·      Kevin Henning, Convention Secretary ·      Bruce Bray, Credentials (registration) Chair ·      Susan Dollar, Resolutions Chair ·      Peg Layton, Refreshments Next up: the State Convention in June! We still have five open State Delegate slots. Let me know if you would like to attend. Thank you for everything you to do work for voting rights in Texas!

LOCAL ELECTION MAY 4 Early Voting begins: April 22 Early Voting Ends: April 30 Election Day: Saturday, May 4

KEEPING AN EYE ON GOVERMENT Click on the links below to learn more! TEXAS FREEDOM NETWORK Founded in 1995, the Texas Freedom Network is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization of more than 150,000 religious and community leaders who support religious freedom, individual liberties and public education. Based in Austin, TFN acts as the state’s watchdog for monitoring far-right issues, organizations, money and leaders. The organization has been instrumental in defeating initiatives backed by the religious right in Texas, including private school vouchers and textbook censorship at the State Board of Education. Sign up for the daily update from the Texas Freedom Network: https://tfn.org/

OPEN SECRETS Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, OpenSecrets is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. Our mission is to track the flow of money in American politics and provide the data and analysis to strengthen democracy. https://www.opensecrets.org/

BECOME A RECURRING DONOR! Effective January 1, 2024, any person who sets up a monthly contribution of $10 or more or donates an annual amount of $120 or more will be exempt from regular dues as long as the recurring donation continues. The hope is, especially during this election year, that recurring donations will increase, thus allowing BAD to contribute to critical campaigns and various get-out-the-vote efforts. Please consider becoming a recurring donor. It’s easy to set up your recurring donation via ActBlue, Simply go to https://secure.actblue.com/ and click on Sign In to enter your information. You can also donate via a credit card, an auto-withdrawal from your bank, or by mailing a check to BAD, P.O. Box 2132, Boerne, TX, 78006. If you prefer to pay regular annual dues ($10 for students, $35 for those 60 or over, and $50 for everyone else), you can do so online by clicking here: https://www.boerne-area-democrats.com/membership and by completing the online payment form. You can also mail a check or pay in person at a BAD meeting.

BAD BOOK CLUB The BAD Book Club will meet on Wednesday, April 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the Dem headquarters, 216 E. Blanco, Suite 201. The book selection is Adrift: America in 100 Charts by Scott Galloway. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Janice Bloodworth at 210-632-6974.

VIVA FIESTA! San Antonio April 18-April 28 Click here for more information about activities and events: https://fiestasanantonio.org/official-fiesta-event-calendar/

Want to learn some skills to reduce the polarization in political and controversial conversations? Make plans to attend a free workshop provided by Braver Angels of Central Texas! DEPOLARIZING WITHIN WORKSHOP Saturday, April 20 1:00-4:00pm First United Methodist Church, Boerne Braver Angels was founded in 2016 by Bill Doherty, David Blankenhorn and David Lapp shortly after the presidential election and is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide taking hold in our country today. Through community gatherings, real debates, and grassroots leaders working together, we are creating hope and showing Americans a Braver Way. By attending this workshop, we will have a chance to assess our individual perspectives and biases and learn how to speak with others without stereotyping, dismissing, ridiculing or being contemptuous. We will practice skills to intervene in polarizing conversations in ways that will keep us from being ostracized and we will come away with tools to make conversations between differing viewpoints far more likely to be productive, successful, and sustainable. Register for the event at:   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/858497949477?aff=oddtdtcreator For more information about Braver Angels, please visit: www.braverangels.org Or contact Janis Fuchs at: jfuchs1026@gmail.com

Dr. Kristin Hook for Congress Campaign Kickoff Thursday, May 9, 2024 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM La Tuna, 100 Probandt, San Antonio, TX 78204 Dr. Kristin Hook is running for Congress! A scientist and former educator, Dr. Kristin Hook is a champion for evidence-based policies that ensure our government and economy work for all Texans. Her campaign is centered on fighting for women's rights, protecting our democracy, and leveling the playing field for working families and underdogs alike. RSVP here: https://secure.ngpvan.com/kCXt5XVMYkeUvfBBoWkXsw2

We had a great turnout at our March 21 BAD meeting. Everyone got involved in discussing persuasive conversation techniques. Many thanks to the "Talking Points" group members for putting together invaluable resources for us to use as we engage in those hard conversations with our family, friends, and neighbors!

There are good people out there! When Richard left the BAD meeting in March, he found a note on his truck! Proof that TAMOUTYT! The Kendall County Democratic Party had a very successful convention on March 23. Special guests included Dr. Merrie Fox, candidate for Texas State Senate District 25, Dwain Handley, candidate for Texas House District 19, and Raquel Saenz Ortiz, candidate for the Texas State Board of Education District 10. Congratulations to the delegates that were selected to attend the Texas Democratic Party Convention in El Paso on June 6-8. It took four volunteers, an entire pickup truck and two SUVs to gather and deliver all the donated items for the Center for Refugee Services! Many thanks to the generous members and friends who donated boxes and boxes of kitchen goods and bedding! Many thanks to the intrepid group of volunteers came out on Saturday morning, March 30, to participate in the Adopt-A-Highway trash pick-up!

Announcing new office hours! The office is now open on Monday-Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Stop by and visit - or better yet, stop in and help work on getting out the vote!

Click on any of these icons to be taken to their web pages.

GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY! Let your voices be heard by attending these community meetings. Click on any of the icons for more information.

Boerne City Council meets at 6:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 447 N. Main Street, Boerne. The Planning and Zoning Commission meetings are held on the first Monday of each month in the Ronald C. Bowman Council Chambers at City Hall, 447 N. Main Street, Boerne.

The Kendall County Commissioner's Court meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday at 9:00 a.m. in the County Courthouse, 201 E. San Antonio Street, 3rd floor.

The Fair Oaks City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the FOR City Hall, 7286 Dietz Elkhorn Road, FOR.

The Comfort ISD Board of Trustees meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the CISD Central Office, 327 High Street, Comfort.

The Boerne ISD Board of Trustees meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Administrative Offices, 235 Johns Road.

The Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at 9 Topperwein Road, Boerne.

BOERNE AREA DEMOCRATS BOARD President: Susan Dollar Vice President: Whitney White Secretary: Robin Prescott Treasurer: Michele Smith Membership: Shawn Bonner Publicity: Gloria Villanueva Webmaster: And Ex Officio member: Laura Bray, KCDP

Connect with us! JOIN THE BOERNE AREA DEMOCRATS Membership Form Email: BAD@boerne-area-democrats.com Web: boerne-area-democrats.org Facebook: facebook.com/boerne.area.democrats Notice Regarding Photography and/or Audio/Video Recording The Boerne Area Democrats captures photographs and/or audio/video recordings during our events. Such photographs and recordings may be used in BAD's advertising and social media relations to let others know of our events. In addition, local news organizations may hear of our events, and BAD may allow them to record events for news reporting. If you do not wish to be in photos/videos, please let the photographer/videographer know in advance. This newsletter is intended for people interested in the work of the Boerne Area Democrats and the Democratic Party in general. To be removed from this mailing list, please click on Unsubscribe below or email us at bad@boerne-area-democrats.com.