Results of Online Survey
Respondents had participated in at least one Bridging Divides activity or had used resources available on our website
(Survey conducted in July, 2023)

1.    Number of people responding to survey: 66

2.    Political leaning of respondents:

Conservative: 24%
Liberal: 52%
Independent: 18%
Preferred not to answer: 6%

3. Geographic Location of Respondents:

Placerville: 41%
Shingle Springs, Cameron Park: 17%
South Lake Tahoe: 14%
El Dorado Hills: 10%
Georgetown, Garden Valley, Cool: 8%
Camino, Pollock Pines: 7%
South County: 3%

4. Percentage of respondents who participated in a Bridging Divides activity OR have taken advantage of one of the Bridging Divides online resources (e.g., books, articles, videos, links to other organizations): 71%

5. How successful have you been implementing bridging strategies into your life, relationships, conversations, etc.?

Very successful: 11%
Mostly successful: 40%
Mixed: 31%
Mostly unsuccessful: 2%
I have not implemented any bridging strategies: 16%

6. (For respondents who indicated they have not implemented any bridging strategies) Since you have not yet implemented any bridging strategies, what might enable or encourage you to try some of them?

• Another workshop with more conservatives.

• More information and opportunities to learn and here from those trained.

• Pilot project implementing these tools to address a real conflict in the community.

• Knowing about them. I just recently signed up for the distribution list and have not been aware of your activities.

• Zoom

• I have not attended any of the sessions that demonstrated the implementation of these strategies.

• We have not yet participated in Bridging Divides. We most likely will not participate in any activity until the fall. We are glad you are out there and hope to check out your strategies and activities after the summer.

7. In what relationships in your life have you applied the bridging strategies you have learned (check all that apply)?

Community acquaintances: 54%
Immediate family: 44%
Other professional relationships: 44%
Extended family: 42%
Close friendships: 39%
Strangers: 29%
Co-workers: 27%
Neighbors: 22%
Other: 5%

8. How often would you say you have been able to apply bridging strategies in your life?

Daily: 11%
A few times per week: 18%
A few times per month: 44%
Every few months: 13%
I have not yet been able to apply bridging strategies: 13%

9. In your interactions with others, including friends and family, to what extent have you been able to put into practice these bridging strategies?

10.    Identify one bridging strategy that has been particularly helpful and describe the impact it has had for you.

Responses:

• Listening without judgment. I have done this for years.

• Active listening and echoing back what I understand the other to be saying. Eliminating judgement.

• Conscious effort to not categorize "them vs us."

• Setting norms before having a conversation with someone on a polarizing topic.

• Active listening and repeating what I think I heard.

• Focusing on my personal love for God and His commandment to love one another. As that is foremost in my life - how then can I contend with others?

• I can't remember what it is called at the moment, however it is about encouraging the people you agree with. I thought it was all about understanding those you don't. However, agreeing with on negativity on either side is harmful.

• Describing to staff why attitudes towards and responses to racism aren't level across all races/ethnicities.

• Listening to understand rather than to judge.

• Listening better to understand.

• I avoid using terms that are frequently used to differentiate political views.

• Learning about the Living Room Conversation guidelines was enlightening. I can see its use in many group discussions.

• Asking someone why they believe a particular thing.

• Listening to understand how others' personal experiences form their politics, without pre-judging.

• Really trying to listen to people and make sure they know that I have heard them before I respond.

• Empathy.

• More effective listening and understanding of another's perspective; and respecting it.

• Listening closely to better understand other perspectives.

• Listening better and affirming what I heard.

• Listening to understand.

• Examining my own tendencies to polarize.

• Deeper listening and looping back to ensure I understand what others are saying and thinking.

• Looking at my own judgments of others and switching from judging to curiosity. Seeking to understand another's point of view that is different from my own, and what led them to their beliefs.

• Being conscious of sharing airtime with others helps my awareness of how much I speak and how much I listen. This makes space for everyone to be heard.

• Listening to others more carefully without having to share everything I know has opened me up to understanding how and why people believe as they do. I still may not agree with the beliefs, but I can still be respectful to the person.

• Being non-judgmental.

• Listening more for feelings over ideas. Being curious rather than confrontational - trying to understand what they are seeing/hearing so I can better understand them.

• When I answer, "no more than before," it's because I already done that and practiced it, but I didn't learn it with you all. Hope that makes sense!

• From the Braver Angels online workshop: LAPP- Listen Acknowledge and Pivot Expect Pushback- REPEAT I have used this with difficult conversations with extended family and community members and taught it to colleagues. I used some of these strategies when presenting information/family stories about mental illness with law enforcement at CIT trainings with NAMI.
  I have always held a moral imperative for the three points above; doing the work of Bridging Divides has helped this position stay at the forefront in particularly challenging circumstances.

• I've taken a board position with an organization and the topic of DEI&B came up in strategic planning and I was ready to step down from my position. I decided instead to ask the director for a one-on-one meeting and I came away with a better appreciate and understanding. I attribute my willingness to have a healthy conversation instead of closing the door with the help of Bridging Divides.

• Listen without planning for a rebuttal. Be present not perfect.

11. Since learning some bridging strategies how likely are you to initiate a conversation with someone whose political perspectives differ from your own?

Much more likely: 15%
Somewhat more likely: 83%
No more likely: 2%

12. Since learning some bridging strategies how likely has it been for you to find some common ground with people whose political perspectives differ from your own?

Much more likely: 28%
Somewhat more likely: 68%
No more likely: 3%

13. Additional comments about Bridging Divides – El Dorado

• Still trying to implement ideas.

• Not at this time but possibly in the future based on schedule and priorities of the organization.

• I feel disheartened by the Reds and Blues terminology. It still assumes we are different and have no common ground. I understand the logic behind it but I'm not sure it really fully meets the goal of depolarization when we belong to "one side or the other."

• A little short on time, however, I am going to participate in more workshops and grow to facilitate them in the future.

• We'd be interested in any Bridging Divides work for youth (under 14 years).

• Some of the divide issues are created by our top Politicians, thus dividing us by a good or bad examples being portrayed. We must do what we can at every level to make decisions based on facts and reality!

• Thanks for taking on the task of improving/strengthening community bonds.

• Very grateful for this leadership and resources.

• Great organization and super efforts. I may not be available, but I am a huge supporter.

• At a recent Chamber mixer, I asked a couple people what they saw as a problematic divide in our county. The answer was around opposing views on development (building, expansion).

• My lack of using your strategies is directly related to not learning of your website and newsletters until very recently. I will view and read your information and try to use it when needed. Thank you for what you are doing!

• Currently taking personal leave for family and not committing to bridging work.

• Following what is sent by email at present time.

• Thanks for the good work.

• This sounds like excellent work! I was in public relations, and I used to teach people to communicate in a variety of challenging situations. Also was a spokesperson for different companies. I gave a presentation to El Dorado Progressives several years ago on communicating across the divide but have no idea if anything was used or put into practice. I like your organized approach with follow-up, etc.

• Thank-you for getting the ball going in our community!

• Thanks for being here. Our community and our country need you.