More Perfect Union

If you believe in making genuine connections with people you might never have met through meaningful conversations — you're in the right place. More Perfect Union ( MPU) is a nonprofit whose mission is to build meaningful connections and close divides throughout the country. We create community engagement through our Brickyards based on our core values of Service, Mercy, Hope, Humility, Virtue, and Courage. Veteran-led, we train local service-minded leaders to build a foundation on leadership development, service, and civic education. We can accomplish more united than divided, and we need to meet our neighbors, serve and break bread together, and talk through the hard discussions to reach common ground for each other, our community, and our country. Join the movement to be a part of our future events and how we're growing at the link here: https://lnkd.in/eyVNMaC5 👈

🕊️ It's easy to become cynical. It takes courage to remain hopeful. This core value underpins the very foundation of our organization and everything we do. We operate through our volunteer and service projects, leadership enrichment, voter empowerment, civic education, and the simple yet powerful act of sitting down to talk and leading with action afterward at our social gatherings. Every member and leader in More Perfect Union inherently carries the hope that we can and will be better. And this is precisely why we hold an annual fellowship every year: to reignite the spark—the hope—that we all move forward together.

🏔️ Every year, it builds up to this. This is the moment that revitalizes the spirit of hope within our communities and across our nation. Of the numerous applicants who applied for our 2024 Fellowship, 15 have made it through a transformative weekend and will now lead a Brickyard Chapter in their area. 🌠 Once again, please give the warmest welcome to our 2024 cohort! Thank you all for such a riveting weekend of hard-hitting questions, charismatic speakers (Rukaiyah Adams, Whitley Yates, Jen Easterly, Dale King), and active listening. You've all shown a necessary and intentional vulnerability that will propel us to keep fighting for collective change that will empower our communities. We wouldn't have wanted to do such leadership training with anyone else amid one of the best views of the Montana mountains. We're beyond honored to say it's because of all the outstanding people who champion our mission to bring people together through service events, civics (i.e., knowing your rights as a voter), and social gatherings. Stay tuned for our rollout of these newly minted Brickyard Leaders and their chapters! Roxanne Shepherd Rebecca Kern 🟡🟢 Rebecca Connell Nick Horton Melissa Sims, Ph.D. Lyndsey Meyer Lawrence Tuider Jr. Josh Wheeldon Janett I. Cordovés, Ed.D. Jaquennette Harris Gabrielle Newell, M.Sc. Paul Tiede Matthew Taylor Christopher Legier Dee clancy #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #2024MPUFellowship #MPUFellowship #Fellowship

Just spent an amazing weekend in Missoula, Montana for the third annual More Perfect Union fellowship. More Perfect Union is a nationwide movement to strengthen our communities and heal our country by creating meaningful connections through service and leadership. We form local chapters – called Brickyards – to bring people together through service, civics, and leadership. Led by veterans and service-minded individuals, Brickyards create events to connect people who would not otherwise meet. I believe this is what I was born to do and I’m so grateful to have been one of 15 people selected out of 150 applicants (this year) to lead this important work. Connection is the answer to the division in America. Choosing hope is essential. We must all have the courage to lead with love, embrace our humanity, and remember that we have far more that unites us than divides us in this great country that, while not perfect, is always striving to become a more perfect union. 🇺🇸 If interested in joining us and getting involved with this movement, you may learn more here: https://www.mpu.us/ More Perfect Union Victoria Rametta | Mary L. Tobin | Jake Harriman | Garrett Cathcart | Trip O'Connell | Alice Garcia, SHRM- SCP | Maina Chen | Brian J. Von Herbulis | Melissa Sims, Ph.D. | Gabrielle Newell, M.Sc. | Matthew Taylor | Janett I. Cordovés, Ed.D. | Nick Horton | Rebecca Connell | Roxanne Shepherd | Lyndsey Meyer | Lawrence Tuider Jr. | Whitley Yates | Christopher Legier | Josh Wheeldon | Jaquennette Harris | Paul Tiede | Dee Clancy

🌟WOW!🌟Just spent an incredibly inspiring few days in beautiful Missoula, Montana with the More Perfect Union team and Class of 2024 fellows. Founded by my dear friend Jake Harriman, MPU is a nationwide movement led by veterans and service-minded individuals to strengthen our communities and bridge the divides that exist by creating meaningful connections through service, civics, and leadership. In addition to spending time with the Fellows, I got to hear from inspiring speakers including Whitley Yates & Rukaiyah Adams as well as the amazing MPU leadership team, including Garrett Cathcart, Mary L. Tobin, Alice Garcia, SHRM- SCP, Victoria Rametta, Brian J. Von Herbulis, Trip O'Connell, and Maina Chen. Even got to take an early morning walk with the team on the University of Montana campus led by the legendary Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Richard Rice. Am so excited for the work the amazing Fellows will do when they return to their communities around the country. Learn more about them and the overall MPU program at https://lnkd.in/eC5xZwbe. Roxanne Shepherd Rebecca Kern 🟡🟢 Rebecca Connell Paul Tiede Nick Horton Melissa Sims, Ph.D. Matthew Taylor Lyndsey Meyer Lawrence Tuider Jr. Josh Wheeldon Janett I. Cordovés, Ed.D. Jaquennette Harris Gabrielle Newell, M.Sc. Dee Clancy Christopher Legier

🧱 Follow Mary L. Tobin's MPU journey as we enter our 2024 Fellowship! Having gone from a member at our inaugural event in Atlanta ➡️ 2022 Fellow ➡️ a Brickyard Leader ➡️ Director of Programs for the MPU Leadership Team, Mary is a core part of our organization. Journeys like these are possible for our members and more of what we hope for as we continue to launch new Brickyard Chapters throughout America. Expect more moments like these from our upcoming Fellowship starting tomorrow, the 20th. 👀 Watch as it happens live from our Instagram Stories #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #2024MPUFellowship #MPUFellowship #Fellowship

🧱 Who would’ve thought that this video showed our Programs team forming in real-time? We’ve focused on what our 2024 Fellowship can do for incoming fellows, but we also want to mention how it can directly impact you as a member. Our current Programs Manager, Trip O'Connell, shares his MPU journey. Trip’s trip: MPU member ➡️ 2023 MPU Fellow ➡️ ATX Brickyard Leader ➡️ Programs Manager for the MPU Leadership Team! 💫 He didn’t just happen to become a pivotal part of the team. He did so through a structured pipeline that encouraged his growth within his Austin, TX, community and ours! Moments like these are what you can expect from our coming Fellowship on the 20th. #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #2024MPUFellowship #MPUFellowship #Fellowship

🌎 Community is blooming in #Wisconsin! The Dairyland Brickyard partnered with four organizations (City of Cedarburg Parks & Recreation Department - Forestry, Baha'i Community of Cedarburg, Cedarburg Green) to make its "Love Your Mother" event! 🌳 Over 20 people, between 4 and 90 years old, ate together, planted trees, and cleaned up Pioneer Park while chatting via a conversational bingo exercise. Three of these organizations are a part of the OCER Ozaukee Community Equity Roundtable, and foresters Kevin and Matt led the planting effort. Nearly all of the people involved are of faith and from diverse backgrounds: three high school sophomores, an older man with his mother, a seminarian woman, a pastor who enjoys Howard Thurman’s writings and works on social justice issues, a pastor from Milwaukee who has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights in the city, an Indian woman who immigrated to support her disabled son and Princeton professor daughter, and a mother who is involved with many orgs such as Braver Angels, the local school board and county board and wants to see more equity throughout the city and country. 💚 "This was truly a welcoming event," says Brickyard Captain Naiomi Ludman. "People were helping each other and sharing small stories about their lives. Little ones delighted the adults with their curiosity and helpfulness. Seniors expressed joy in connecting with others who shared some experiences in their long lives. It felt like the beginning of something special." #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #Connections #MPUDairyland #DisagreeBetter #DairylandBrickyard #Events

🏔️ Meet our 2024 Fellows! We are thrilled to announce our 2024 MPU Fellowship Cohort, who will join us for an inspiring and motivating weekend at the University of Montana. 🧱 15 Fellows across 10 states will aim to start new Brickyard chapters in their area. They come from diverse backgrounds, including veterans and service-minded individuals. It’s neither an easy nor a small feat to pick up the mantle and dig in for a road of hard work. For a community to grow and prosper, a solid foundation must be built first, and our Brickyard leaders aim to do just that. Brick-by-Brick. Learn more about them in our blog here: https://lnkd.in/eNXGpg5C 👈 Roxanne Shepherd, Rebecca Kern 🟡🟢, Rebecca Connell, Paul Tiede, Nick Horton, Melissa Sims, Ph.D., Matthew Taylor, Lyndsey Meyer, Lawrence Tuider Jr., Josh Wheeldon, Janett I. Cordovés, Ed.D., Jaquennette Harris, Gabrielle Newell, M.Sc., Dee Clancy, Christopher Legier Jake Harriman, Garrett Cathcart, Victoria Rametta, Mary L. Tobin, Maina Chen, Trip O'Connell, Brian J. Von Herbulis, Alice Garcia, SHRM- SCP Hai Doan #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #2024MPUFellowship #MPUFellowship #Fellowship

🍵 RSVP to the Chicago Brickyard’s second annual Juneteenth Tea Party! Last year’s attendees spoke highly about how the event was both informative and fun. Juneteenth marks a momentous chapter in American history. This commemorative event is intentionally crafted with a variety of activities to deepen our understanding of its historical significance. We’ll also provide a space to engage in thoughtful conversations about freedom and invite you to explore the rich history of tea, which draws connections between its cultural significance and the resilience of a community that has triumphed over adversity. Join Brickyard Leaders Sidney Covington, LMSW, and Dan Biga in celebrating the spirit of Juneteenth as we sip tea, share stories, and foster a sense of unity. Together, let us honor the struggles and triumphs that have shaped our collective journey toward freedom. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/eEVBAiyy 👈 #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #ChicagoBrickyard #MPUChicago #Juneteenth #Teaparty #event