+More Perfect Union

The idea of America is worth fighting for. Together, through this movement, we will bring our communities together to find common ground; then push beyond that to higher ground, where the freedom of lasting meaningful choices becomes a reality for all of us. ???? — Jake Harriman, +MPU Founder and President ?? Donate here: https://lnkd.in/ep_tF3jr #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #communitybuilding #volunteer #nonprofit #Donate

?? The Silicon Valley Brickyard, led by Douglas S., partnered with the United Way Bay Area to host a free documentary screening of “Home is a Hotel.” Described as a “must-watch” for Bay Area residents, it features the struggle of people who struggle to live in SROs or single-room occupancy housing while being in one of the wealthiest cities in America (San Francisco). Doug opened discussions around #civicengagement, economic inequality, and housing insecurity, having invited an unhoused ambassador to speak on the challenges he endured when he did not have a roof over his head. The group talked about the isolation unhoused people face and how there is a lack of understanding of what causes someone to lose their home. Thank you for facilitating such valuable conversations, Doug! And thank you to the ambassador. It takes real courage to step forward and speak about a vulnerable time in one’s life. #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #Connections #SiliconValleyBrickyard #MPUSiliconValley #Volunteer

America doesn't just happen. It takes brave individuals of a remarkable caliber and grit working every day to build the country we want to live in. We invite you to apply for our 2025 +MPU Fellowship from July 16-20, hosted at the historic University of Montana, to learn how to become an effective local leader in our mission to unite the country and strengthen communities. The Fellowship is an immersive, informative, and intensive weekend that will earn you a renewed drive in how to be a changemaker locally with the potential to affect people nationally. You will be given the tools to develop a +MPU Brickyard chapter in your area and where it can most benefit your community. Fellows selected for the program can expect: ? A 4-day retreat to the 130-year-old University of Montana in Missoula. ? World-class leadership training from notable experts and instructors who have dedicated their professions to the common cause of strengthening our democracy. ? Mountain Rucks, walking trails, and trust-building activities. ? Networking opportunities with influential leaders. ? A renewed perspective on service in our nation. Do you have what it takes to make lasting change in your neighborhood? Apply to find out: https://lnkd.in/epTTcv8C #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #Connections #Fellowship #2025MPUFellowship #Apply #Volunteer

?? "If you're going to wear the American identity, there's a responsibility that comes with that." Our founder, Jake Harriman, was featured on the Jocko Podcast with Jocko Willink and spoke on how, in these unprecedented times, we need leaders on the local level more than ever. Our 2025 +MPU Fellowship is open and taking applications for another week! It will equip you with essential leadership skills and networking opportunities to bring back to and build up your neighborhood and community. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/ecUiWcwe #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #podcast #thoughtleadership #jockopodcast #2025MPUFellowship #Fellowship #Apply

?? What can we do to combat Isolation in America? Our founder, Jake Harriman, spoke with Jocko Willink on the Jocko Podcast about his experiences as a Veteran. After coming back home from serving overseas, he realized that Americans aren't talking with each other anymore, which is leading to an increase in divisiveness. Learn more at mpu.us about how we strive to find ways we can bring people together to find common ground! #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #podcast #thoughtleadership #jockopodcast

?? We're growing! +MPU headquarters is hiring a second full-time Programs Manager to report directly to Mary L. Tobin, the VP of Programs. The main responsibilities of this role are to support all the Brickyard programs, leadership development, and Brickyard Leader events. If you're seeking a career with deep meaning and a significant impact on our country with a high-performing team, this is it! Or if you believe that someone else is a well-suited candidate, send this listing their way! We're looking to hire as soon as available, targeting an April start date or earlier. Full job description (with benefits and requirements listed) on the link below. ?? Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eyafraJW #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #NewHire #Hiring #Apply #joblisting #Communitybuilding

???? Every quarter, the +MPU South Bend Brickyard, led by Brickyard Leader Sara Hunold, puts on its chef's hat to make home-cooked meals for families whose children receive medical attention at the Ronald McDonald House of Michiana! Sara champions repeated involvement in service events like these to strengthen bonds within the community. In a simple act of removing a stressor off their plates, she says it's another way to show care and meet the 20 to 30 people staying at the location. A mother thanked the crew and said how relieving it was not to have to worry about the chore of dinner and instead use that time to be by her child recovering from surgery. Way to show up, Sara! #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #Connections #SouthBendBrickyard #MPUSouthBend #Service #Volunteer

????? Feel the call? Take it from our 2024 cohort who are now Brickyard Leaders for their cities. 15 Fellows from vastly different backgrounds convened in Montana for our annual Fellowship. They built mutual respect for each other — all for the betterment of our shared communities. We are here to strengthen our communities. We are here to empower our Fellows and future Brickyard leaders on the path to immediately making a positive impact when they return home. Apply for the Fellowship or nominate a local leader here: https://lnkd.in/eFtRzsUd Jake Harriman Garrett Cathcart Mary L. Tobin Victoria Rametta Trip O'Connell Brian J. Von Herbulis Alice Garcia, SHRM- SCP Maina Chen #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #Connections #Fellowship #2025MPUFellowship

?? Calling local leaders! The application portal for our annual +MPU Fellowship at the historic University of Montana is now OPEN! We need a lot more local leadership to build a stronger, more united America. Our Brickyard Leaders embody and lead with courage every day to improve local communities nationwide. ?? Fellows will be able to participate in an enriching weekend of world-class leadership training this July 16-20. Stay tuned for weekly updates and spread the word to your network and peers who would make a spectacular 2025 Fellow and eventual Brickyard Leader! Apply here: https://lnkd.in/euUzC2h5 Listen First Project Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) GORUCK BridgeUSA Interfaith America Merging Vets and Players Join or Die Film Warhawk Air Museum Project Recover Wormfarm Institute Vet the Vote Veterans for All Voters Miles of Giving Foundation GenUnity Combined Arms Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency We the Veterans and Military Families Civity #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #Connections #Fellowship #2025MPUFellowship #Apply #Volunteer

Recently, members of the +More Perfect Union Tehachapi Brickyard, mirroring a broader national sense of fatigue and tension, have been seeking guidance on how to engage in meaningful, one-on-one conversations with people with whom they disagree. They express an unprecedented fear of engaging in discussions at family gatherings, in the workplace, and in public spaces. Individuals who once took pride in striking up conversations with strangers now hesitate, and those who view themselves as open-minded find it challenging to listen to differing opinions without becoming upset or defensive. This week, Michael Rohd, a nationally acclaimed facilitator who leads the Co-Lab for Civic Imagination at the University of Montana, came to Tehachapi, California to facilitate a workshop aimed at enhancing listening and connection skills. The session emphasized curiosity, setting boundaries, understanding purpose, and developing the capacity to view every interaction as an opportunity to understand another person's perspective, rather than an occasion for persuasion. During the workshop, he introduced frameworks and tools, shared stories, and fostered conversations. I believe participants left feeling empowered, recognizing that despite the turmoil they experience, they have the ability to reshape the nature and content of their daily interactions. While we all agreed that we should not simply "agree to disagree" on ideologies and policies that can cause harm, it's not everyone's responsibility to constantly convince others that their beliefs or political choices are wrong. Recent research indicates that traditional advocacy methods are being challenged by data showing that merely having the "right" facts is insufficient for effective persuasion and change. Trust is essential. Combating misinformation, building coalitions, expanding support bases, and having challenging yet productive and meaningful conversations with friends, family, or strangers all require some level of trust. And the way we build trust is through connection. We must all have the courage to engage with others in our communities to build connection and trust, no matter how different our worldviews may be. The only real chance we have at reuniting America is by being open and curious, and building relationships whereby we can understand where each other are coming from. +More Perfect Union is a national nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to bridging the divide and healing America. We form local chapters – called Brickyards – to bring people together through social connection, service, and civic engagement events where we build stronger, more resilient communities. Join us! ? Michael Rohd +More Perfect Union