+More Perfect Union

🔴 AND WE’RE LIVE. Welcome to +MPU’s National Coffee + Courage Challenge! Americans are on unsteady ground and are feeling uncertain about the future of our country. We've forgotten how to engage with those we disagree with, how to humanize the “other side.” The #CoffeeAndCourage Challenge strikes at the very heart of the problems our nation faces: the ability to connect despite our political differences. We are not Democrats or Republicans. We are Americans, and it's time to stop yelling at our screens and start brewing change, one cup at a time. For more details about how you can participate and who's completed Challenge so far, check out our landing page at the link: https://lnkd.in/eipmp5yY You can support us with a donation here: https://lnkd.in/e8ZE66yi #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #Connections #DisagreeBetter #CoffeeAndCourage #FindingCommonGrounds

We're excited to announce that +MPU the launch of our partnership with GORUCK in Jacksonville, FL, the weekend of November 15th-17th! +MPU HQ Leadership Team Members, Garrett Cathcart, Mary L. Tobin, Trip O'Connell, Victoria Rametta, and Brickyard Leaders Lyndsey Meyer, Nick Horton, will be showing up to GORUCK's Best Rucker Weekend to support, participate in, and host several events! Come meet and connect with us and our GORUCK partners on Friday night (11/15) for a Veterans Town Hall and all of Saturday (11/16) for Rucking, free lunch, and an outdoor screening of the documentary Join or Die Film followed by a conversation about +Service and why joining a club or community-based group could help save your life and America. This will be an eventful weekend in Jax Beach filled with unity and fun for you and your family and friends. It will also all be child-friendly. Please take a gander at the events below. We look forward to seeing you in Jacksonville! 🏃 RSVP for all GORUCK events (Vets Town Hall and Rucks): https://lnkd.in/ezCVspA2 🏃 RSVP for "Join or Die" screening: https://lnkd.in/e7BPcXSe #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #Connections #MPUJacksonville #JacksonvilleBrickyard #JoinorDie #Veterans

As the dust settles on election day, I write to you not just as fellow Americans but as partners in one of the most important endeavors of our time — the work of strengthening and unifying our nation. One truth remains constant: there are far more Americans who yearn for unity than division, more who seek understanding than conflict, more who choose hope over fear. This is why +More Perfect Union exists. For three years, we have been building the foundations of what our country needs most right now: a movement that brings Americans together through social connection, shared service, and civic engagement. In times of uncertainty, remember that some of the most profound acts of patriotism are not fought on battlefields but performed in our own neighborhoods — through a kind word to someone with opposing views, through service to our communities, through the simple act of choosing understanding over judgment. To those feeling lost or frustrated, wondering what they can "do" besides channel their emotions into angry social media posts, yelling at their TV or despair — we offer a home and a way forward. +More Perfect Union provides the platform, the purpose, and the community to transform that energy into meaningful action. We don't just talk about change; we create it, community by community, conversation by conversation, action by action. To those feeling joyful and who might be tempted to rest on recent victories — we invite you to join us in building something even bigger. Resist the urge to gloat or taunt, for there is work that requires all of us, across every divide. Your energy and your optimism are exactly what's needed to help others find their path forward. This is our shared country and democracy, regardless of how any of us voted. Our mission has never been more vital. Through shared service, we will strengthen our communities, proving that what binds us together is far stronger than what pulls us apart. We will demonstrate that civic engagement is not a spectator sport but a daily practice — one that requires our active participation, our thoughtful consideration, and our unwavering commitment. Above all, we will show that true patriotism is measured not by volume but by action, not by what we say but by what we do to make our communities and our country stronger. In the coming days and weeks, we will launch initiatives that give Americans concrete ways to strengthen their communities and our democracy. We will provide spaces for meaningful dialogue, opportunities for service, and platforms for civic engagement that transcend political divisions. Remember, what sets us apart is not just what we do, but how we do it — with respect, dignity, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every American to contribute to our national story. The work ahead will not be easy, but then again, nothing worth doing ever is. I could not be prouder to stand alongside each of you as we write this next chapter in American history.

Words from our Executive Director, Garrett Cathcart, after the Election, and how we have a lot of work to do on the local level, together. #DisagreeBetter #FindingCommonGrounds

Words from our Founder, Jake Harriman about what's to come before and after Election Day. Above all, let's be respectful and kind to one another. #DisgreeBetter #Findingcommongrounds #Vote

🍿 Morristown Brickyard Leaders Sam LaNasa and Ryan Enriquez in New Jersey also hosted a Join or Die Film screening in their local theater! The documentary features social scientist Robert D. Putnam's research on the decline of American community connection and how it relates to our democracy's current crisis. Joined by Digital Media Specialist Maina Chen and over 40 others, the theater was filled by local Rotary Club of Morristown members, veterans, Rutgers University Political Science professors, church pastors, and more. +MPU members and newcomers hung around the theater to chat about why it was important to be a part of community-based programs and clubs, now more than ever, based on such striking increases in individualism. A couple of people even stayed around long after the screening was over to talk about how they can be positive influences in the community and decided to seek out more opportunities to be involved actively. An active retiree told Sam how excited she was to see younger folks like himself, Ryan, and Maina so engaged. "It's exciting to see people without grey hair so involved in trying to make their community better!" she said. 📽️ The movie theater owner himself was eager to host the event and learn about our org's mission and was keen on hosting more events in the future. This sounds like the start of a budding partnership to us. We can't wait to see how this grows, team! #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #Connections #MPUMorristown #MorristownBrickyard #JoinorDie #DisagreeBetter #pluralism

🧑🎓 The students in Wisconsin have got the right idea about democracy! Dairyland Brickyard Leader Naiomi L. was invited to speak at the Student Voting Summit, organized by the Fair Elections Center Campus Vote Project. In the Milwaukee Area Technical College, the summit gathered student leaders from various colleges in the state and equipped them with knowledge about the voting process. About 30 people attended, with a diverse mix of eight college student leaders asking Naiomi for resources on how to engage in difficult conversations while maintaining relationships. 👐 What was most impressive was "the passion these students had for voting," she said. "One was quite thoughtful and courageous in the example he shared about a difficult conversation on reconciling after breaking a commitment to a colleague and friend. Another brought an existing situation to his group, and they talked through it, using the skills and approach we had discussed and how to navigate it for a beneficial outcome for the relationship. They expressed appreciation for the skills, techniques, and approaches shared." Having our leaders build future leaders may be one of the most satisfying ripple effects we could ask for. Superb work, Naiomi! #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #Connections #MPUDairyland #DairylandBrickyard #DisagreeBetter #Vote

Yesterday, I voted early, along with over 47 million people who have already cast their votes in a historic election! While I hope this post encourages many of you to do the same, I wanted to share a brief story on my experience. When I arrived at my voting site in Virginia, I noticed that the sidewalk leading to the building was lined with posters of various candidates from all political sides. It was then that I realized I'd become so focused on the Presidential election that I had not taken the time to REALLY research the candidates at the local level, like school board candidates and many of the city council candidates. Just when I started to panic and feel like the worst citizen ever, I was approached by two people, one woman and one man. Both were older and standing out in the very chilly weather, passing out two flyers. The older woman gave me a flyer that listed all of the Democratic candidates and the positions they were running for, and the older gentleman gave me a flyer that outlined the Republican candidates. They were both sharing a table with their various flyers, snacks, Vote for Harris buttons, and Vote for Trump stickers They shared coffee and a few laughs, and as I walked away, my heart was filled with shock and hope. I was struck by the contrast between what I was experiencing in real life with these two volunteers versus all of the hateful interactions we see every day online. Two people representing two different political parties, sharing coffee, laughs, and table space as they sought to educate voters on their candidates running for office without demeaning one another or resorting to violence...imagine that. In my day job at +More Perfect Union, I lead chapters of volunteer leaders all over America, working to unite their local communities through social connection, service, and civic engagement. It has not been an easy job for our brave volunteers, and I am grateful that they still believe that people from different backgrounds can find common ground and strengthen their communities. Some days I look at social media and the news, and I become incredibly discouraged about the future of our democracy. But yesterday, I found the "light" I was looking for on that sidewalk, and I cast my vote with a little bit more pep in my step. Our country is not perfect, and our democracy has its flaws, but it is only as strong as we the people, make it. #GoVote #civicengagement #MorePerfectUnion #BrickbyBrick

🎙️ Get to know who's leading our DMV Brickyard! Hosted by Gina Baleria, Ed.D., our partners at Civity spoke to Brickyard Leader Ben B. for their latest podcast. In this episode, they cover how Ben finds ways to weave connective tissue in his Washington, D.C. community and how +MPU facilitates this by helping him build relationships among the people around him. Ben is a veteran, dog lover, and one of our first Brickyards Leaders whom we've had the privilege to continue working with. Thank you for your boundless service and dedication, Ben! Civity's mission (seeking to build relationships across differences to transform communities for a world in which everyone belongs) is one that closely aligns with ours. 📣 Listen to the podcast to hear Ben speak on volunteering at +MPU, communities, service (and dogs) here: https://lnkd.in/esAhnJeh 📣 Follow the DMV Brickyard's events here: https://lnkd.in/ej6xuiCm #BrickbyBrick #MPUBrickyard #Community #Connections #MPUDMV #DisagreeBetter #pluralism #network