Common Defense, a grassroots veterans’ organization representing over 400,000 members across the US, works to build the leadership of veterans to promote equitable and representative democracy, where “liberty and justice” truly is for all.
The leadership of Common Defense came to The Uplands from October 5-9 for a changemaker retreat focused on strategic planning. After a welcome dinner that featured a collaboration between the organization’s Executive Director’s gumbo and The Uplands’ culinary team, the group settled in to rest.
They began their first full day on retreat with a guided Wellness Walk, noting the changing colors among the leaves on the trees and the ground. That set the tone for the start of their meeting, where they refocused on their organizational mission and values and scanned the wider ecosystem of groups working similar terrain. After a lunch of lemon cannellini soup with chicken, oatmeal rolls, Greek salad and cookies, they they worked to identify the results they’re intending in their yearly strategic plan. Dinner consisted of Swedish meatballs with braised cabbage, roasted honey nut squash and kale salad from the Uplands garden, and topped off with a desert of apples stuffed with caramel sauce. That was followed by a sound bath in the yoga room which settled bodies and spirits.
Their second day started with a yoga class followed by a hearty breakfast. The group then drilled down on their intended objectives and results that will guide their strategic plan, as well fundraising opportunities. A dinner of wild-caught ahi tuna with fried rice, pumpkin pancakes and Asian slaw was followed by a competition featuring several very spicy brands of hot sauce. They capped the evening with karaoke and warm conversations well into the night.
Aware that the group might need a “pick-me-up” the following morning, Uplands chefs prepared waffles, cheesy eggs, fresh berries and whipped cream, after which participants reconvened to outline timelines and communications strategies for their organizational strategic plan. On their final night at The Uplands, the group joined a guided night walk, where we made moon shadows as we walked up to the Vista shed.
We are proud to host this committed group of veterans and changemakers, and look forward to seeing them win in their efforts to defend an inclusive and just democracy.
