Becki, a CLER Trifecta graduate, is recognized in her home state as a school choice advocate. This spring, she provided testimony for a bill that would provide monies for Missouri families seeking the best education for their children. She shared her personal and professional interest in the ESA discussion, as both a mother of a daughter with special needs and an experienced teacher. “I’ve come to terms with being an example for other moms. This isn’t something that I was looking to do, but I’m going through the doors that open.”
Governor Mike Parsons signed the bill into law on May 8, 2024. SB 727 and HB 2287 contain provisions to increase the funding limit and expand access to Missouri’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts.

Caroline, a CLER 1.0 and 2.0 graduate, was appointed Director of Veterans Affairs in Beaufort in 2023. This allowed her to influence policy and legislation for South Carolina veterans and serve on the Women Veteran Task Force. Her name has been submitted for consideration to serve as a commissioner on the state’s Veteran Trust Fund, and she is now enrolled in CLER: Education, demonstrating her continued commitment to community service. Caroline expressed her confidence in the program, stating: “The Policy Circle provides a solid foundation for participants to build on. After completing the CLER series, participants are inspired and motivated to serve their communities and state. I would recommend CLER to every woman who cares about her community.”

Christine enrolled in CLER eager to make a difference in her community. Now a CLER 1.0 & 2.0 graduate, she has been appointed Deputy Treasurer for her county. “The Policy Circle’s guidance and support has done so much to prepare me for this role and I’m very grateful!”
Her county has almost 400,000 citizens and a 2025 budget of approximately $350 million. This budget covers various departments and services, including public safety, health and human services and infrastructure. In her new role, Christine will help manage county funds and property taxes, essential to her community’s budgeting.

Laura, now a Trifecta graduate, attended a PTO meeting for a CLER assignment. “I have to be honest, without this course, I might not have been as likely to attend this PTO meeting. I don’t know if I would have seen myself as having such an integral role in my son’s education. Thanks to CLER, I understand that my active participation in my son’s learning environment is critical to him!” The experience led her to seek a role on the school advisory board to share her perspectives as an active-duty military parent. CLER provided the opportunity, and Laura discovered a way to impact her community by supporting her local school and her child’s education. “I truly feel that my time in the CLER program empowered me to take on this role.”

Logan, a 2023 CLER 1.0 graduate, leveraged her CLER experience to get involved in her in local community. She applied for a position while enrolled in CLER 2.0 this summer. “I got appointed to the Parkland Dedication and Development Fee Study Advisory Committee in the Town of Addison! CLER helped me take the next steps and gain the confidence to get more involved locally, and I am very grateful for this!”
Thanks to Logan’s participation in CLER, her appointment represents an opportunity to officially engage her local community and ensure responsible development within Addison, Texas.

As a CLER student, Robin was asked to meet with an elected official. In that meeting, Robin learned of the opportunity to run for the school board in her district. “I honestly would not have done any of this had I not first signed up for CLER and had the homework to meet with an elected official (the Mayor) who, in turn, encouraged me to run immediately before the filing deadline in 3 days.” Robin won the November election with over 60% of the vote!
Robin shared that her biggest obstacle was a lack of confidence, which CLER and her cohort members helped her overcome. “I have been learning so much about The Constitution and politics and meeting local leaders. It’s truly overwhelming, knowing where to start, but I’m taking it step by step.”

Sarah applied to the CLER program to increase her civic knowledge and learn effective engagement. “I am one of a handful of grassroots volunteers opposing the passage of Measure G, a permanent sales tax increase on the November ballot. We are the underdog in this effort, having raised about $2,000, whereas the supporters of the tax have generated over $125k in donations from big developers and other vested interests that stand to gain from the passage of the tax increase.”
Over 86,000 people would be affected if this measure had passed. Sarah and her team were thrilled to learn that the measure did not pass, with over 62% voting no. “Thank goodness we were able to successfully defeat the tax by appealing to everyday people and without the deep pockets the Yes side of Measure G had.”