What Circle Leaders are Saying About this Year’s Circle Leader Summit!
By Nicole Cline
This year’s Women’s Influence and Leadership Summit is right around the corner! As you may remember, The Policy Circle will be hosting this event filled with interactive leadership training and camaraderie on Friday, November 10th, in Chicago. The Summit this year is focused on Policy Circle Leaders, helping you to lead a thriving circle, broaden your influence, and take action in your community. For more details, see the video below.
New Circle Leader Lisa H. of California is attending this year’s event “because I am so impressed with The Policy Circle concept, the women behind it, and the considerable resources available to Circle members. I believe I will come back with ideas and inspiration that will help the L.A. circle become a success and continue to draw new members.”
Lisa H., Circle Leader in California
Read on for a special Summit-focused Circle Leader profile of Jill J., who is co-leader of the Cincinnati, Ohio Circle, and is also attending this year’s Summit.
What made you decide to attend the Leadership Summit?
I decided to attend the Leadership Summit to meet other circle leaders. I want to learn what’s worked for them and take those ideas back to make our circle even more engaging.
What are you most excited about or looking forward to about the summit?
I am most looking forward to connecting with other strong, female leaders. It’s empowering and inspiring to hear their stories.
How long have you been a Circle Leader?
One year.
Tell us a little about yourself, how you met your co-leader, and why you started a circle together.
Liz and I met at a Policy Circle kick-off event in Cincinnati . We both felt passionate about the mission and wanted to create a circle that would be convenient for us and other working women to attend so we began a circle downtown that meets over lunchtime.
Jill J., Circle Leader in Ohio
How did you become a believer in what human creativity can accomplish in a free market economy?
I have always been fascinated by people who are willing to take the risk to create their own business. The recent evolution of the start-up community in Cincinnati provides a great example of how the free market works. There are endless business ideas, but the market will always decide which ones are good and which ones aren’t so good. The ones that are good will create jobs and opportunities.
What’s the best thing about leading a circle?
The best thing about leading a circle is learning! Each of us brings a different perspective and experience to the table that is valuable to the conversation and helps me to grow as an individual.
What do you think is the most important lesson you’ve learned as a Circle Leader?
The most important lesson I’ve learned as a Circle Leader is to value all opinions.
What’s your circle’s relationship with the free-market think tank in your state?
Some of us are government relations professionals so we are able to easily access these resources and they are excited to be of help as needed.
Any words of wisdom for new Circle Leaders?
Keep focused on the learning aspect and don’t feel like there needs to be a “And so what?” Women are often doers. We have enough on our plate so just enjoy the conversations.
What’s your latest circle conversation about?
Before summer our focus was on poverty given that Cincinnati has one of the highest rates of childhood poverty in the U.S. We’ve decided to shift the focus to taxes since it’s a topic many of us felt we needed to learn more about. The topic is also timely given the conversations at the federal level.
What’s your favorite part about your circle meetings?
My favorite thing about the circle meetings is just how engaged, interested and passionate our members are. They come because they enjoy it and it doesn’t require a huge time commitment from their already busy lives.
What’s next?
We’ve decided to take our time learning each issue area. We’ll discuss the briefs in one meeting and then bring in experts to speak on the topic until we feel ready to move onto the next issue. I’m excited to continue our dialogue, something that is lacking in today’s world!
Interested in joining us at the Summit? Start a circle today!
It’s a movement!
Recommend a Circle Leader. Especially in Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri and Coloradowhere circles are sprouting.
Start a Circle in your neighborhood. Add value in your community by giving women the facts and the space to strengthen their understanding of the issues.
Invest in The Policy Circle. Together let’s build a network of women who want to assume their civic duties and understand the impact of policy in their lives.
The Policy Circle is a 501(c)3 that provides a fact-based, nonpartisan framework that inspires women living in the same community to connect, learn about and discuss public policies that impact their lives. Women across the nation are taking a leadership role in public policy dialogue on what human creativity can accomplish in a free market economy.