UNLOCK your LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL with CLER
The Civic Leadership Engagement Roadmap (CLER) is an experiential, three-month, self-paced leadership program that guides you from having general civic knowledge to becoming a civic leader.
The three CLER courses, described in detail below, focus on different spheres of government and policy:
CLER 1.0
Founding Principles & Local Government
Spring 2025 Feb 1 – Apr 30
Application Deadline: Jan 6
Summer 2025 Jun 1 – Aug 31
Application Deadline: May 5
Fall 2025 Sep 1 – Nov 3
Application Deadline: Aug 5
CLER 2.0
State & Federal Government
Spring 2025 Feb 1 – Apr 30
Application Deadline: Jan 6
Summer 2025 Jun 1 – Aug 31
Application Deadline: May 5
Completion of CLER 1.0 is a prerequisite for CLER 2.0.
CLER EDUCATION
Education Policy & School Boards
Spring 2025 Feb 1 – Apr 30
Application Deadline: Jan 6
Fall 2025 Sep 1 – Nov 30
Application Deadline: Aug 1
NOTABLE OUTCOMES
Strengthen Your Civic Knowledge: Gain a foundational understanding of local, state, and federal government systems, empowering you to actively participate and influence policy decisions in your community.
Gain Practical Leadership Skills: Develop targeted skills through one-on-one coaching, mastermind sessions, and real-world civic engagement activities tailored to your unique leadership goals.
Amplify Your Community Impact: Enhance your confidence and effectiveness when engaging with government officials, participating in public forums, and becoming a proactive leader.
Build Lifelong Connections: Join a network of passionate, like-minded women committed to free-market solutions, fostering relationships that inspire, challenge, and support your leadership journey.
600+
Women Participated in CLER Since 2020
1000+
Stories of Impact Generated from CLER Grads
120
CLER Grads Assumed Positions of Civic Leadership
62
CLER Grads Led Advocacy Efforts
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Whether you’re new to civic involvement or ready to take your existing leadership to the next level, CLER helps you take purposeful steps toward becoming a more engaged and effective leader. Through our proprietary curriculum, one-on-one coaching, mastermind peer groups, and networking opportunities, you will deepen your understanding of local, state, and federal systems while developing a curated skillset tailored to your leadership goals.
Rooted in free market principles and personal liberty, CLER emphasizes the importance of individual agency and the role that informed, empowered citizens play in shaping their communities. This program is perfect for women who share these values and are eager to take real steps toward greater community engagement. Whether you’re interested in understanding local government, education policy, or the inner workings of state and federal systems, CLER offers a tailored, 3-month approach to help you become a more impactful citizen and leader.
Thanks to the generosity of our partners, we’re able to strategically focus on including women from the military community and female entrepreneurs in our cohorts. Click below to explore more opportunities tailored for these inspiring women.
WHAT GRADUATES SAY
JOIN A SUPPORTIVE NETWORK OF WOMEN LEADERS
At the heart of CLER is the chance to connect with a supportive network of women from diverse backgrounds committed to civic engagement. Through coaching, peer group sessions, and networking with policy leaders, you’ll grow as a leader and build lasting relationships. As you share your unique perspectives, you’ll strengthen this community, which will continue to support you as you advance in your civic leadership journey.
CLER 1.0
FOUNDING PRINCIPLES
& LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Deepen your understanding of the Constitution and broaden your knowledge of local government to enhance your civic engagement.
Constitutional Knowledge: Obtain a greater understanding and appreciation of the founding of our country, the U.S. Constitution, and governmental structure
Government Insights: Gain clarity on how your local government works, including local election processes
Strategic Relations: Build relationships with local elected officials and stakeholders
Leadership Clarity: Identify your unique areas of interest and learn how to best engage with your community at the local level.
After completing CLER 1.0, you’ll have a solid foundation in local government and clarity on your role as a change agent in your community.
CLER 1.0 is a three-month, self-paced course that includes two monthly virtual meetings and approximately six hours of monthly experiential engagement.
CLER 2.0
STATE & FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT
CLER 2.0 invites graduates of the first module of our CLER curriculum to the next level of civic engagement. Expand your knowledge of state and federal government, and learn how to engage stakeholders to increase your impact.
State Political Parties: Gain insight into the structure and values of state political parties, identifying key influencers within the party apparatus.
Legislative Process: Understand how bills are passed at the state level, with opportunities to influence legislation by building relationships with local legislators and providing testimony.
Executive Branch Engagement: Learn how the state executive branch operates, and discover pathways to participate in statewide boards and commissions.
Federal Legislative & Budget Overview: Obtain a foundational understanding of the federal legislative process and the workings of the federal budget.
Judicial System Insights: Develop an understanding of the state judiciary and its role in governance.
After completing CLER 2.0, you will be inspired to become more engaged at the state and federal level.
Spring 2025 Feb 1 – Apr 30
Summer 2025 Jun 1 – Aug 31
Participation in CLER 2.0 is by invitation only for graduates of CLER 1.0.
CLER EDUCATION
EDUCATION POLICY &
SCHOOL BOARDS
The CLER: Education program offers an interactive roadmap to engage with local education stakeholders. Designed for anyone passionate about education, it goes beyond hot-button issues to prepare you as a knowledgeable advocate, informed community member, and potential leader in education.
Student Advocacy: Learn how to effectively advocate for students within the educational system.
Federal and State Roles in Education: Understand the impact of federal and state boards on local school district policies.
District Accountability and Funding: Gain insights into how your school district measures success, is funded, and operates, including decision-making structures.
School Board Service: Explore the responsibilities and logistics of serving on a school board.
Educational Innovation: Discover potential innovations to enhance educational quality and outcomes for students.
After completing CLER: Education, you will be empowered with the tools and information you need to become an education advocate in your community and ensure that excellence in education is the top priority in your local school district.
CLER: Education is a stand-alone course with no prerequisites.
Spring 2025 Feb 1 – Apr 30 – Application Deadline Jan 6
Fall 2025 Sep 1 – Nov 30
Application Deadline Aug 1
Spring 2025 Feb 1 – Apr 30
Application Deadline: Jan 6
Summer 2025 Jun 1 – Aug 31
Application Deadline: May 5
Fall 2025 Sep 1 – Nov 3
Application Deadline: Aug 5
After completing CLER 1.0, you’ll have a solid foundation in local government and clarity on your role as a change agent in your community.
CLER 1.0
FOUNDING PRINCIPLES
& LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Deepen your understanding of the Constitution and broaden your knowledge of local government to enhance your civic engagement.
Constitutional Knowledge: Obtain a greater understanding and appreciation of the founding of our country, the U.S. Constitution, and governmental structure
Government Insights: Gain clarity on how your local government works, including local election processes
Strategic Relations: Build relationships with local elected officials and stakeholders
Leadership Clarity: Identify your unique areas of interest and learn how to best engage with your community at the local level.
CLER 1.0 is a three-month, self-paced course that includes two monthly virtual meetings and approximately six hours of monthly experiential engagement.
CLER 2.0
Spring 2025 Feb 1 – Apr 30
Application Deadline: Jan 6
Summer 2025 Jun 1 – Aug 31
Application Deadline: May 5
After completing CLER 2.0, you will be inspired to become more engaged at the state and federal level.
Participation in CLER 2.0 is by invitation only for graduates of CLER 1.0.
CLER 2.0
STATE & FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT
CLER 2.0 invites graduates of the first module of our CLER curriculum to the next level of civic engagement. Expand your knowledge of state and federal government, and learn how to engage stakeholders to increase your impact.
State Political Parties: Gain insight into the structure and values of state political parties, identifying key influencers within the party apparatus.
Legislative Process: Understand how bills are passed at the state level, with opportunities to influence legislation by building relationships with local legislators and providing testimony.
Executive Branch Engagement: Learn how the state executive branch operates, and discover pathways to participate in statewide boards and commissions.
Federal Legislative & Budget Overview: Obtain a foundational understanding of the federal legislative process and the workings of the federal budget.
Judicial System Insights: Develop an understanding of the state judiciary and its role in governance.
CLER EDUCATION
Spring 2025 Feb 1 – Apr 30
Application Deadline: Jan 6
Fall 2025 Sep 1 – Nov 30
Application Deadline: Aug 1
After completing CLER: Education, you will be empowered with the tools and information you need to become an education advocate in your community and ensure that excellence in education is the top priority in your local school district.
CLER: Education is a stand-alone course with no prerequisites.
CLER EDUCATION
EDUCATION POLICY &
SCHOOL BOARDS
The CLER: Education program offers an interactive roadmap to engage with local education stakeholders. Designed for anyone passionate about education, it goes beyond hot-button issues to prepare you as a knowledgeable advocate, informed community member, and potential leader in education.
Student Advocacy: Learn how to effectively advocate for students within the educational system.
Federal and State Roles in Education: Understand the impact of federal and state boards on local school district policies.
District Accountability and Funding: Gain insights into how your school district measures success, is funded, and operates, including decision-making structures.
School Board Service: Explore the responsibilities and logistics of serving on a school board.
Educational Innovation: Discover potential innovations to enhance educational quality and outcomes for students.
STORIES of IMPACT
FAQ
What is CLER?
The Policy Circle’s Civic Leadership Engagement Roadmap (CLER) is a three-month, self-paced leadership program that allows you to develop a stronger foundation of civic knowledge and build pathways for civic leadership within your community. CLER is designed to inform, prepare, and propel aspiring and emerging women leaders.
What will I get out of CLER?
CLER features a proprietary curriculum, one-on-one coaching, engagement with peer groups, and networking opportunities to allow you to connect with local policy leaders and decision-makers in your community. You will walk away with deeper civic knowledge and a curated skillset tailored to the needs of your community and your civic leadership goals.
Who is CLER meant for?
CLER is designed for curious, civic-minded women from diverse backgrounds aged 18 or older who are looking to expand their impact through local engagement. The program embraces civic engagement rooted in free market principles and personal agency, with participants having aligned values in this philosophy.
Which CLER course is right for me?
There are currently three different CLER courses designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to empower your leadership journey:
- CLER 1.0: Founding Principles & Local Government is an opportunity to take a deep dive into your local government and build a foundational understanding of the U.S. Constitution and government structure.
- CLER 2.0: State & Federal Government (invite-only) is an opportunity to delve deeper into the workings of state political parties, how bills and legislation take shape, and the roles of the three branches of government on the national and local levels.
- CLER: Education is an opportunity to better understand the inner workings of your local school district, the role that the state and federal government play in shaping it, the details of serving on a school board, and more.
What is the time commitment?
CLER is a three-month self-paced course, which includes monthly virtual meetings, and a minimum of six hours of monthly activity, resulting in an estimated 18 hours of total engagement.
How much does it cost to participate?
The program participant fee for CLER is $300, which can be made as a one-time payment or spread out into three payments of $100. Payment must be initiated prior to the first meeting to be enrolled in the program. The Policy Circle wants CLER to remain accessible, so if you are unable to make this commitment, please contact Beth McQueen, The Policy Circle’s Membership Engagement Manager, at [email protected] to request an Award Application.
What are the prerequisites for each CLER course?
There are no prerequisites to participate in CLER 1.0: Founding Principles & Local Government or CLER: Education. Participation in CLER 2.0 is by invitation-only, and participants must have completed CLER 1.0 to be eligible for participation.
What is the withdrawal policy?
Once the CLER program has started, no refunds are given if there’s a need to withdraw. However, we understand that life happens, which might change your plans for finishing the CLER program. If extreme circumstances arise, we will work with you. We also allow you to postpone to a future cohort. If you need to withdraw or postpone, please reach out to us as soon as possible.