FAITH and CIVIC LIFE
INITIATIVE
The Policy Circle’s new Faith & Civic Life Initiative is a national effort to address the important role that faith plays in civic leadership, policymaking, and building cohesive, healthy communities. This Initiative will include a series of regional events, virtual programming, a newly-published “Faith and Civic Life” policy brief, and a cohort of female faith leaders from non-profits and educational institutions to participate in our Spring 2025 Civic Leadership Engagement Roadmap (CLER) leadership training program.
Through all of these events and programming elements, the Initiative will explore the impact of religious engagement on active civic life, as well as the reasons that faith-based institutions are uniquely positioned to solve local problems. The data shows the immense influence that faith and faith-based organizations have on our society, yet faith is largely absent from most policy conversations and political debates. Ultimately, our goal is to equip more civic leaders to draw from their faith to lead with integrity, and to boost support for faith-based initiatives that are vital to deploying innovative solutions to challenges like housing, immigration, poverty, mental health, and addiction.
THE SYMPOSIUM
On Monday, September 30th, The Policy Circle hosted an engaging and inspiring day at the Museum of the Bible, featuring a conversation with Virginia’s Governor and First Lady followed by panel discussions on the future of religious liberty in America and the impact of faith values on elections and public policy. Read the recap blog here and stream the panels from the Symposium below:
FAITH AND CIVIC LIFE POLICY BRIEF
The basis of The Policy Circle’s programming is timely and approachable Policy Briefs, providing historical context and baseline knowledge while outlining issues and proposed innovations. In addition to a discussion guide that will prompt action and foster conversation, the new Faith & Civic Life Brief covers our founding principles, religious freedom, faith-based institutions, and the role of faith in civic life and leadership.
VIRTUAL EVENT WITH IAN ROWE
Ian Rowe, Senior Fellow at AEI and CEO and Co-Founder of Vertex Partnership Academies, joined The Policy Circle’s CEO, Stacy Blakeley, for an inspiring conversation on the intersection of faith and civic engagement – streamed live on Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024.
CLER FOR FAITH LEADERS
ABOUT CLER
The Policy Circle’s Civic Leadership Engagement Roadmap (CLER) is a self-paced, experiential program that takes participants from having general civic knowledge to becoming civic leaders over the span of three months. Our innovative curriculum is action-oriented, ensuring that participants not only learn about civic engagement, but also apply their knowledge to effect real change in their community. Through one-on-one coaching, mastermind peer groups, networking opportunities, and curated activities, participants will forge connections with local policy leaders and decision-makers, amplifying their impact and influence.
THE FAITH-BASED COHORT
In line with our Faith and Civic Life Initiative, The Policy Circle will recruit, train, and activate female leaders from faith-based non-profits and educational institutions to participate in a first-of-its-kind civic leadership training program designed specifically with female faith leaders in mind. This program, launching in Spring 2025, will include all of the usual CLER components (training, peer groups, and mentorship) but will also culminate with an in-person retreat and customized Day at the Capitol experience in Austin, Texas. This application-based program will be highly competitive and limited to 25 participants. Nominations for candidates will open in Fall 2024.
The Policy Circle’s Faith & Civic Life Initiative aims to connect the dots between faith, public service, faith-based organizations, and religious freedom. We want to engage faith communities to consider the importance of civic leadership and showcase the power of faith-based organizations to address some of our country’s biggest challenges. We also want to provide practical guidance on how government, faith-based groups, and citizens can work together to protect religious freedoms that are vital to a flourishing democracy. Want to partner with us on this initiative? Email Randan Steinhauser at [email protected].