Tell us a little about yourself, how you met and why you started a circle together.
Petra: I am native Midwesterner turned New Yorker who got “lured” to a Policy Circle meeting by a friend, given my interest in politics and policy and my desire to be conversant and convincing. Ellen and I didn’t know each other, but having met, decided to march forward in a common cause and bring our two personal networks together!
Ellen: Petra and I were set up by friends who were both very active members of their local Policy Circles. Petra and I met for a “blind brunch” and decided to take the plunge to start the first Policy Circle in NYC— and it’s been incredibly rewarding so far! We are learning a lot from each other and sharing our networks well.
Petra
How did you become a believer in what human creativity can accomplish in a free market economy?
Ellen: I started studying economics when I was living abroad in Egypt because I was so fascinated by the role it plays in everyday lives. I had a front row seat as Egypt struggled to create new, free market-based economic policies following the 2011 Revolution. Later, going to graduate school for economic and financial policy, and now working in the Financial Services industry, I have strived to understand how policy and free markets can support one another. It’s a never-ending struggle to perfect policy, but I truly believe the creative minds in the world today will come together to create change that will work for everyone.
Ellen
What’s your circle’s relationship with the free-market think tank in your state?
Petra: We work with two think tanks: Reclaim NY and the Empire Center. We now hold our meetings at Reclaim’s offices which are centrally located. We are building quite a good relationship with Reclaim and want to give a special shout-out to Candice de Lavore.
Ellen: And Candice has now become a very active Policy Circle Member, offering her network and expertise for research and guest speakers. It’s an incredible think tank – a non-partisan organization promoting data-driven policy research, which we feel coordinates well with our Policy Circle mission.
Any words of wisdom for new circle leaders?
Petra: Do what works for your group and local geography. Get input on what issues people are interested in, speakers they think would be interesting — make Members feel this is THEIR group!
Ellen: And don’t worry too much about repeat attendance or getting active members in the first year—people are busy and have crazy schedules. Each meeting has its own individual fire, and even inspiring one person on one day, you’ve made a difference.
What’s your latest circle conversation about?
Petra: Taxes!! We have the Empire Center presenting–as you know our jurisdiction is one of the most heavily taxed in the United States. It is important to understand what is proposed in Albany and locally in City Council as well as what may happen in Washington and the impact on us.
Ellen: Going to be very timely given the season!
What’s your favorite part about your circle meetings?
Petra: Watching a very diverse group of women (ages, professions, backgrounds) come together, learn and share their views. They walk out at the end of the evening better educated and engaged in the subject matter. Plus we do have some fun!
Ellen: Meeting new women with incredible backgrounds and stories, watching our members break through the “policy not politics” wall, being educated and taking the time to understand policies that affect me and my family, and learning how to get involved and hold our elected officials responsible.
What’s next?
Petra: Public housing will be our next subject!
Ellen: Yes, and our May Meeting will cover an overview of the 2017 NY legislative session, which will have finished by that time. Citizens are really paying attention to what politicians are saying and doing these days, and it’s important to hold them accountable, at the local level especially. I think if our locally-elected officials don’t create policy that actually moves our state forward this year, we will start to see a new level of activism – and look forward to Policy Circle being a part of that!
It’s a movement!
Recommend a Circle Leader. Especially in Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Missouri where 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.