The Policy Circle's Military Outreach Initiative

Appointed to the Military Academy Selection Board: A Commander in the US Navy, Jessica is nearing retirement and thinking about her next chapter. She learned about The Policy Circle’s CLER program while attending the Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium in July 2023. Now a graduate of CLER 1.0: Founding Principles and Local Government, Jessica realizes she has not invested in her local community. “I am sharing my newfound knowledge with family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. I find that even those of us who have lived in this area for an extended period of time have little understanding of how our government works.” She has learned to use her voice and gained notice. She was asked to consider applying to the Military Academy Selection Board. Her application was accepted and she was appointed in October 2023. Jessica is now considering a future run for city council. CLER provided a spark that ignited Jessica’s vision of how she could continue serving her country well beyond her military career. Her military leadership experience will serve her well in reviewing and recommending candidates for our nation’s service academies.

Appointed to Local Advisory Board: Marjorie is passionate about serving her community and her country. A combat veteran and Bronze Star recipient, Marjorie was the ideal candidate to connect the military community with The Policy Circle as our Leadership Fellow. To familiarize herself more with our organization, she enrolled in CLER. “CLER opened my eyes in a profoundly new way - the people who show up at the local level are the ones who make the decisions. Therefore, we MUST show up.” She applied to join her city’s Volunteer Advisory Board and now sits on the Economic Development Committee.

Serving as Precinct Chair: Amy, now a CLER graduate, signed up to serve as a poll worker with her 16-year-old daughter for a CLER assignment. “Our little effort helps contribute to supporting tens of thousands of people as they exercise their right to vote.” Deciding to become more involved in local elections, Amy is now a GOP Precinct Chair in her county. Though stepping out of her comfort zone can be “a little scary,” Amy embraces new opportunities to serve her community. “Several thousand county residents are assigned to my precinct, allowing me to serve quite a few people as precinct chair, poll worker, and voter registration volunteer on and in the lead-up to the various election days this year.”

Elected to School Advisory Board: 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. She’s to join her first meeting as a newly elected board member. 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.”

Caroline, a member of her local Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Military Enhancement Committee, joined a task force to repurpose a 1940s Naval Hospital facing closure. Appointed as an ex-officio member, she brought her 25 years of planning expertise from the US Marine Corps to the table. Now, with the committee's vision to repurpose the property, thousands of citizens will benefit from it. “CLER provided the framework and the encouragement to get involved, to make a difference.”

Advocating for Military Families: Ginger is an active-duty military spouse and recent CLER 1.0 graduate. At a city council meeting, Ginger made a public comment which led to a meeting with the mayor to discuss the needs of military families and how the local government could better support them. “I had no hopes of engaging in a productive conversation if I came across as aggressive or angry in my initial interactions with people. In my reflections on my experience, I wish I had posed my questions rather than making hard-hitting statements. I am thankful to learn this now before I have potentially higher-stakes interactions with senior Coast Guard leadership or members of Congress.” Moving every few years as a military family, CLER has taught Ginger that her voice matters and her experiences have value. “This really wouldn't have happened without the education, exposure, and encouragement that CLER has provided me. I don't know what's next for me, but I'm excited!”

Appointed to Local Advisory Council: CLER graduate Wandaliz applied for a city board appointment, but the limited number of available seats made an appointment difficult. Not giving up, she was accepted to a city-sponsored program to learn more about her local government, its people and its processes. Due to a chance meeting with her mayor at a community event, she took the opportunity to discuss her nomination to the Community Services Advisory Council. Within weeks of reviewing her application, Wandaliz received her appointment.