7th Annual Policy Circle Leadership Summit

Join us November 15-17th for the 7th Annual Leadership Summit in Tampa, Florida, for two days of interactive programs with national experts, policymakers, and local change-makers. Secure your spot at the Summit before tickets sell out!

Civic Leadership Engagement Roadmap

Application Deadline: August 18th

To better prepare and equip women to engage in policy and propel them to positions of leadership, The Policy Circle developed its Civic Leadership Engagement Roadmap (CLER) program designed to help emerging and aspiring women leaders expand their impact through civic engagement. 

At the heart of civic engagement are those who have a heart of service, which is why The Policy Circle is excited to offer a unique opportunity specifically for members of the military/veterans community. Thanks to the generous support of the Barbara Stewart and Peter Bowe Foundation, The Policy Circle is able to unleash new opportunities for members of the active duty, veterans and military spouse communities to take part in CLER. Engaging in this high-quality and immersive program, will propel and enhance your next chapter in service. 

Through this initiative, we invite members of the veterans, active duty and/or military spouse community to apply to take part in CLER in 2023. 

About CLER:

CLER is The Policy Circle’s proprietary, self-paced, experiential program that takes participants from having general civic knowledge to becoming civic leaders. This unique leadership program features one-on-one coaching, mastermind peer groups, networking opportunities, and specific activities designed to build solid connections with local policy leaders and decision-makers. CLER offers three distinct courses, each designed to provide a solid foundation to build general civic knowledge and help emerging leaders discover their potential. 

How to Apply for CLER:

To apply for CLER, please complete our CLER Military Initiative Application. Application deadlines for our 2023 cohorts may be found below. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed to ensure that CLER and the module you selected is the right fit for your leadership interests. Those who are accepted and enrolled in CLER are asked to make a one-time $300 contribution as part of their participation in this prestigious leadership program. 

You will: 

  • Build confidence to engage with leaders in your community and drive action
  • Identify personal areas of growth and develop leadership capacity through world-class training 
  • Connect with other women leaders and special guests from across the country
  • Demonstrate awareness of the policies and issues that impact individuals and communities
  • Engage in complex conversations and learn how to navigate diverse perspectives
 
 

 

What Graduates Say:

“The CLER program has helped me understand the fundamentals of the U.S. government, and instilled enough confidence to lead and influence for the betterment of my community. I recommend this program to the people who are immigrants, and have a passion for public service, but do not have a clear understanding of U.S. Constitution and the way government functions.”

Vasavi, Illinois Circle Leader and CLER Graduate

“The depth of material provided through the CLER program strengthened my political knowledge base more than I could’ve imagined. As one who desires to run for political office someday, this program built confidence, knowledge and connections that will last a lifetime.”

Lindsay, Indiana Circle Leader and CLER Graduate

“The Policy Circle’s CLER program helped me determine how to leverage my experience to effect change in my community.”

ZeNai, CLER 2021 Graduate

 

 

 

Applications now accepted for the following cohorts: 

Spring 2023 Cohort: February 1 – April 30
Summer 2023 Cohort: June 1 – August 31
Fall 2023 Cohort: September 1 – November 30

Space is limited.

CLER 1.0:
Founding Principles & Local Government

CLER 1.0 is designed to take you to the next level of civic engagement by guiding you through a deep dive of your local government to help you:

  • obtain a greater understanding and appreciation of the founding of our country, the  U.S. constitution and overall governmental structure
  • gain clarity on how your local government works, including local election processes
  • build relationships with local stakeholders and elected officials 
  • identify your unique areas of interest
  • engage with your community at the local level

After completing CLER 1.0 you will be equipped with a strong foundation of how your local government operates and a deeper understanding of how you fit in as a change agent to become more active in your community. 

CLER 1.0 is a three-month self-paced course, which includes two monthly virtual meetings, and approximately six hours of monthly experiential engagement. 

Spring 2023 Cohort: February 1 – April 30
Summer 2023 Cohort: June 1 – August 31
Fall 2023 Cohort: September 1 – November 30

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.

Graduation from CLER 1.0 is a prerequisite for eligibility in this program.

During CLER 2.0 you will have the opportunity to understand and experience: 

  • the workings of state political parties, what they stand for and who the influencers are in the party apparatus
  • how a bill is passed and possibly make a difference in shaping legislation by building relationships with your local legislators and providing testimony on a bill
  • how the executive branch works while also learning how to participate in the process of appointments to boards and commissions that have statewide impact 
  • how the third branch of government, the judiciary, works in your state
  • an overview of the federal legislative process and how the federal budget works

After completing CLER 2.0 you will be inspired to become more engaged at the state and federal level.  

Spring 2023 Cohort: February 1 – April 30
Summer 2023 Cohort: June 1 – August 31

If you have completed CLER 1.0 and are interested in taking CLER 2.0, please reach out to Beth McQueen, Membership Engagement Manager, at bmcqueen@thepolicycircle.org.

 

CLER 3.0:
Education

The CLER 3.0 Education program is not a series of one-way webinars, but rather an experiential roadmap to active engagement where you will be encouraged to interact with education stakeholders in your community.  

The hot button issues in education are just a small fraction of the responsibilities of a school board member, and what you need to watch for as a parent.  CLER 3.0 Education is a launchpad to prepare you to be an effective advocate with substantive knowledge, to be an informed parent armed with important questions, or to assume a leadership role in education for your community.

During CLER 3.0 Education you will learn about:

  • how to be an advocate for your student
  • the role of the federal government in your local school district
  • the role of the state board of education in your local school district
  • how your local school district measures success 
  • how your local school district is funded
  • how your local school district is structured and who is making the decisions
  • the nuts and bolts of serving on a school board
  • what innovations are possible to provide a high-quality educational experience for students

After completing CLER 3.0, 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 3.0 is a stand-alone course with no prerequisites.

Spring 2023 Cohort: February 1 – April 30
Summer 2023 Cohort: June 1 – August 31
Fall 2023 Cohort: September 1 – November 30