Policy Circle CO

Founded in 2015, The Policy Circle is committed to providing pathways for women to become courageous, knowledgeable and active citizens who identify and take ownership of local solutions to the issues facing their communities. The Policy Circle is a starting point for people who feel on the sidelines or boxed in and want to have an impact. Our initiatives are built around original, thoughtfully curated Policy Circle Briefs that provide a substantive yet approachable 360 view of issues that impact people and businesses' ability to innovate, grow and be self-reliant. Our growing and thriving community is a diverse group of aspiring leaders who regularly go beyond the headlines to transform conversations and their communities by advancing policies that provide greater opportunity and better lives for all - especially the most vulnerable.

The Policy Circle focuses on three distinct pathways to build women into courageous and engaged leaders:

1. Recruiting Women to Lead. The Policy Circle is a starting point for women to engage in dialogue on the impact of public policy on human prosperity in an open economy. Our strategic, grassroots model gives a forum for women to lead in their communities by building confidence to voice their informed opinions on policy issues through leading Policy Circle discussions centered around thoughtfully curated Policy Circle Briefs.
2. Live and Virtual Programming. Through in-person and virtual events, members connect and build relationships with each other, thought leaders and strategic partners who help go beyond the headlines and advance our shared principles.
3. World-Class Civic Leadership Training. We work with emerging leaders to grow their impact through civic engagement. This innovative, action-oriented curriculum was designed to educate, prepare and build the next generation of public leaders.

By focusing on these three areas, The Policy Circle is able to make a meaningful impact on women's leadership and representation on a local, state and federal level across the country.

Over the last six years, The Policy Circle has achieved great growth using a sustainable model through efficient operations to:

- Provide governance of the hundreds of circles across the country, The Policy Circle national board oversees the management of the organization and sets the strategy for the future.
- Fund the infrastructure of The Policy Circle, fundraising, stewardship and grant writing activities are needed to continue the growth of the organization.
- Leverage our network of thought leaders and aspiring leaders to bring The Policy Circle community together to create meaningful change.

The Policy Circle is operated by a lean, efficient team utilizing cloud technologies and remote associates to reduce costs. Good governance policies and procedures are enforced, such as accounting audits and internal financial controls, along with proper legal services and insurance coverage. Importantly, The Policy Circle communicates regularly with its donors and supporters to keep them informed on the progress and outcomes of The Policy Circle.

In six years, our membership has grown to more 3,500 women in 340 circles in 42 states and four countries.

The Policy Circle offers regional events, engagement opportunities, and circle leader training in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Washington and the District of Columbia. A pivot in 2020 has lead The Policy Circle to host monthly virtual experiences featuring topics such as Healthcare, socialism, economic growth, financial literacy, human trafficking and rebuilding trust in America.

The Policy Circle hosted its fourth Policy Circle Leadership Summit in Chicago on November 15, 2019 bringing together over 350 Policy Circle leaders, members and supporters with outstanding speakers and panelists -- to explore the theme of Living and Leading in a Connected World. Outstanding speakers include Admiral Mike Rogers, former director of the NSA, Seema Verma, Administrator for Medicare and Medicaid Services at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Ambassador Nancy Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Promise Fund, and Denise Morrison, former CEO of Campbell Soup. Afternoon panels will explore Strategic Questions Leader Ask, Facilitating Complex Discussions and Expanding Influence, Interacting with your Representatives, Building Your Brand and Your Network and Establishing Yourself as a Civic Leader. The Summit was a mix of networking opportunities combined with plenary sessions and how-to workshops. Following The Policy Circle Annual Summit, attendees will return to their communities energized and ready to share their experience with their friends and neighbors. The Annual Summit inspired members to become more vocal proponents for freedom and free enterprise policies. The next Policy Circle Summit will be in the fall of 2021 to explore Power and Water.