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The Clara Project

Jump to: Apply to Participate | Apply to Facilitate | Dates | FAQs

In 2019, Gamma Phi Beta introduced The Clara Project (TCP), a virtual learning opportunity for members seeking to enhance their board-level competencies and develop high-level leadership skills.

The Clara Project offers leadership development and educational opportunities for our alumnae members and prepares interested members for committee and board-level service within Gamma Phi Beta and beyond. The Clara Project represents our desire to continue to empower, educate and support the leaders – our members – of today and tomorrow.

Over eight sessions, TCP participants will engage in online educational modules, small group work and self-assessments all while gaining exposure to current and past Gamma Phi Beta leaders and current International Council initiatives.  

Apply to participate!

Any alumna member in good standing (current on annual international alumnae dues or a Life Loyal member) is welcome to apply. We are seeking alumnae familiar with nonprofit volunteerism and board-level service and who want to enhance their leadership skills as they look to future volunteer and board-level service in Gamma Phi Beta. Leadership skills gained through TCP will also be applicable to a member’s professional development and volunteer service outside of Gamma Phi Beta. 

Am I a good candidate for this program?

If you meet more than one of these criteria, you may be a good candidate for TCP!

  • I can demonstrate skills and experiences that support current Sorority needs.
  • I have engaged with a Gamma Phi Beta program or volunteer opportunity within the past five to 10 years.
  • I feel that I could serve within the next two to four years in a leadership role for the organization.
  • I have significant leadership development experience outside of the Sorority.

Participants are expected to attend all eight sessions. TCP curriculum is designed to develop participants’ knowledge and skills in alignment with Gamma Phi Beta’s Member Competencies as well as the following learning outcomes. The Clara Project may be a strong fit for those seeking to hone their leadership abilities in one or more of the following areas.

By the end of TCP, participants should be able to…

  • Articulate the core responsibilities of a board.
  • Identify individual strengths and skill gaps in relation to board service or committee leadership.
  • Apply board-level skills to a case study analysis exercise.
  • Determine where skills gained through TCP are best applied.

How do I apply?

The TCP participant application for the fall 2025 cohort opens July 2025. The application includes three essay questions that should be responded to in 300 words or less. To help you prepare your responses, the essay questions are listed below.

  • Consider your personal strengths and opportunities for growth. Which Gamma Phi Beta member competency group (Be Yourself, Grow with Others, Lead your Community or Learn for a Lifetime) would you like to explore and strengthen and why?
  • Participants should possess a strong foundational knowledge of BEDI competencies and be an advocate for social justice. How have you moved toward active allyship? Please provide an example.
  • What intrigues you most about participating in TCP? What do you hope to gain/achieve from this experience?  

Apply to FACILITATE!  

The Clara Project is led by a team of facilitators who deliver session content. The TCP facilitators are instrumental in creating a high-impact learning experience for all TCP participants. It is strongly encouraged that TCP facilitators have either previously participated in TCP or have past Gamma Phi Beta facilitation experience. Facilitators must also participate in all training and session dates.

The TCP facilitator application for those interested in facilitating for the fall 2025 session opens July 2025. The application includes three essay questions that should be responded to in 300 words or less. To help you prepare your responses, the essay questions are listed below.

  • Why do you want to facilitate for TCP?
  • How do you create a sense of belonging for your audience in a virtual space?
  • How do you adapt your facilitation style to meet the needs of your audience?  
  • As a facilitator, how do you know that your facilitation has been successful? 

When and where does tCP take place?

The Clara Project is an eight-week virtual learning opportunity that takes place during September and October annually. Session dates for the fall 2025 session are included below. All sessions are hosted on Wednesday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m. MT.

  • Facilitator training (participants do not need to attend): Wednesday, August 20 at 6 p.m. MT
  • Session 1: Wednesday, September 10, at 6 p.m. MT
  • Session 2: Wednesday, September 17, at 6 p.m. MT
  • Session 3: Wednesday, September 24, at 6 p.m. MT
  • Session 4: Wednesday, October 1, at 6 p.m. MT
  • Session 5: Wednesday, October 8, at 6 p.m. MT
  • Session 6: Wednesday, October 15, at 6 p.m. MT
  • Session 7: Wednesday, October 22, at 6 p.m. MT
  • Session 8: Wednesday, October 29, at 6 p.m. MT
  • Facilitator debrief (participants do not need to attend): Wednesday, November 5 at 6 p.m. MT

Anyone interested must commit to attending all session dates, as the success of the program relies on group interaction and participation. Participants are expected to complete learning opportunities between sessions, as assigned within the curriculum. We estimate a total time commitment of 30 hours throughout the course of the program. 

Testimonials 

Katherine Pezzella (Colgate) is a proud Gamma Phi Beta volunteer at the local and international levels, an educator, student affairs administrator and fraternity professional. She is also a past participant of TCP. “It can be hard for women to achieve positions in nonprofit and for-profit leadership at the highest levels. Often, it's a situation where one needs previous experience with board service to be selected for board service. Whether you have experience or not, TCP is a unique, practical, outcomes-based program that will help you further develop skills you likely already have so you can be confident in communicating what you bring to the board table.”  

Selina Ruiz (Pepperdine) is a community leader, volunteer and former educator. Selina shares the following about her experience in TCP: “The Clara Project was a great opportunity to practice board level case scenarios with a team of diverse thinkers. Being able to facilitate within the same year provided me a bird's eye view of just how talented our sisters are and what the future could look like for Gamma Phi Beta. We should count ourselves lucky to be in the company of such talent.” 

Amy Sensiba (Southeast Missouri State) is a special education leader with 25 years of experience, a Special Olympics coach, a proud member of Gamma Phi Beta and a mom and wife. When reflecting on her TCP experience, Amy shares, “Through the engagement with my cohort of sisters and the constant support from my mentor in TCP, I developed my leadership skills and increased my knowledge of board-level competencies. The TCP experience truly prepared and empowered me to reach for my goals both inside and outside of Gamma Phi Beta.” 

Dr. Ashley Lang (Northern Iowa) is a leader in higher education, coaching, Gamma Phi Beta, Girls on the Run of Eastern Iowa, Cedar Valley Roller Derby, Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls, and her family. Ashley shares the following about her experience as a TCP facilitator: “Facilitating TCP has been so rewarding! I've had the opportunity to witness the (re)engagement of some of our most outstanding sisters and their hunger for growth of themselves and our organization. While the journey is personal to each participant, it's amazing to bear witness to the transformations that occur for future leaders of our sorority and community.” 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply?  

The Clara Project participant and facilitator applications  July, 2025. Interested participants and facilitators may begin preparing application materials at their leisure using the essay questions provided on this page. Revisit this page in July, 2025 to submit your complete application.

What if the dates don't work for me?

TCP is a cohort-based leadership program. As such, participant learning is strongly impacted by the contributions of other TCP participants. Therefore, it is expected that TCP participants will engage in all eight virtual sessions.

If you are unable to participate in the upcoming session dates, you can wait to apply for a future session of The Clara Project or you can explore other opportunities offered by the  Leadership Development Committee (LDC) throughout the year.