Every year a variety of Toastmaster leadership roles change hands. Through participation in these roles Toastmaster members develop leadership, organization and management skills. While many of the roles are appointed several of the key District roles are decided by the membership through an election process. What follows here is such a “call for candidates” to participate in the election later this year (May 2020).

District Leadership 101

Are you a leader? Would you like to be a better one? What do you want to get out of Toastmasters? How can you give back to this organization which has provided personal and professional benefits?

Like fresh air and fresh water, fresh leaders are always needed. District 64 needs you. Elections for 6 Division Directors, Club Growth Director, Program Quality Director and District Director will take place the first weekend in May.

“An important part of Toastmasters training is learning about leadership, and the best way to become skilled at leadership is to experience it. Choosing leaders or choosing to be a leader begins at nomination and at the ballot.”

Download: Elections Toolkit

Like everything else in Toastmasters, learning to lead is not only through lectures and listening, reading and thinking; it’s by doing the job to the best of your ability, with your mind and heart invested as strongly as your time.

What Will You Gain?

What can you get from actively participating in District leadership? The experience and training will advance your skills. Even the election process will strengthen you. In any of these positions, you will be an integral member of a dynamic leadership team. You will participate in major decisions affecting District 64.

As Division Director, you will learn about and get practical experience with leading a team of Area Directors, providing motivation, guidance and supervision of their leadership to clubs. You will report to the District Council, gaining experience in summarizing notable events and delivering speeches in front of the District members.

As Club Growth Director, you will work with a team to develop a marketing strategy. You will learn to assess team member qualities. With the approval of the District Director, you will appoint team leaders and oversee tasks such as club building and coaching, starting new clubs and mentoring new clubs.

As Program Quality Director, you will work with a team to enhance member education and training. With the approval of the District Director, you will lead a team providing leader training for District and Club officers. Under your guidance, members will be encouraged to advance and be recognized in the education program.

The District Director is the CEO for the District. You will supervise and guide all elected and appointed district leaders. You will plan, appointment, supervise, and motivate others, delegating tasks and authority as needed and recommended by Toastmasters International. More than other district leaders, you will learn about and practice fiduciary responsibility, recognizing that all funds in clubs, Areas, Divisions, including all events from club officer training, speech contests, the Fall Rally, TLI to the annual Convention are Toastmaster funds, supported (loss or gain) ultimately by the members’ money. A District Director, like a club president, is responsible for everything.

Ready?

You are grateful to Toastmasters for all it’s benefits. You want to learn more. You want to give back in a big way. You don’t just volunteer. There is a process!

1. There are prerequisites for each position. Do you qualify?
   At the time of taking office, the District Director must have served at least six consecutive months as Club President and at least 12 consecutive months as a Program Quality Director, Division Director, or a combination of these.
   At the time of taking office, the Program Quality Director must have served at least six consecutive months as Club President and at least 12 consecutive months as a Club Growth Director, a Division Director, an Area Director, or a combination of these.
   At the time of taking office, the Club Growth Director must have served at least six consecutive months as Club President and at least 12 consecutive months as a Division Director, an Area Director, or a combination of these.
   At the time of taking office, the Division Director must have served at least six consecutive months as a member of a District Council (composed of district leaders, club presidents, and club Vice Presidents of education.
2. Complete the paperwork
   To be nominated, all candidates for District Director, Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director, and Division Director must submit completed Toastmasters International District Leader Agreement and Release Statement, the Candidate Biography Form plus your photo to the District Leadership Committee by February 15. Email completed forms to LeadershipCommittee@District64.ca.
3. Be evaluated by the District Leadership Committee
   The names of candidates that meet the standards will be presented to the District Director for inclusion on the ballot. If not selected by this committee, members may still declare an intent to “run from the floor”, provided they have previously been evaluated by the District Leadership Committee.

Please do consider giving back by serving as a District leader.

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S. Poirier, DTM, PDD (Distinguished Toastmaster & Past District Director)