Memorandum

To:                             Area Governor Applicants
From:                         District 31 Governor
Subject:                     AREA GOVERNOR STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS

I greatly appreciate the interest you have shown in holding the office of Area Governor for the 2008-2009 District year.

As Area Governor, you have one of the most important jobs within the District.  The success of your Clubs, and the entire District, depends upon how well you execute your duties and responsibilities. To help you with this, and to see that your Clubs receive the service they need, Toastmasters International recently established Area Governor standards. These are the minimum requirements you must meet during your term.

• Focus on membership growth and educational achievements in Clubs so the Area can achieve a minimum recognition of Distinguished Area.  Your top priority as an Area Governor is to ensure the success of every Club in your Area, which will ensure the success of your Area.

• Motivate and assist each Club in the Area to become a Distinguished Club.  This means every Club in your Area is working the Distinguished Club Program.

Area Governor Applicants

Make at least two Club visits.

• You must make a minimum of one visit in the Fall and one visit in the Spring to each of your Clubs.

• We will be covering everything that needs to happen at these visits at the District Executive Meetings, and providing you role-play scenarios that will help you have successful visits.

Make a presentation during the Club visit on one or more of the following topics:

• Distinguished Club Program

• Communication and Leadership Tracks

• Membership growth and development

In addition to the above requirements, you must also understand that as a District Officer, you now speak for the organization, not yourself.  Everything we do must promote and reflect Toastmasters in a positive way.

Ensure that each Club understands the service roles of an Area Governor and the District.

• Your Clubs are your “customers” and you are there to provide service that will help them achieve their goals.

Contact Club Presidents monthly about:       

• Distinguished Club Program performance

• Follow up on items identified during previous visit or contact

• District training or other District events

Growth

• Ensure no net Club loss in the Area.

• Assist Division Governor in building at least one new Club within the Area or Division

Hold at least two Area Council Meetings each year.

The following topics should be addressed:

• Distinguished Club Program

• Attendance at Club Officer Training

• Planning for inter-Club events (training, contests, etc.)

Participate in District Training for Area Governors, Executive Committee Meetings, District Conferences, and District Council Meetings. 

All of the above standards were taken from the Area Leadership Handbook.  If appointed as Area Governor, you will be given a copy of this, along with other materials that will assist you in performing your duties.

In addition to the above mentioned standards, there are certain expectations that I have of all District Officers who will serve on next year’s team, beginning with me.  Every District Officer will be asked to agree to these expectations:

I have read the above standards and expectations to be met by me if I accept the role of Area Governor, and agree to fulfill them to the best of my ability.  I understand that if I fail to follow them, it may result in my replacement.

Please return a signed copy of this memorandum to me no later than May 19.  Keep a copy for your files.  I will notify you as soon as I make my final appointments.