THE AREA DIRECTOR ROLE As an area director, you serve a vital role in Toastmasters. Of all district leaders, you are the closest to clubs and members and are a direct link between them and the division and district. It’s a rewarding role with many responsibilities and fantastic growth potential. During your term you will do the following:  Visit every club in your area at least twice a year and more frequently if possible o District 33 recommends a minimum of 4 visits a year. Visit before your “official” visit in the fall and spring to bond better with your clubs. After your “official” visit in the fall and spring you fill out and submit your Area Director’s Club Visit Report online. NOTE: A minimum of 75% of your club visit reports must be submitted (on time both times) for your area to qualify for Distinguished Area Status  Maintain regular contact with club presidents  Encourage ideas and cooperation from clubs and members  Ensure that every club in your area is of the highest quality so that members benefit from the Toastmasters education program  Identify opportunities for club enhancement that help bring about positive change  Support and motivate clubs to provide the best possible member experience, enhancing member retention and building membership  Assist your area and the clubs in it to earn Distinguished recognition, which fosters a better member experience, and contributes to division and district recognition In your role as area director, you enhance your own communication and leadership skills while giving back to your community of Toastmasters. The invaluable experience you gain during your time as area director can prepare you for additional responsibility in Toastmasters leadership.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND COMMITMENTS In addition to the duties listed above, as an area director you are responsible to:  Attend District Officers Training (a minimum of once) between July 1st and September 30th o District 33 will hold training early in the Toastmaster year. As part of the Distinguished District Program, at least 85 percent of our district's area and division directors must attend training and a Division/Area Director Training Report submitted to World Headquarters by September 30. o At our first area and division director training session, generally in mid-July, District 33 has an all-day training session and we train our officers together in a central location where we learn, network and have a lot of fun. (This is also a District Executive Committee (DEC) Meeting) o Our district is geographically large so we are allowed to train our division and area directors by webinar for “make up” training after the initial training. (This is a 4 hour training session generally held on a Saturday in late July) o At a third area and division director training session, generally in mid-September, District 33 has an all-day training session where we train our officers together in a central location where we learn, network and have a lot of fun. (This is also a District Executive Committee (DEC) Meeting)  Attend the District 33 Executive Committee/Council (DEC) meetings during the year (there are a minimum of five DEC’s) of which one is a webinar o First DEC is held at the initial District Officers Training session o Second DEC is held at the second District Officers Training session o Third DEC is held at the Fall Conference (this will change because the Fall conference is eliminated) o Fourth DEC is held, as a webinar, in January or early February o Fifth DEC is held at the Spring Conference  Form an Area Council o The area director is the area council chair and holds at least two area council meetings each year. (Once every two months is better and once a month is best) o Area council members include the area director, (assistant area director program quality* - assistant area director club growth*) area secretary, club presidents, club vice presidents education and club vice presidents membership. * These positions are optional but produce a stronger team o At area council meetings, the area director discusses each club’s plans and goals in the Distinguished Club Program and reviews attendance at club leader training.  Conduct an Area Speech Contest o As area director, you are responsible for coordinating a spring area speech contest. (District 33 highly recommends that you appoint a Contest Chair who then leads a contest committee to plan and implement the contest) While this list is not exhaustive and other tasks may be expected by Toastmasters in your locale, it is our desire to share a realistic job preview.