DISTRICT 79 OFFICER POSITIONS AND JOB DESCRIPTIONS
District Officers form the leadership team dedicated to the mission of Toastmasters International. A leadership role requires to motivate others to achieve goals and is both challenging and rewarding. The experience will enrich & enhance one's own skills, and the satisfaction of knowing one has helped others to grow.
It is important to note that the District Officer positions are honorary and require travel to attend the District Council and District Executive Committee Meetings. Officer’s need to be committed and willing to give sufficient time to carry out their responsibilities.
District Officer Mission, Purpose and Qualifications
District Leadership positions are for one full term - July to June of that year. Our District elections are held annually and are held at the District Toastmasters Annual Conference in May. Leadership opportunities are available for the following positions:
- District Governor (1 Position) Elected
- Lt Governor Education and Training (1 Position) Elected
- Lt Governor Marketing (1 Position) Elected
- Public Relations Officer (1 Position) Appointed
- Secretary (1 Position) Appointed
- Treasurer (1 Position) Appointed
- Division Governor (14 Positions) Elected
- Area Governor (62 Positions) Elected or Appointed
Details of the different officer responsibilities and qualifications are listed below for ease of reference.
ELECTED POSTIONS
District Governor (DG)
Mission/Purpose
As the District's chief executive officer, directs the District in a way which fosters strong clubs; produces maximum growth in education completions, club and membership, and is consistent with the interests of members of Toastmasters International. Responsible for motivating the District to achieve Distinguished District. Achieves the mission of the District in a manner which motivates volunteer leaders and promotes a standard of excellence in all district activities.
Qualification
At the time of taking office, the District Governor shall have served at least six consecutive months as a Club President and at least twelve consecutive months as a Lieutenant Governor or Division Governor or a combination thereof and must be a member in good standing of a club in good standing.
Lieutenant Governor Education and Training (LGET)
Mission / Purpose
Under the guidance of the DG, strives to have every club and each member reap the benefits of the Toastmasters educational program and to have every club become a Distinguished Club. Responsible for achieving Distinguished District goals for CCs, ACs and Distinguished clubs. Provides direction and counsel to Division Governors, Area Governors and club officers on the educational opportunities in Toastmasters. Responsible for the design and conduct of successful District training programs, conferences and other District educational events.
Qualification
At the time of taking office the LGET shall have served at least six consecutive months as a Club President and at least twelve consecutive months as a Lieutenant Governor, Division Governor or an Area Governor, or a combination thereof and must be a member in good standing of a club in good standing.
Lieutenant Governor Marketing (LGM)
Mission / Purpose
Under guidance of the DG, makes the benefits of Toastmasters membership available to greater numbers of people. Plans, develops, implements and directs short-term and long-term district marketing objects. Develops and directs programs for new club development, club rescue efforts, club membership promotion and membership retention. Responsible for achieving Distinguished District goals for membership and club growth. Promotes standards of service to the members and to the club.
Qualification
At the time of taking office the LGM shall have served for at least six consecutive months as a Club President and at least twelve consecutive months as a Lieutenant Governor, Division Governor or an Area Governor, or a combination thereof and must be a member in good standing of a Toastmasters club in good standing.
Division Governor
Mission / Purpose
Achieves the mission of the district within the division, accomplishing District goals in membership building and retention, club extension and educational accomplishments. Ensures that each club realises its mission and fulfills its responsibilities to its members. Responsible for achieving Distinguished Division Program goals and for ensuring that areas and clubs within the division achieve Distinguished status. Serves the division clubs by providing district support and resources through the area governors.
Qualification
At the time of taking office a Division Governor shall have served at least six consecutive months as a member of a District Council (e.g. Club President, Vice President Education, or District Officer) and must be a member in good standing of a Toastmasters club in good standing.
NOMINATED POSTIONS
District PRO
Mission / Purpose
Works under the direction of the DG. Helps maintain communication between the District and its members and works to increase public awareness of Toastmasters International through the media. The Public Relations Officer prepares a public relations program designed to achieve goals for membership growth, club growth and educational achievements in clubs and achievement in the Distinguished Club Program. Promotes district conferences and leadership training opportunities within the District.
Qualification
At the time of taking office this officer serves as a staff position under the direction of the District Governor and must be a member in good standing of a club in good standing.
District Treasurer
Mission / Purpose
Establishes and maintains effective fiscal management of the district. Promotes the growth of Toastmasters by providing sound fiscal guidance to the district. Produces monthly reports reflecting the District's financial status and ensures that expenditures remain within the budget approved by the district council. Ensures that the District maintains the financial controls established by Toastmasters International.
Qualification
At the time of taking office should have accounting experience, understand basic bookkeeping practices and must be a member in good standing of a club in good standing.
District Secretary
Mission / Purpose
Helps district function effectively and achieve its mission by recording and maintaining accurate minutes of district council, executive committee and other meetings. Serves as custodian of District Administrative Bylaws and Policies.
Qualification
At the time of taking officer should be a reliable, prompt, well-organised Toastmaster who can accurately record meeting actions. Should have access to facilities for word processing and reproduction of material. Should be a member in good standing of a club in good standing.
Area Governor
NB: The Area Governors are NOT voted on at the District Council Meeting but locally at Area Council level. This must happen before the 30 April as the old and new Area Governors are both obliged to attend the Conference and District Officer Training in May.
Mission/Purpose
Provides District contact, support, and assistance to the club so that it may achieve the club mission and fulfill its responsibilities to its members. Helps clubs by keeping in regular contact with club presidents in the area and by visiting each club at least twice during the year. Is responsible for achieving Distinguished Area Program goals and for ensuring that each area club is a Distinguished Club.
Qualifications (at the time of taking office)
Insofar as practicable, an area governor should have served as a member of a District Council (e.g. Club President, Vice President Education, or District Officer) and must be a member in good standing of a Toastmasters club in good standing.
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS
All candidates may distribute campaign materials at area and division speech contests. All candidates are allowed to display campaign materials in a candidates’ corner at these events, if space is available for the candidates’ corner and if all candidates have equal access to it. Campaign materials may not be placed on walls, chairs or tables outside of the candidates’ corner.
All candidates may distribute campaign materials at the district conference, and all candidates are allowed to display campaign materials in the candidates’ corner at a district conference. Campaign materials may not be placed on walls, chairs or tables, or handed out at educational sessions, meal functions or the district hospitality suite.
SPEECHES & SPEAKING GUIDELINES
Campaign speeches are not permitted at any area speech contest, division speech contest or other district non-election meeting except the district conference. At the discretion of the area or division governor responsible for the speech contest, candidates present at the contest may be introduced to the audience if all candidates present are introduced.
All candidates, including floor candidates, for district office in contested races may be allowed to speak at the district conference at a time other than during the annual district meeting. These campaign speeches must be given at an appropriate time, place and length, as identified by the district governor, provided that all candidates are given an equal opportunity and are properly notified.
All candidates are allowed to give educational presentations at district conferences, provided the presentations conform to the needs of the district, and provided that all candidates for the same office are given an equal opportunity.
HOSPITALITY SUITES
The only hospitality suite permitted at a district conference is the one provided and operated by the district, with no contribution from any candidate. The provision of a hospitality suite is, however, at the discretion of the district governor.
ADVERTISING
Advertisements by or on behalf of candidates for district office are not permitted in district publications.
Candidate Speeches
THE CANDIDATE SPEECH
Each district officer candidate, including floor candidates, is entitled to a two-minute speech. The speeches by the candidates are delivered in alphabetical order of the candidate’s last name, by office, beginning with the highest contested office. Each such speech is delivered from the platform and given by the candidate, if present. If the candidate is absent, the candidate’s representative may give the speech. No other speeches, demonstrations or other activities are allowed.
VOTING LOGISTICS
The balloting for each office takes place immediately following the close of nominations for the office. The district governor informs candidates that they are expected to provide one Toastmaster to assist or observe the counting of the ballots. The election is completed and the winner announced before moving to the next office to complete nominations for that office.
Candidates nominated for one office and not elected to the office may be nominated from the floor for a lower office, in the order stated above.
After nominations for an office are closed, if only one candidate is running for the office, the district governor may entertain a motion to dispense with the secret ballot for the uncontested office and to instruct the secretary to cast a single ballot for the candidate. If there are multiple offices of division governor each with only a single nominee, the district governor may entertain a motion to dispense with the secret ballot for all the uncontested offices and to instruct the secretary to cast a single ballot for each candidate.
Any candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast is declared elected. In the event no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast for a contested office, voting continues with the use of special ballots and without the name of the candidate receiving the fewest votes. This procedure continues until one of the candidates receives a majority of the votes.
ELECTION RESULTS
All election results are final upon adjournment of the district’s annual meeting. Results of the election must be displayed in the registration area as soon as possible following adjournment. All proxies and ballots are to be retained for 24 hours following the close of the meeting for review only by the district governor or district credentials chairman, as necessary. Immediately afterward they must be destroyed by the district governor or his or her designee.
District 79 
