Call for District Leaders

leadership

Do you want to be part of an amazing team of District 56 leaders? Serving as a District leader is a great responsibility and an exciting opportunity. The success of our District, our clubs, and our members depends on how well our District leaders execute their roles and responsibilities. We need YOU! Challenge yourself by stepping up and discovering the leader in you.

Each year, usually from November through January, District 56 accepts nominations for elected and appointed District Officer positions. These positions provide opportunities to enhance your leadership skills and expand your Toastmasters expertise.

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District Leader Roles, Competencies, Qualifications, and Responsibilities

In order to lead effectively, you must first know your role as a District leader. Having a clear understanding of your role, competencies, qualification, and responsibilities are essential to your success and the success of the District.

The terms of all District leaders shall commence at midnight on July 1 and end on the following June 30, at 11:59 pm. A complete term is defined as having served at least from September 1 through June 30. Those assuming office after September 1 do not qualify as having served a full term.

UPDATE November 14, 2024

As the District Leadership Committee prepares to evaluate candidates who will serve for the 2025 – 2026 program year, the qualifications for these positions have been updated in the District Administrative Bylaws, Article VII (d). For the roles of District Director, Program Quality Director, and Club Growth Director, the candidates must meet the qualifications in the District in which they shall serve. Below are the updated qualifications from the District Administrative Bylaws:

The District Director shall have served

1. at least six (6) consecutive months as a Club President and
2. at least 12 consecutive months as a Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director, Division Director, or a combination of the preceding in the District in which they shall serve.
The Program Quality Director and Club Growth Director shall have served
1. at least six (6) consecutive months as Club President and
2. at least 12 consecutive months as a Program Quality Director, a Club Growth Director, a Division Director, an Area Director, or a combination of the preceding in the District in which they shall serve.

At the time of taking office, candidates for District Director, Program Quality Director, and Club Growth Director must have meet the qualifications of serving as a club president and in the respective roles as listed for 12 consecutive months in the District in which they are seeking to serve.

The qualification requirements are effective July 1, 2025. This means that the current District Leadership Committee evaluating candidates for the 2025 – 2026 program year will need to adhere to these updated qualification requirements and make sure the candidates meet these qualifications. Updates to the Nomination Form and Candidate Application will be published in the coming weeks.

For candidates who belong to a club that was newly assigned to a District, the individual’s membership eligibility to serve as a District officer is valid in the new District.

The following resources will help you learn more about District leader roles, competencies, qualification, responsibilities, and more:

District Elected Positions

District Director
Program Quality Director
Club Growth Director
Division Directors

Candidate Process to File Intent to Run for District Office

Candidates for elected positions must declare an intention to run by January 15, email the forms listed below to [email protected], and participate in District Leadership Committee (DLC) nominating interviews. Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged.

Login to Toastmasters.org
Scroll to the “My Education and Achievement” section and click on the “Achievement Board” tile
Click on the “Offices Held” tile
Click the “Print” button
Verify the print destination indicates “Adobe PDF” (if not, click the down arrow and click “Save as PDF”
Click the “Print” button to save it to your device

Elections take place at our annual Spring Conference in April or May.

NOTE: The District Leadership Chair has the authority to change deadlines.

Candidate Tool Kit

District Appointed Positions

Administration Manager
Area Directors
Finance Manager
Public Relations Manager
*Various Committee Chairs and Committees

Candidates for appointed positions must submit the form listed below to the newly-elected District Director by May 31. Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged. All appointments will be made by the newly-elected District Director in June.

*Committee chairs and committees do not qualify for one year of District service; however these appointments can be used for Pathways projects if approved by your Club Vice President Education.

Members Matter Most

The most important person in District 56 is the member, with Club Officers and District Officers providing support.

District Officer Roles

District leaders, include the Senior 7, Division Directors, Area Directors, and committee chairs, all work together to build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.

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The District Executive Committee and District Council work together to build effective teams that support the District and enhance the quality of the member experience.

leadership