District Governor
District Governor
As the district governor, you have the responsibility of directly overseeing and managing the district’s day to day operations, finances, and human resources. Luckily, you have a team of district leaders to help you fulfill these responsibilities. As the district governor, you must empower your district leadership teams to work together to fulfill the district mission, while simultaneously supporting each officer in his or her development as a leader. At the time of taking office, the district governor must have served at least six consecutive months as a club president and at least 12 consecutive months as a lieutenant governor, division governor, or a combination of the two.
The District Leadership Handbook describes the following standards more fully and explains how to carry them out.
Responsibilities:
- Supervise and guide all elected and appointed district leaders and be responsible for their success.
- Motivate team members to achieve district goals.
- Delegate tasks and authority as appropriate.
- Assist in resolving conflicts as they arise
- Administer and oversee the district’s financial resources.
- Prepare the budget with the District Executive Committee for approval by the District Council.
- Authorize all purchases on behalf of the district.
- Work with World Headquarters and region advisors on matters
related to district operations.
- Prepare and submit all plans and reports to World Headquarters.
- Serve as presiding officer at the District Executive Committee and District Council meetings.
- Appoint district leaders and committees as provided for in the District Administrative Bylaws, subject to approval of the District Council.
- Achieve Distinguished District status by accomplishing training, club and membership goals. Together with your district leadership team, participate in district leader training sessions at the International Convention, midyear training and online via the Toastmasters Learning Connection.
Leading the District Team
When you are the district governor, you serve as the team leader for all other elected and appointed district leaders. In this position, your leadership skills provide more than just a means of directing and facilitating the work of the district; your personal leadership style will set the tone and direction for the entire district. Your abilities to share a vision, set realistic and attainable goals, communicate a plan of action, motivate team members, delegate effectively, and manage conflict will be key factors in your district’s success.
Finance and Budgeting
As the district governor, you have fiduciary responsibility and are directly responsible for ensuring that the district is appropriately managing the funds that support the achievement of its mission. The district treasurer supports you in this endeavor by providing monthly treasurer’s reports and a variety of other resources to help you understand and control how the district funds are being used. It is important that the district governor, lt. governors, and district treasurer work together on finance and budgeting within the district.
Serving as Presiding Officer
As presiding officer at the District Executive Committee and District Council meetings, you are expected to take charge of the proceedings and keep the agenda moving forward. You will also be expected to manage procedural matters in the conduct of the meeting, and to apply Robert’s Rules of Order as necessary.
Role of Past Leaders within Districts
Toastmasters International districts have benefited greatly from the dedication and support of past international presidents, past international directors, past district governors and other past leaders. Although current district leaders are responsible for district operations and achieving district goals, past district and international leaders can provide invaluable support while working under the direction of the district governor.
Examples of supporting the district include:
- Acting as an advisor or mentor
- Providing encouragement to district leaders
- Offering support during district meetings
- Encouraging strong members to take leadership positions
- Chairing district committees Committees of past district governors can be a valuable resource.
If formed, a Past District Governors Committee must meet and work in support of the district and its officers, and may not engage in district political activity. The Past District Governors Committee must meet and work under the direction of the district governor and may only work on tasks assigned by the district governor.
Additional Resources
District Leader Toolkit
www.toastmasters.org/districtleadertoolkit
District Success Plan (PDF)
www.toastmasters.org/dsp
Distinguished District Program (PDF)
www.toastmasters.org/distinguisheddistrict
District Finance Corner
www.toastmasters.org/districtfinance
Financial Templates
www.toastmasters.org/templates
Toastmasters Policies
www.toastmasters.org/policies
The Toastmasters Learning Connection
www.toastmasters.org/elearning