District Training

Division and Area Directors


Table of Contents

The following programs must be used as the core curriculum for training Division and Area Directors in every District. Visit the Training Activities page to find additional modules which can be combined with the core curriculum to support your training.

Resources

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Division and Area Director Training

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Before Area and Division Directors join you for training, give them the tools to begin the year with confidence and competence! The following items should be reviewed before attending the first training of the program year:

Area Director resources

Division Director resources

Area Director Expectations

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In this session, Area Directors outline their role and their relationships to the other positions in the District. They identify the unique opportunity they have to deliver a positive impact on the organization.

Club Visits

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Area Directors are responsible for motivating, guiding, and strengthening clubs. This session will examine the different means by which Area Directors may facilitate the positive member experience, support member retention, and encourage membership through club visits.

Effective Area Meetings

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In this session, Area Directors will look critically at meetings and learn how they can contribute, facilitate, and lead more effective meetings.

Effective Division Meetings

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In this session, Division Directors will look critically at meetings and learn how they can contribute, facilitate, and lead more effective meetings.

Prepare for Training

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As a training facilitator, you are responsible for conveying the information that Area and Division Directors need to fulfill their roles. Well-trained Area and Division Directors are equipped to develop successful teams, enhance club quality, establish and support new clubs, conduct quality speech contests, and thrive in the District Recognition Program. All of these abilities contribute to fulfill the District mission. This session assists you in preparing for your role.

Develop Successful Teams

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Area and Division Directors serve as liaisons between Districts and clubs; to accomplish all the responsibilities of these important roles, they depend on the teams they build. The effectiveness of these teams is a reflection of the Area and Division Directors’ ability to lead and motivate. Area and Division Directors lay the groundwork for effective teamwork by creating and maintaining a team agreement at the beginning of their terms. In this session, Area and Division Directors examine a team agreement and discuss motivation and conflict-resolution techniques to keep their teams strong and productive.

Enhance Club Quality

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Part of the District mission is to enhance the quality and performance of clubs. As District leaders, Area and Division Directors perpetuate this mission. Members are drawn to and stay in clubs that foster an environment of mutual support and enrichment. Area and Division Directors support clubs in creating this environment by soliciting club needs and offering perspective and knowledge. In this session, Area and Division Directors consider how to gather information about clubs and identify ways to enhance their quality and performance.

Establish and Support New Clubs

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As District leaders, part of Area and Division Directors’ mission is to extend the network of clubs. New clubs allow more people access to the benefits of Toastmasters. An important responsibility of Area and Division Directors is to establish and support new clubs. In this session, Area and Division Directors identify the requirements for establishing clubs so that they will be able to take advantage of club-building opportunities.

Conduct Quality Speech Contests

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Area Directors oversee area speech contests, and Division Directors oversee Division speech contests. When Area and Division Directors have a good understanding of the contest process, rules, and resources, the contests’ quality is enhanced. The roles that Area and Division Directors play in speech contests vary by District. In this session, Area and Division Directors learn how to find answers about contests using the Speech Contest Rulebook (Item 1171) and discover other resources so that they are equipped to oversee speech contests in their Areas and Divisions.

Thrive in the District Recognition Program

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The focus of the District Recognition Program is on club quality and the member experience. Area and Division Directors play an essential role in earning Distinguished recognition for the District, Division, and Area, beginning with the club. In this session, Area and Division Directors examine how Moments of Truth and the Distinguished Club Program serve as the foundation for the District Recognition Program. They learn how to create success plans based on their Area and Division Distinguished goals and how to track progress toward those goals.