Would you like to ease into district leadership?

It is recommended that after you have served a six-month term as either a club President or Vice President Education, that you consider becoming an Assistant Area Governor (AAG) to further develop your leadership skills.

A Toastmasters district divides itself into divisions. For instance, district 22 has the following five divisions: T.A.L.K.S. The District Executive Committee divides each division into areas. Each area has several Toastmasters clubs (usually 4 - 7).

The Area's mission is to provide District contact, support, and service to its clubs so that the clubs may in turn fulfill their responsibilities to the club members.

An AAG serves for a full Toastmasters year (July 1 through June 30) partnering with an Area Governor (AG) to guide and assist the clubs within his/her Area. This guidance and assistance may include:

• Visiting clubs in the Area. Possibly making some formal Area Club Visits (including completing and submitting "An Area Report of Club Visit Form" to the District Governor).
• Assisting the AG to serve as an information conduit between the District and the clubs (through the club Presidents).
• Helping AG ensure that each club understands the Distinguished Club Program and how it serves the needs of the club members.
• Working with AG the clubs to hold area speech contests. (Twice yearly prior to division and district contests.)
• Encouraging club officers to participate in district-provided club officer training.
• Assisting AG in holding regular Area Council meetings for Club Presidents and Vice Presidents of Education and Membership.
• Assisting district officers in helping to build new clubs within the area or division.
• Attending quarterly District Executive Council meeting.

Note: The district offers a training session for AAGs and AGs at the beginning of their term. Training also includes a comprehensive manual.

You may be asking yourself, "What's in it for me?" While no two of us are exactly alike, here are some ways that being an Area Governor may benefit you.

• Practice leadership skills with a group of people over whom you have no authority. This is a truer indicator of your leadership than in situations where you have a position of power.
• Gain satisfaction from helping others meet their personal goals.
• Get recognition from district officers as they show appreciation for your efforts.
• Learn what it takes to be an AG by closely working with an AG.
• Become a better communicator as you interact with Toastmasters serving in a variety of positions and having a diversity of skills.

To place your name on the list of candidates for Area Governor, contact a current district officer:

• Area Governor
• Division Governor
• Lieutenant Governor Marketing
• Lieutenant Governor Education and Training
• District Governor