CALL FOR DISTRICT LEADERS!

by Lisa Waalkes, 3-time Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), Past District Governor, 2022 Toastmasters International Presidential Citation Recipient

7 Positions Open: Extended Deadline for Nominations is March 14, 2023!

The time has come for us to nominate District Leaders for the 2023-2024 year. The elected positions are the District Director, Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director, and 4 Division Directors. In order to be nominated you must meet the following qualifications at the time of taking office:

• The District Director must have served at least six consecutive months as Club President and at least 12 consecutive months as a Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director, Division Director, or a combination of these.
• The Program Quality Director must have served at least six consecutive months as Club President and at least 12 consecutive months as a Program Quality Director, a Club Growth Director, a Division Director, an Area Director, or a combination of these.
• The Club Growth Director must have served at least six consecutive months as Club President and at least 12 consecutive months as a Program Quality Director, a Club Growth Director, a Division Director, an Area Director, or a combination of these.
• All four Division Directors must have served at least six consecutive months as a member of a District Council.  The District Council is made up of club Presidents and Vice Presidents of Education and District Executive Committee members.  

A District Leader Nominating Form must be filled out and sent on to the District Leadership Committee (DLC).  This can be filled out by you (self-nominate) or have someone else nominate you for the leadership role.  The form can be found at this link: 450C District Leader Nominating Form (azureedge.net)

No Regrets

Helen Blanchard was the first female International President of Toastmasters. She said, “If you get out of Toastmasters all there is to get out of Toastmasters, you will never get out of Toastmasters.” Whether or not you have thought about District Leadership, I strongly recommend you consider it. I guarantee you will not regret what you learn during the process.

How and What I Got Out of Toastmasters

I first joined Toastmasters in 1990, as a new manager for my company, BDO USA, LLP.  Our club was a new corporate club and it survived for 2 years.  Move ahead to 2002, BDO saw the vision that Toastmasters was a great communication and leadership training ground, but this time we decided to open the club up to the community and truly embrace the leadership training that Toastmasters offers.  Our BDO Club has been going strong since then and has given the gift of communication and leadership to hundreds of people in all walks of life.  

Over the years I have held all club officer roles, many District leadership roles, planned speech contests & club open houses, Club Leadership Trainings, District conferences, Region Fun Night (back in the day) and served on an International Director’s campaign team.  As a leader, I found out how to organize, problem solve, provide constructive feedback, and lead various teams and meetings. Many skills were gained in critical thinking, networking, relationship building, succession planning, mentoring and strategic planning. As a district leader, I learned to budget on a larger scale, plan events, motivate, and inspire those around me. These are life skills that I apply to my career, my Life Platform/Starfish business, and personal relationships every day. These are universal skills that will also benefit you.

If you are interested in becoming an elected District Leader, contact Lisa Waalkes at lisawaalkes@gmail.com.