Page 36 - Voices-2022-02
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FIELD NOTES
Toastmasters Leadership Institute
Why Be An June 3 & 4, 2022
Area Director?
Crystal Clark, DTM - Division B Director
Club growth, retention, and improved member
experiences.
Why is it also important to step up to be
There is always a call and time to serve. This is an Area Director? Leadership development
your call, and this is your time to serve. As a Club is a crucial aspect of being a Toastmaster. If
officer you help your members achieve their leadership is outside of your comfort zone,
objectives and Club goals. If you were elected then this is the perfect role for you! As an Area
to a Club officer position, congratulations. If Director, you receive support and training from
you have served as a Club officer, your District your Division and District Directors.
Leaders encourage you to consider stepping up What is stopping you from volunteering as an
to the next leadership level. Area Director? Time? The time you put into the
Area Directors are the first line of role will determine how successful you and your
communication between Club and District Clubs are at the end of your assignment. With
leaders. They take what they’ve learned as Club the adoption of online meetings, Club visits are
officers and apply it in a larger arena. They now easier to attend and do not require travel
help their assigned clubs meet goals, answer time! Executive meetings with other District
questions, and solve issues when needed. leaders give you opportunities to gain additional
They are available to assist clubs to hold perspectives and ideas to become a better leader,
speech contests, install club officers, plan open speaker, and Toastmaster.
houses, and keep clubs informed about District Serving as an Area Director is the next logical
incentives and upcoming events. step in your growth beyond your Club Officer
Each Area is made up of four to six Clubs role. Not only will you gain valuable skills and
within a confined geographic location. Twice a experiences in team building, solving issues,
year Area Directors conduct official club visits and serving others, you will also gain credit
and report their findings back to Toastmasters towards earning your Distinguished Toastmaster
International and District leaders. They also designation.
participate in District Executive Committee To learn more about serving as an Area
meetings, usually held monthly, where Club Director, feel free to contact me at divb@
successes and challenges are shared. Area d7toastmasters.org or District Director Eldred
Directors assist and encourage Clubs by providing Brown, dd@d7toastmasters.org. Take the leap
feedback and identifying opportunities for and volunteer to become an Area Director.
36 ONE COMMUNITY
