Why do we align?

Very simply, it is because it is a requirement of Toastmasters International

Districts must:

  • Review and amend its alignment of Clubs, Areas and Divisions once each year.
  • Form an Alignment Committee to consider a plan that services the Clubs in the most effective way possible in accordance with District Administrative Bylaws: Article X1 (d).
  • Meet the requirements outlined in Policy and Protocol 7.0 District Structure, 1. Club Assignments, in the Governing Documents.
  • The Committee must consider club growth as well as club loss when contemplating an alignment
  •  • Alignment proposals are presented to the District Executive Committee in April and are subject to the approval of the District Council at its annual business meeting in May and must be reported to Toastmasters International by July 15th
  •  Any adjustments needed after the Council meeting must be approved by 2/3rds of the District Executive Council.

The Protocol clearly states that:

  • Areas must consist of four (4) to six (6) clubs
  • An Area must have a minimum of 4 clubs in Good Standing
  • No Area to have more than six (6) clubs on July 1st
  • A Division must have a minimum of Four (4) Areas
  • A District can have a maximum of 9 Divisions

To comply with these requirements the District Alignment Committee (DAC) is formed each year to ensure that D91 complies with these instructions from Toastmasters International.

The District Alignment Committee for the 2024-25 Toastmasters year  will be comprised of:

  • Barbara Saph (Chair)
  • All D91 Division Directors or their designated representatives as approved or nominated by the District Director
  • Special Consultant: Seema Menon (Club Growth Director)

The DAC gathers information on new clubs, Pre-Charter clubs and suspended clubs from Toastmasters International plus local information gathered within Areas and Divisions then in consultation the DAC determines the best solution for the movement of clubs between areas to comply with the Protocol.

*It is vital that clubs inform both their Area/Division Director and Toastmasters International of any changes to their meeting venue.

In the 2023-24 Toastmasters year D91 experienced some notable club growth with less club loss, therefore D91 now has 8 Divisions, 37 Areas (with the addition of A19) and 175 clubs, there is a good distribution of community, corporate, online only and hybrid clubs within the Areas.

This year it is likely the DAC will have to look at the possibility of adding 1 or 2 new Areas to accommodate growth in Division D, B and C

District 91 Alignment Committee reports are available: