I absolutely loved visiting my Area Clubs. Each time I visited I learned something new about Toastmasters. I was able to gather tips and tools from each of the clubs and share them with my home club and others who needed assistance. I personally benefited greatly from being able to hear such a wide variety of speakers — and I made so many new Toastmaster friends!

9. Getting Closer to your DTM

Being an Area Governor is one of the highlights on my road to DTM. When I look back on what I have accomplished I’m not sure I’ll remember what I spoke about for CC#6 – but I will remember a year of amazing leadership growth!

8. Area Contests

I joined Toastmasters to become a better leader. Putting on an Area Contest greatly stretched my leadership skills. I developed delegation and motivational skills, learned more about my community and helped create an atmosphere of fun and celebration for my fellow Toastmasters. I sympathized with judges when it was a tough decision, and congratulated all of the speakers for participating. Working backstage on an area contest was a challenge and a joy!

7. Badges

Materialistic I know – but my Area Governor badge will be retired to my box of Toastmaster Memories as a symbol of this amazing year!

6. Greater Challenges/Greater Rewards

Ginger Kane DTM, PID has been one of the greatest influences in my Toastmasters experience. At the beginning of my term as Area Governor she gave me the words of wisdom, “If we put in the effort, the sky is the limit to what we can achieve.” I found that the harder I worked on an Area Governor task the greater the benefit I received on the other side. If I felt daunted by a task, I simply gave a little more and everything usually turned out better than I had expected.

5. Leadership Training

It’s been almost a year since I attended Area Governor training. I remember meeting many new faces, and being inspired by each person in the room. At the time I had been a Toastmaster for just over 6 months, and I had very few experiences out of my club. The training provided me with knowledge about Toastmasters I didn’t even know I was missing. It also opened up my eyes to new ways I could apply my leadership skills. I met over a dozen people that day who became good friends.

4. Training Officers

After receiving the leadership training, I turned around and was able to give it right back to my Area club officers. I was so energized by being a catalyst for the training that I kept looking for new ways to apply it. We hit 100% for Area club officer training that summer, and 93% in the winter (only because of that lovely Nevada County snow!) We had fun, we uncovered problems and implemented solutions. Another amazing experience.

3. Building New Clubs

By far the biggest challenge of being an Area Governor – and the most rewarding. I had the opportunity to work with some amazing Toastmasters (Shawn Tuttle, Ruth Schwartz and Gary Peterman). We had meetings in restaurants and brainstormed potential clubs, we traveled outside of the Area to invite others to join us, we emailed, we called and we spoke enthusiastically about our new club. And now, a month away from the end of the Toastmasters year, we are only 2 members away from charter! What an accomplishment, what a team!

2. DECMS!

Driving down the hill to the District Executive Committee Meetings (DECM) was yet another wonderful experience. Not only did I get to see the other District officers who had become my friends, we shared concerns and exchanged ideas about how to become better leaders. We learned about service leadership, received tools to help our Area clubs, and were entertained by fellow leaders. I will always have fond memories of George Jarosik and Victor Jenkins attempting to one up each other on the Division reports!

1. Helping Fellow Toastmasters

Without a doubt, the number one reason why being an Area Governor rocks is when you get to watch the members and clubs in your care flourish and grow. Watching Judy Nichols and Paula Gleicher bring Empire Toastmasters from a struggling 6 members to a thriving 24 was exhilarating. Having 85% of the members of Mother Lode Toastmasters participate in a membership contest that resulted in 5+ new members was phenomenal. Attending an Early Risers sponsored new member breakfast with all four clubs attending and over 20 guests was exciting. Watching the dedicated members of Penn Valley Toastmasters continue to strive towards DCP goals and membership growth undaunted despite setbacks was humbling. My time in service to these four clubs and their members was filled with so many special moments, that I am sad to see my term end – but I will remember every moment fondly.

Thank you District 39, Division F, Area 64 for the best year ever!!

1. Practice extreme speaking