Club Alignment

Every district reviews the alignment of its clubs, areas and divisions each year and amends it if needed. The process and its limits come from the District Administrative Bylaws and from Toastmasters' Policy and Protocol, so they are the same in every district.

The district director appoints an alignment committee chair and its members no later than January 1. The members are the division directors, with each division equally represented, and the chair must have served previously as a division director, club growth director, program quality director or district director.

The committee prepares an alignment proposal and provides it to the district executive committee for review. The district council then reviews and approves the alignment — the number of divisions and the assignment of clubs into areas — at its annual meeting, which is held between March 15 and June 1. What the council approves takes effect the following July 1, and the district's alignment must reach World Headquarters no later than July 15.

The structure itself is fixed by protocol.

• An area consists of four to six clubs as of July 1, of which at least four must be in good standing. Under no circumstances may an area have more than six clubs on July 1.

• An area may not be made up solely of advanced clubs.

• Areas may be grouped by language, subject to the approval of the district council.

• A division must have a minimum of four areas.

Clubs are assigned to areas on the basis of geographic proximity, the ability of an area director to serve them, club size and strength, prospective clubs and expected growth, and the likelihood of eligibility for Distinguished programs.

Once the district council has approved an alignment, only the district executive committee may amend the assignment of clubs into areas, on the alignment committee's recommendation and by a two-thirds vote. The number of divisions must not be amended.