A New Challenge with the Realignment Committee

Originally published 41-3 Feb 2007

By Rhys Davies, ATM-S, CL, Prairie Horizons Editor

Last month, Immediate Past District Governor Troy Wruck offered me the assignment of acting District 42 Realignment Committee Chair.

I accepted, and I learned that assigning clubs into geographical areas would be a challenge. Every Spring Convention, club and district officers vote on next year's geographical alignment of clubs into Areas and Divisions based on the recommendations of the Committee.

When the committee decides on the club alignment, it takes the following Toastmasters International and District 42 policies and procedures into consideration:

(1) Each Area usually has four to six clubs. A district may have an Area with three clubs if efforts are made to charter a fourth club in the area.

(2) A division must have a minimum of three areas. Each division usually has four to six divisions.

(3) Districts are encouraged to assign clubs within areas based on geographic proximity to other clubs within that area.

(4) The assignment of clubs to areas and divisions should be in the best interests of the clubs and the district.

Most of the time, club alignment is usually quite stable. However, new clubs charter and weak clubs fold over the year, and the dynamics of areas and divisions change. Sometimes the realignment process is not cut and clear.

The District 42 Team will be discussing the recommendations of the alignment committee at the Mid- Winter Meeting in Camrose.

However, the final decision will made by you the club members. On April 28, 2007, please vote at the District Business meeting in Regina!