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Toastmasters UK North & Ireland

Area Director of the Month Criteria

Area Director of the Month

The Area Director of the Month award recognises ADs who help clubs build membership, engage members in Pathways and reach Distinguished milestones earlier. This District 71 framework combines dashboard results with timely role responsibilities and supportive leadership.

Our monthly award recognises progress across all clubs in an area. Pathways achievement is the largest scoring category from July to April. May and June focus on officer-list submissions and recording completed learning.

How to qualify

To qualify each month, review dashboard education progress with every club’s President or Vice President Education. Confirm the next intended completions, target dates and support required. One shared tracker or area-wide email, confirmed by the relevant club officers, is sufficient evidence.

How the scoring works

Category Points
Pathways achievement July–April and submissions May–June 50
Membership and Distinguished progress 20
Monthly AD responsibility 15
Leadership participation 5
Club growth contribution 5
Supportive leadership 5
Total 100

 

Club-based scores use the percentage of clubs meeting the full target, so areas of different sizes are assessed fairly. Three of four clubs achieving a 50-point target earns 37.5 points. All education and new-member totals are cumulative from 1 July.

Monthly criteria

Level 2 equivalents mean Level 2 awards or Online Meeting Mastery completions credited on the dashboard. Four equivalents mean two towards Goal 2 and two more towards Goal 3.

 

July — Build the foundations

Criterion Points Achievement required Scoring or evidence
Pathways achievement 50 At least one Level 1 award recorded. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 50.
Membership and Distinguished progress 20 An agreed recruitment and retention plan with a membership target and named owner. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 20.
Monthly AD responsibility 15 Meet each club’s President or Vice President Education and agree an education plan with intended completions and dates. Percentage of clubs covered × 15.
Leadership participation 5 Attend ExDLT and required District Officer Training when scheduled, or complete an agreed catch-up. If none is scheduled, complete agreed district actions by their deadlines. Attendance register or catch-up/action confirmation.
Club growth contribution 5 Submit one qualified club lead accepted by the CGD, or complete a substantive CGD-agreed next step on an existing lead. CGD confirmation and lead reference.
Supportive leadership 5 Provide one club-confirmed example of practical, respectful support that resulted in an agreed action being completed. Existing email or message from a club officer.

Records: Dashboard; club officer confirmation of membership and education plans.

 

August — Train and connect

Criterion Points Achievement required Scoring or evidence
Pathways achievement 50 At least two Level 1 awards recorded. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 50.
Membership and Distinguished progress 20 At least one new member recorded. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 20.
Monthly AD responsibility 15 7/7 officer roles trained in the first period; first official club visit completed and report submitted. Two measures worth 7.5 each, based on the percentage of clubs achieving each.
Leadership participation 5 Attend ExDLT and required District Officer Training when scheduled, or complete an agreed catch-up. If none is scheduled, complete agreed district actions by their deadlines. Attendance register or catch-up/action confirmation.
Club growth contribution 5 Submit one qualified club lead accepted by the CGD, or complete a substantive CGD-agreed next step on an existing lead. CGD confirmation and lead reference.
Supportive leadership 5 Provide one club-confirmed example of practical, respectful support that resulted in an agreed action being completed. Existing email or message from a club officer.

Records: Dashboard; district training register; official visit-report record.

 

September — Secure the year

Criterion Points Achievement required Scoring or evidence
Pathways achievement 50 Four Level 1 awards recorded, achieving education Goal 1. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 50.
Membership and Distinguished progress 20 At least two new members recorded. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 20.
Monthly AD responsibility 15 Club Success Plans officially submitted by 30 September, allowing applicable new-club exceptions; renewals completed by the September deadline. CSP submission: club percentage × 7.5. Renewal rate × 7.5.
Leadership participation 5 Attend ExDLT and required District Officer Training when scheduled, or complete an agreed catch-up. If none is scheduled, complete agreed district actions by their deadlines. Attendance register or catch-up/action confirmation.
Club growth contribution 5 Submit one qualified club lead accepted by the CGD, or complete a substantive CGD-agreed next step on an existing lead. CGD confirmation and lead reference.
Supportive leadership 5 Provide one club-confirmed example of practical, respectful support that resulted in an agreed action being completed. Existing email or message from a club officer.

Records: Dashboard; official CSP submission record; renewal report.

 

October — Retain and progress

Criterion Points Achievement required Scoring or evidence
Pathways achievement 50 Four Level 1 awards and two Level 2 equivalents recorded. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 50.
Membership and Distinguished progress 20 At least three new members recorded. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 20.
Monthly AD responsibility 15 Complete a post-renewal membership review with each club and agree a recruitment or retention action. Percentage of clubs covered × 15.
Leadership participation 5 Attend ExDLT and required District Officer Training when scheduled, or complete an agreed catch-up. If none is scheduled, complete agreed district actions by their deadlines. Attendance register or catch-up/action confirmation.
Club growth contribution 5 Submit one qualified club lead accepted by the CGD, or complete a substantive CGD-agreed next step on an existing lead. CGD confirmation and lead reference.
Supportive leadership 5 Provide one club-confirmed example of practical, respectful support that resulted in an agreed action being completed. Existing email or message from a club officer.

Records: Dashboard; club officer confirmation of the review and action.

 

November — Complete visits and support learning

Criterion Points Achievement required Scoring or evidence
Pathways achievement 50 Four Level 1 awards and three Level 2 equivalents recorded. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 50.
Membership and Distinguished progress 20 Four new members recorded, achieving the first membership goal. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 20.
Monthly AD responsibility 15 Complete first-round official club visits and submit reports by 30 November. Percentage of clubs with visits and reports completed × 15.
Leadership participation 5 Attend ExDLT and required District Officer Training when scheduled, or complete an agreed catch-up. If none is scheduled, complete agreed district actions by their deadlines. Attendance register or catch-up/action confirmation.
Club growth contribution 5 Submit one qualified club lead accepted by the CGD, or complete a substantive CGD-agreed next step on an existing lead. CGD confirmation and lead reference.
Supportive leadership 5 Provide one club-confirmed example of practical, respectful support that resulted in an agreed action being completed. Existing email or message from a club officer.

Records: Dashboard; official visit-report record.

 

December — Reach the first milestone

Criterion Points Achievement required Scoring or evidence
Pathways achievement 50 Four Level 1 awards and four Level 2 equivalents recorded, achieving education Goals 1, 2 and 3. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 50.
Membership and Distinguished progress 20 Four new members recorded and at least four officer roles trained in each training period, subject to the training timing rule. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 20.
Monthly AD responsibility 15 Submit area contest details for the D71 website; approach a potential AD successor and refer them with their agreement. 7.5 for submitting contest details; 7.5 for an agreed succession referral.
Leadership participation 5 Attend ExDLT and required District Officer Training when scheduled, or complete an agreed catch-up. If none is scheduled, complete agreed district actions by their deadlines. Attendance register or catch-up/action confirmation.
Club growth contribution 5 Submit one qualified club lead accepted by the CGD, or complete a substantive CGD-agreed next step on an existing lead. CGD confirmation and lead reference.
Supportive leadership 5 Provide one club-confirmed example of practical, respectful support that resulted in an agreed action being completed. Existing email or message from a club officer.

Records: Dashboard; training register or confirmed bookings; website submission; succession referral confirmation.

Training timing: Where sufficient second-round training has not yet been offered, use first-round completion plus confirmed second-round bookings under a PQD-announced rule. Actual completion in both periods is required by February.

 

January — Review and restart

Criterion Points Achievement required Scoring or evidence
Pathways achievement 50 Four Level 1 awards, four Level 2 equivalents and one Level 3 award recorded. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 50.
Membership and Distinguished progress 20 Four new members recorded and at least four officer roles trained in each training period, subject to the training timing rule. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 20.
Monthly AD responsibility 15 Complete second-round official club visits and submit reports. Percentage of clubs with second-round visits and reports completed × 15.
Leadership participation 5 Attend ExDLT and required District Officer Training when scheduled, or complete an agreed catch-up. If none is scheduled, complete agreed district actions by their deadlines. Attendance register or catch-up/action confirmation.
Club growth contribution 5 Submit one qualified club lead accepted by the CGD, or complete a substantive CGD-agreed next step on an existing lead. CGD confirmation and lead reference.
Supportive leadership 5 Provide one club-confirmed example of practical, respectful support that resulted in an agreed action being completed. Existing email or message from a club officer.

Records: Dashboard; training register or confirmed bookings; official visit-report record.

Training timing: Where sufficient second-round training has not yet been offered, use first-round completion plus confirmed second-round bookings under a PQD-announced rule. Actual completion in both periods is required by February.

 

February — Reach the second milestone

Criterion Points Achievement required Scoring or evidence
Pathways achievement 50 Four Level 1 awards, four Level 2 equivalents and two Level 3 awards recorded, achieving education Goals 1 to 4. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 50.
Membership and Distinguished progress 20 Four new members recorded and at least four officer roles actually trained in each training period. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 20.
Monthly AD responsibility 15 Achieve 7/7 officer roles trained in the second period by the end of February. Percentage of clubs achieving 7/7 × 15.
Leadership participation 5 Attend ExDLT and required District Officer Training when scheduled, or complete an agreed catch-up. If none is scheduled, complete agreed district actions by their deadlines. Attendance register or catch-up/action confirmation.
Club growth contribution 5 Submit one qualified club lead accepted by the CGD, or complete a substantive CGD-agreed next step on an existing lead. CGD confirmation and lead reference.
Supportive leadership 5 Provide one club-confirmed example of practical, respectful support that resulted in an agreed action being completed. Existing email or message from a club officer.

Records: Dashboard; district training register. Bookings do not count as completed training.

 

March — Renew and advance

Criterion Points Achievement required Scoring or evidence
Pathways achievement 50 Education Goals 1 to 4 achieved, plus one Level 4, Path Completion or DTM award credited towards Goal 5. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 50.
Membership and Distinguished progress 20 At least six new members recorded. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 20.
Monthly AD responsibility 15 Support clubs to complete renewals by the March deadline. Area renewal rate × 15.
Leadership participation 5 Attend ExDLT and required District Officer Training when scheduled, or complete an agreed catch-up. If none is scheduled, complete agreed district actions by their deadlines. Attendance register or catch-up/action confirmation.
Club growth contribution 5 Submit one qualified club lead accepted by the CGD, or complete a substantive CGD-agreed next step on an existing lead. CGD confirmation and lead reference.
Supportive leadership 5 Provide one club-confirmed example of practical, respectful support that resulted in an agreed action being completed. Existing email or message from a club officer.

Records: Dashboard; renewal report.

 

April — Complete education goals

Criterion Points Achievement required Scoring or evidence
Pathways achievement 50 All six education goals achieved: four Level 1s; four Level 2 equivalents; two Level 3s; and two qualifying awards across Goals 5 and 6. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 50.
Membership and Distinguished progress 20 Eight new members recorded, achieving both membership goals. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 20.
Monthly AD responsibility 15 Review each club’s year-end plan, recording remaining DCP or qualifying-requirement gaps, owners and target dates. Percentage of clubs with a reviewed plan × 15.
Leadership participation 5 Attend ExDLT and required District Officer Training when scheduled, or complete an agreed catch-up. If none is scheduled, complete agreed district actions by their deadlines. Attendance register or catch-up/action confirmation.
Club growth contribution 5 Submit one qualified club lead accepted by the CGD, or complete a substantive CGD-agreed next step on an existing lead. CGD confirmation and lead reference.
Supportive leadership 5 Provide one club-confirmed example of practical, respectful support that resulted in an agreed action being completed. Existing email or message from a club officer.

Records: Dashboard; updated Club Success Plan or club officer confirmation.

 

May — Complete records and visits

Criterion Points Achievement required Scoring or evidence
Officer list submission 50 Club Officer List uploaded to the Toastmasters International back office. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 50.
Membership and Distinguished progress 20 Both membership goals, the training goal and the administration goal achieved. Together with all six education goals, this delivers the ten-goal milestone. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 20.
Monthly AD responsibility 15 Complete second-round official club visits and submit reports by 31 May. Percentage of clubs with second-round visits and reports completed × 15.
Leadership participation 5 Attend ExDLT and required District Officer Training when scheduled, or complete an agreed catch-up. If none is scheduled, complete agreed district actions by their deadlines. Attendance register or catch-up/action confirmation.
Club growth contribution 5 Submit one qualified club lead accepted by the CGD, or complete a substantive CGD-agreed next step on an existing lead. CGD confirmation and lead reference.
Supportive leadership 5 Provide one club-confirmed example of practical, respectful support that resulted in an agreed action being completed. Existing email or message from a club officer.

Records: Officer-list submission confirmation; dashboard; training register; official visit-report record.

Officer-list submission replaces the 50-point Pathways achievement measure in May. Continue reviewing Pathways progress with every club.

 

June — Finish and hand over

Criterion Points Achievement required Scoring or evidence
Officer lists and Pathways submissions 50 Club Officer List uploaded to the Toastmasters International back office, and all outstanding completed Pathways awards submitted for members. Officer-list club percentage × 25, plus Pathways submission club percentage × 25.
Membership and Distinguished progress 20 All ten DCP goals achieved and applicable membership, CSP and good-standing requirements met, subject to final official confirmation. Percentage of clubs meeting the full target × 20.
Monthly AD responsibility 15 Complete a written area handover and hold a handover discussion with the incoming AD or Division Director. 7.5 for the written handover; 7.5 for the handover discussion.
Leadership participation 5 Attend ExDLT and required District Officer Training when scheduled, or complete an agreed catch-up. If none is scheduled, complete agreed district actions by their deadlines. Attendance register or catch-up/action confirmation.
Club growth contribution 5 Submit one qualified club lead accepted by the CGD, or complete a substantive CGD-agreed next step on an existing lead. CGD confirmation and lead reference.
Supportive leadership 5 Provide one club-confirmed example of practical, respectful support that resulted in an agreed action being completed. Existing email or message from a club officer.

Records: Officer-list submission confirmation; VPE confirmation that no completed awards remain unsubmitted; final dashboard; handover document and meeting date.

The 50-point category is split into two measures of 25 points each. Lists already submitted in May count in June. VPE confirmation that no completed awards remain outstanding satisfies the Pathways submission measure.

 

Submit your evidence

Send the following to the Program Quality Director by the fifth of the following month:

  • Confirmation of your monthly education progress review with each club.
  • Your CGD lead or agreed follow-up reference.
  • One brief club-confirmed example of support that led to an agreed action being completed.
  • Any monthly evidence unavailable from central district records.

The PQD will use existing dashboard, training, visit and attendance reports wherever possible. Existing emails and confirmations are enough; no separate narrative report is needed.

 

Scoring rules

  1. Calculate proportionate scores. For club-based criteria, score = clubs meeting the full criterion ÷ clubs assigned to the area × available points. For example, three of four clubs meeting December’s education target earns 37.5 of 50 points. Keep one decimal place.
  2. Score all parts clearly. The 50-point and 20-point criteria require the full listed bundle for each club, except June’s 50 points: calculate officer-list submission and outstanding completed Pathways award submission separately at 25 points each. The 15-point responsibilities use the split stated in each monthly table.
  3. Set one cut-off. Use month-end results and evidence submitted by the fifth of the following month. Use a common dashboard reporting date and a consistent correction window for reporting delays. Late evidence does not change official Toastmasters deadlines.
  4. Fix the denominator. Use the clubs assigned to each AD at the start of the month. Document reassignment and newly chartered club adjustments consistently. Keep an auditable record of any exception.
  5. Calculate renewals consistently. Area renewal rate = memberships renewed from the opening renewal cohort ÷ memberships due to renew. Exclude new members from the numerator. Record the opening cohort before each renewal campaign.
  6. Award the recurring points. Leadership participation: 5 × required sessions attended or agreed catch-ups completed ÷ required sessions. Where none is scheduled, use the proportion of agreed actions completed on time; award 5 if the PQD confirms none was due. Club growth and supportive leadership each earn 5 when the stated evidence is present, otherwise 0.
  7. Resolve equal scores. First compare the percentage of clubs achieving all six education goals. Then compare the percentage of clubs recording at least one new credited education award that month. If still equal, make a joint award.
  8. Keep reporting light. PQD uses existing dashboard, attendance, training and visit records. ADs supply only missing confirmations, the CGD reference and one brief support example. No member learning histories or personal reasons for non-renewal are required.

 

Definitions

Cumulative results. Education awards and new-member totals run from 1 July to the month-end cut-off. Awards are not required again each month. Early completion continues to earn credit within the relevant year or reporting round.

Level 2 equivalents. Level 2 awards or Online Meeting Mastery completions credited towards DCP Goals 2 and 3. Four equivalents means two for Goal 2 and two more for Goal 3. Use dashboard credit rather than counting the same completion twice.

Higher education awards. Goals 5 and 6 each require one qualifying Level 4, Path Completion or DTM award. Use the dashboard’s credited achievements and applicable award-credit rules.

New members. For this award, use additions credited towards the DCP membership goals, including eligible new, dual and reinstated memberships. Eight means four for the first goal and four more for the second.

Training timing. The first training period is June–August and the second is November–February. For December and January, if sufficient second-round training has not yet been offered, accept first-round completion plus confirmed second-round bookings. PQD must announce this rule consistently before scoring. By February, actual completion in both periods is required.

Officer list submissions. May and June refer to the incoming club officer list for the next term. Accept a list already submitted in May when scoring June; no duplicate upload is required. This early submission target is separate from the dashboard administration goal for the current DCP year.

Completed Pathways awards. June credit covers awards members have actually earned and which require submission. A VPE may confirm that no completed awards remain outstanding, including where none were due. Do not submit incomplete learning for award credit.

Distinguished eligibility. Meeting a goal total does not alone establish Distinguished recognition. Check the current year’s qualifying membership, Club Success Plan and good-standing requirements. All ten goals do not automatically mean Smedley Distinguished; official recognition remains subject to Toastmasters confirmation.

 

 

Official guidance

Toastmasters International Brand Manual — https://content.toastmasters.org/image/upload/02330-001-0001-brand-manual.pdf

Education programmes and Online Meeting Mastery credit — https://toastmasters.org/education/education-programs-faq

Distinguished Club Program requirements — https://www.toastmasters.org/footer/faq/Distinguished%20Club%20Program

District Leadership Handbook — https://content.toastmasters.org/image/upload/222-district-leader-handbook.pdf

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