The area director helps clubs meet the mission of helping members grow. The Area Director is the direct connection between the club and the Toastmasters District which exists to help the clubs succeed. They don’t single-handedly solve club problems, they partner with members to brainstorm and carry out solutions.

Area Directors facilitate connections between clubs.  An important part of Toastmasters is engaging with other Toastmasters members.  An Area Director sharing ideas from one club to another can help the members of each club feel the benefits of being part of a larger organization.

Area Directors often serve as mentors for club officers, particularly club Presidents, in their Area.  The Area Director works to ensure the club officers recieve club officer training, whether that be through attendance at a Toastmasters Leadership Institute, another club officer training event or through individual officer training.

An Area Director is expected to be familiar with the Toastmasters Dashboard to track club progress towards meeting Distinguished Club Program goals, and to communicate with the clubs in their Area about how to achieve those goals.

Area Directors are expected to be familiar with the roles and resources at the District and International levels in order to help direct clubs to the appropriate resources for assistance when needed.

At a minimum Area Directors are required to complete an Area Director Club Visit Report for each club in their Area twice a year.  It is much more helpful if Area Directors visit the clubs in their Area on a regular basis.  They are not expected to attend every club meeting, but attending each club once per month is a good target to build a rapport and strong understanding of each club.

As the main point of contact for clubs with the Districts organization, Area Directors are expected to ensure that the clubs are aware of District events and activities.

The most successful Area Directors will host Area Council meetings where they can discuss with the officers of clubs in their Area ways that the clubs can improve.

Area Directors are expected to recruit someone to serve as an Area Contest Chair.  The Area Contest Chair will then recruit all other roles required for the Area Contest and plan the Area Contest.  The Area Director should not serve as the Area Contest Chair, or as the Area Contest Chief Judge, but may decide to serve as the Contest Toastmaster.

Area Directors are expected to work closely with their Division Director.  The Division Director can provide training, mentorship and support to the Area Director for tasks where the Area Director needs assistance.

Area Directors are expected to look for opportunities to build new clubs in their Area, and with the assistance of the District Club Growth Director support the formation of those new clubs.

Area Directors are expected to attend Division Council meetings, District Executive Council meetings and District Business meetings throughout the year.