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about region vii
A region is an entity established to fulfill specific administrative activities. Region VII is one of eight geographic regions established by the Toastmasters International Board of Directors.
Region VII is comprised of eight districts which are the administrative extension of Toastmasters International World Headquarters.
Region VII extends from central Virginia along the Atlantic coast into the Maritime Provinces of Canada. It is one of four regions that encompasses districts from both the United States and Canada. District 45 is one of only five districts that straddles the US-Canadian border.
The Region functions for four purposes:- Train incoming district officers
- Select one or two candidates for International Director
- Select one speaker for the International Speech Contest Finals
- Select the site for the future Regional Conference.
history
Prior to the establishment of regions, candidates were selected by the Elections Committee, giving consideration to geographic locations and based on a survey sent to all District Governors and International Officers. This was much like the Survey now conducted by the Nomination Committee in December of each year.
Three members represented the geographic eastern districts: Early 1950’s, Ray Castle, District 34 (now District 65, central & western New York, Region VI); 1955, George Mucey, District 13 (western Pennsylvania, Region VI) and 1957, Herman Hoche, District 36 (Washington, D.C. area).
The Regions, as we know them, came into being at the International Convention in 1957. That is when the Board of Directors amended the Bylaws, creating eight regions in the United States and Canada. The first election of International Directors from the regions took place in 1958, so for all intents and purposes, that is when Region VII began.
At that time Region VII was composed of seven districts: District 31 in 1950, District 36 and District 38 in 1952, District 45, District 46 and District 53 in 1955, and District 18 (the first District 18 included Scotland and England, the number was available for reassignment to the current District 18 in 1966). In 1989, District 27 was split off from District 36.
At the February 2007 Board of Directors meeting, the Board gave final approval for District 46 to split into two Districts, thereby giving Region VII a new opportunity for growth and success. The District numbers were drawn by lot and the District East of the Hudson River will retain the District 46 designation and the District West of the Hudson River will become District 83. In May 2007, District 46 elected two Lt. Governors Marketing, two Lt. Governors Education and Training, and one District Governor. Effective July 1, 2008, Region VII will welcome District 83, so that nine Districts are within the Region.
Earlier, in 1958, each of the eight regions had a Zone A and a Zone B. The region held a joint general meeting but separate business meetings to nominate a Director candidate. At the 1965 New York City convention, the Zones were eliminated. Starting in 1966, each region held one business meeting to nominate director candidates.
Originally, there were six directors; now there are eighteen. Two directors from each region and two directors (Directors-at-Large) from outside the United States and Canada are on the Board of Directors.
After the elimination of the zones, political activity reached a high level. Strong sentiments were expressed at the meeting in 1965, resulting in the adoption of a unification plan for Region VII. The purposes were strongly political, with the avowed intent of nominating only one candidate for Director each year. This action caused the institution of regularly scheduled mid-year meetings. As the years passed, vestiges of the original purpose still remain, but by and large, Region VII activity is more directed to education and fellowship. The Directors now play a major role in managing these meetings with emphasis on the Toastmasters International Distinguished District and Distinguished Club programs.
Originally written in 1980 by Robert W. Blakeley, DTM, Past International President, 1976-77; Revised in 1986 by Howard Rivenson, DTM, International Director, 1985-87; revised in 1999 by Terry G. Schutt, DTM, International Director, 1998-2000; revised in 2003, 2004, 2007.
