District governor

D istrict governors provide leadership, motivation, and guidance to Rotary clubs under the general supervision of the RI Board of Directors. Governors act as officers of RI, fostering achievement in their district at the club level.

Under the District Leadership Plan, district governors prepare for and execute their duties over a three-year period.

Qualifications

To be eligible for the position of district governor, a Rotarian must

• Be a member in good standing of a functioning club in the district
• Have served as president of a club for a full term, or as president of a charter club from the date of the charter to 30 June, for a period of at least six months
• Demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to fulfill the duties outlined in the RI Bylaws, section 15.090
• Have completed seven years of membership at the time of taking office  

For more information, please refer to the RI Bylaws, section 15.070.

Selection

Districts nominate governors 24-36 months before the governors take office. Governors-nominee are elected at the RI Convention and serve as governors-elect for 12 months prior to taking office.

Responsibilities

During the 12-24 months prior to taking office, governors-nominee

• Analyze the district's strengths and weaknesses
• Review the district's organization and club administrative framework (club leadership plan)
• Attend district meetings and participate in district committees
• Select a site for the district conference

During the 12 months prior to taking office, governors-elect

• Set annual district goals
• Conduct district meetings, including the district team training seminar, presidents-elect training seminar, and district assembly
• Plan the district conference

During their term of service, governors 

• Strengthen existing Rotary clubs, organize new clubs, and promote membership growth
• Issue a monthly letter to each club president and secretary in the district
• Support The Rotary Foundation and serve as a district and RI spokesperson, when appropriate
• Hold a district conference and other district meetings
• Ensure that district nominations and elections are conducted in accordance with the RI Constitution and Bylaws and established policies of RI

Training

Governors-nominee

• Review the governor-nominee manual
• Attend recommended regional training seminars, when possible

Governors-elect

• Review the District Governor 's Training Manual
• Attend a governors-elect training seminar
• Attend the International Assembly
• Participate in training at the district level

Visiting clubs

Each year, governors visit every Rotary club in the district to draw attention to important Rotary issues and provide special attention to weak or struggling clubs. The purpose of these visits is also to motivate Rotarians to participate in service activities and to personally recognize the outstanding contributions of Rotarians in the district.

Visits may be conducted individually or with several clubs at the same time.