Nominate a DG

Frequently Asked Questions for Serving as a DG
These are among the most frequently asked questions about serving as District Governor (DG).

Training for the position begins with appointment as District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND), following an annual progression through District Governor Nominee (DGN), District Governor Elect (DGE), to DG. For additional information, please see the Rotary International (RI) Manual of Procedure.

1. Time Related Questions
a. How much time is needed to serve as District Governor (DG)? Serving as DG is a
multi-year commitment, gradually increasing in time required throughout the period from
DGND to DG. An individual will frequently need to be away from the daily operation of
his/her business. The time commitment for DG and preparation years includes, but is not
limited to:
 International Assembly for Training as DGE (January)
 Multi-District PETS in (March) annually as DG, DGE, DGN, and DGND
 District PETS Training and Multi-District PETS Operations Committee meetings as a DG,
DGE, DGN, and DGND
 District Conference and District Assembly annually as DG, DGE, DGN, and DGND
 Zone Institute as DG, DGE, and DGN (usually September or October); Governor Elect
Training Seminar (GETS) as DGE and DGN
 District Leadership Seminar and Strategic Planning meeting(s) annually with the
leadership team as DG, DGE, and DGN (usually in February); other strategic planning
meetings when held
 Official club visits (currently 43 clubs) as DG as prescribed by RI within the guidelines of
the District Leadership Plan and responsibilities of DG (see RI Manual of Procedure) —
Clubs may be combined for the meeting with the DG (as a club meeting or a special
event) AGs may conduct the meeting with club officers and board of directors, if desired;
As a general guide, the completion of club visits occurs over a 3–6 month period in the
first half of the year
 Additional club visits and participation in projects and events with Youth Exchange,
Interact, and Rotaract clubs as DG
 Special District Events involving the Foundation, club charter or anniversary celebrations,
etc., as DG, DGE, and DGN
 Participation in district committee meetings and work; the DG is de facto member of all
district committees; DGE and DGN serve as part of their governor orientation process;
b. Do I need to be retired to serve as Governor or can I continue to work? Although
many past governors were retired, it has not always been the case. Your ability to stay
involved with your business or complete periodic work assignments will vary based on your
type of work and the specific arrangements you have made in advance.
c. Is there time for family events or a vacation while I am DG or preparing to be
DG? Even though the year as DG is intense, many recent governors have been able to take
a personal vacation. There is some time if planned.
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d. Are there expectations when I am a PDG? Yes. The Rotary 7150 Manual of Procedure
includes several required responsibilities as Immediate PDG. These include serving as chair
of the D7150 District Governor Nominating Committee. PDG’s are encouraged to continue
serving the district and Rotary in leadership capacities in other ways after the DG year, such
as assisting in the DG orientation process as District Trainer (DT).

2. Financial.

I understand there are many costs to serving as Governor. What expenses should I expect to pay myself? There are a number of costs associated with the responsibilities of the Governor. Rotary International and District 7150 cover some of these expenses. There are some expenses not covered, the majority of which are at the discretion of the individual.
a. Items Funded by RI
 RI adequately funds travel expenses, including accommodations, of the District Governor
for club visits and the International Assembly. RI pays for spouse’s expenses at the
International Assembly if he/she attends the sessions.
 Expenses associated with putting on PETS as DGE (printing, communication, travel and
accommodations), and attendance as DG is funded by RI.
 Some office expense and communications expenses.
 Expenses of the District Governor to organize and attend the District Conference.
b. Items Funded by the District (up to an amount established by the adopted
budget) per D7150 Manual of Procedure:
 Zone GETS/Zone training for DG, DGE, DGN and DT(s)
 District Conference and Assembly for DG and partner, DGE, DGN, DG Trainer, from
District funds expenditures relating to actual attendance not paid for by RI.
 Multi-District PETS for DG, DGE, DGN, DT(s) and AG’s

3. Qualifications and Background.

What Rotary experience and background should I have prior to serving as Governor? The Nominating Committee will review a candidate’s experience at both the club and the district levels, as well as other applicable background and leadership experience.
a. In addition to RI’s minimum requirements, summarized below, recommended District
experience prior to becoming a candidate includes:
 Leadership Service (especially recent service) that demonstrates a familiarity with the
District; such as AG or district committee chair(s), active service on district committees,
 Attend/Participate in District Conferences, District Assembly, and International
Conventions, especially recent participation
b. A brief summary of RI’s requirements for those nominated for DG:
[see the enclosed Qualifications of a District Governor from the (RI) Manual of Procedure]
 Membership, in good standing, of a functioning club in the district
 Service completed as president of a Rotary Club for a full term
 Demonstrated willingness and ability to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the office
 Membership in one or more Rotary clubs for at least seven years at the time of office
 Ability and commitment to meet possible additional requirements for taking office

4. What does a District Governor do?

The governor is the only officer of RI in the district and is under the general control and supervision of the RI Board. The governor provides leadership and supervision, as well as inspiration and motivation for clubs in the district, and ensures continuity within the district by working with past, current and incoming district leaders in fostering effective clubs. The governor is responsible for the following activities, as well as many other activities required by the needs of the district:
 Organizing new clubs
 Strengthening existing clubs
 Promoting membership growth
 Supporting Rotary Foundation participation and financial contributions
 Promoting cordial relations among clubs and between the clubs and RI
 Planning for and presiding at the district conference and assisting the governor-elect in the
planning and preparation for presidents-elect training and the district assembly
 Providing for an official visit, individually or in multi-club meetings, at a time that
maximizes the governor’s presence, for the purpose of:
a) Focusing attention on important Rotary issues
b) Providing special attention to weak and struggling clubs
c) Motivating Rotarians to participate in service activities
d) Ensuring that the constitution and bylaws of clubs comply with RI’s constitutional
documents, especially following councils on legislation
e) Personally recognizing the outstanding contributions of Rotarians in the district
 Issuing a monthly letter to each club president and secretary in the district
 Reporting promptly to RI as may be required by the president or the RI Board
 Supplying to the governor-elect, before the International Assembly, full information on the
conditions of clubs in the district with recommendation for strengthening clubs
 Ensuring that district nominations and elections are conducted in accordance with the RI
Constitution, RI Bylaws, and established RI policies
 Inquiring regularly about the activities of Rotarian organizations operating in this district
(Friendship Exchanges, inter-country committees, Global Networking Groups, etc.)
 Transferring continuing district files to the governor-elect
 Performing such other duties as are inherent as the officer of RI in the district.

5. Other Considerations. What other factors should I consider?
a. Good health. A rigorous travel schedule, with some challenging conditions over long time
periods in an intensive meeting and activity schedule requires good health and stamina.
b. Effectively ability to use technology, including email and computer database and
communication software. Increasingly significant amounts of a District Governor’s
responsibilities include the use of email, electronic reporting, data management, etc.
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c. Partner/Family support. Those with partners and families should understand the
commitment made for the period immediately prior and during the year of service. Family
and work time is compromised. Having a partner travel with you is optional but can be a big
help, for example, keeping track of appointments, commitments, etc. Some partners help as
administrative assistants; some are able to take over other personal responsibilities to allow
the DG more time.
d. Support of the home club. The home club may provide monetary, in-kind or other types
of support (e.g., toward DGN travel, office equipment or supplies, help with filing and
similar tasks, transportation to and from the airport or other). They may also assist with the
District Conference or help with other key initiatives of the Governor during the year.
e. Support system in the District. A number of PDGs are active and willing to help. PDG
serve as District Trainer or as Chair of district-wide committees. District Committees with
Rotarian leaders assist the District Governor in conducting activities and achieving goals.
f. District strategic plan and planning process. Multi-year planning helps to provide
longer-range processes and combined efforts to assist incoming DGs in goal setting. Long
term planning assists the DG to concentrate on leadership and helping clubs. A Finance
Committee helps with budgeting, Leadership Development with leader identification,
Advisory and Strategic Planning with longer-term issues and Administrative committee with
some district-wide administrative functions.
g. District merger considerations. Our District 7150 may merge with a neighboring District. There are no firm plans to merge, but our District is proactive in planning for the possibility. This added factor will require flexibility and a willingness to adapt on the part of the District Governor. The selected District Governor may be responsible for a larger District and have a larger team. Depending on the timing of a merger, it is possible that the DGND selected in 2021 will serve as governor in a year other than 2024-2025.

6. Application and Selection Process.
a. How do I apply? Rotary clubs may suggest one member for nomination to the District 7150 DGND Nominating Committee by submitting a resolution, adopted at a regular membership meeting, signed and dated by the club secretary, and per the timeline outlined in the Call for Nominations, along with a completed Governor Nominee Data form and Rotary resume. The nominating committee for governor may request other information and is not be limited to consideration of only those candidates suggested by clubs.
b. How will the selection be made? What information will be considered in the
selection process? Nominated candidates will participate in an interview process with the
Nominating Committee. It may include several components. The Committee will utilize the
information in writing from a candidate’s resume and that discussed during the interview
process, as well as other available information about the candidate’s skills and background
relevant to the position requirements and his/her past leadership experience.
c. Are there any prohibitions on campaigning if nominated for DGND? Rotarians shall
not campaign, canvass, or electioneer for RI elective position, or allow any such activity,
either on their behalf or on behalf of another. No brochures, literature, letters, or other
materials, including electronic media and communications, may be distributed or circulated
by Rotarians or on their behalf to any clubs or members of clubs.
d. Is it true that I will need to apply several times before I am selected? If you are
interested in being governor in the near future, we encourage you to submit your
application now. Based on a number of factors, some candidates applied once and some
more than once before they were selected. Please be aware that several of our most
successful governors were nominated more than once.