What can we expect from a Tournament Director?

Recently we've seen a lot of new tournaments. The person initiating a tournament is usually called Tournament Director, or TD. Personally, I think that the TD should take care of at least these things:

1. Take a conscious decision if one more tournament is desirable on top of other ongoing tournaments

With too many tournaments going on, we may see that not enough moderators are available. And we may also see more games end in a time-out, as players get to play in too many games.

2. Start the tournament

This is obviously the easiest part.

3. Define the format

4. Make sure the rules are clear to everyone

A good practice is to refer to the well-known correspondence chess rules. And the most frequently used pieces are well-known and well-described. This becomes critical when you want to use a new piece, or deviate at certain points from the rules that were written down by the original inventor.

4A: Define and tell in the OP whether the tournament is rated or not before the tournament starts. If the tournament is rated, make sure that the pieces and combinations of pieces that are used, are also eligible for rated Bulldog games.

5. Create the pairings when all participants have signed up

This can be harder than you think, if you haven't yet any experience with it. I really think that the TD is responsible for this and should either do this or very explicitly delegate this task to someone.

6. Make sure that players actually play their games and give a deadline

7. Update results and standings

I hope to see a lot of smoothly organized tournaments in future, without mods and players getting overloaded.

I suppose it's probably included in rule 5 but I'll say it anyway. As a TD you have to make sure that players actually play there game when they're paired together, even giving them a deadline if need be. I'd taken over as a TD in a tournament where the TD had a meltdown and had got all the pairings done. Then after the semi finals ended I took my eye off the ball because I thought I'd done all I to do. I ended up realizing that neither player had taken the initiative to start the finals (despite I think both being conscious that the other semi final had ended and knowing who'd won it).

I'm not criticising anyone (except I suppose my past self) I just felt like it was worth sharing my experience seen as it's not specifically stated and although it makes sense (which is why it's not stated) it's very possible to not think of it when you're organizing your first tournament.

Yes I've added this point too.

Nice list of responsibilities, I totally agree.

Good list of responsibilities. Two other notes:

1) If it's your first tournament (as tournament director) you might want to limit the size to eight players. (four games in round-1, assuming single-elimination).

2) I think Marks had a good idea in his tournament to only admit players who have completed at least one bulldog game (or some other criteria). This helps to eliminate no-shows.

Good list evert.

I've added this in the OP:

4A: Define and tell in the OP whether the tournament is rated or not before the tournament starts. If the tournament is rated, make sure that the pieces and combinations of pieces that are used, are also eligible for rated Bulldog games.

where can we find this list?

As of now there isn't such a list but there is some work being done in background. Thee is some consensus and there is a history of already played rated games that you can refer to.