September 28, 2026
District 211 District Council Meeting Minutes
Date: September 28, 2026
Time: 8:01 p.m. (Zoom)
Presiding Officer: District Director Estelle Foster
Attendees
Jill Groboski Vahlin
Estelle Foster
Gary Vaughn
Tom Coscia
Patti Howard
Elias Hayes
Stephen Enteman
Arlene Santiago
Wendy Pesavento
Burchell McGhee
Christina Evans
Anne Warth
Leigh Kottwitz
Carrie Dostal
Kari Sipinen
Aimee Pullen
Eric Seling
Arun Menon
Bertha Murillo
Jason Heissler
Dawn Weber
Sherri DeLeonardis
Richard Porter
Donna Gerig
Thad Gray
Samuel Giordano
Patrick Olson
Mark Whyte
Libby Kindle
Lillian Falciglia
Kevin Letts
Thaw Myat
Milan Doshi
Rosetta Keeton
Teetee Roberts Brown
Sylvia Awondatu
Ellen White
Shantay Wakefield Tigner
Janet Niebuhr
Tia Hammond
Michele Christman
Nate Randall
Ireen Smithers
Kari Susairaj
Mike Cox
Kris Sheehan
Bob Burd
Brook Meadows
Yvonne Coleman
Andrew Welter
Karen Varley
Regina Robart
Kevin Baker
Alex Oleksyn
Tom Ahillen
Ed Ulvestad
Kali Neifert
Tracy Kilvinger
Bradley Mecham
Sue Rankin
Logan Kummer
Maryann Reichelt
Dick Poirier
Amy Kelemen
Kaelee Fountain
Patrick Gallaher
Call to Order
The District 211 District Council Meeting was called to order by District Director Estelle Foster at 8:01 p.m. Central Time, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Inspiration and Mission
Carrie Dostal delivered the inspirational thought, “Joy Throws Better Parties.”
Richard Porter then presented the District Mission and Toastmasters Core Values:
District Mission: We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.
Core Values: Integrity, Respect, Service, and Excellence.
Meeting Appointments and Rules of Debate
District Director Estelle Foster announced the following meeting appointments:
Tom Coscia – Parliamentarian and Zoom Master
Patti Howard, DTM – Credentials Chair
Gary Vaughn – Timer
Jill Groboski Vahlin – Administration Manager, serving as Secretary for the meeting
The Virtual Annual District Council Meeting Rules of Debate were presented and adopted without objection.
Quorum
Credentials Chair Patti Howard, DTM, presented the credentials report.
Highlights included:
District 211 had 124 paid clubs in good standing, providing a quorum base of 208 representative votes.
62 clubs registered for the District Council Meeting.
55 clubs were represented at the meeting.
84 representative votes were required to establish quorum.
31 District Executive Committee members were in attendance and entitled to their individual DEC votes, separate from the club representative votes used to establish quorum.
Quorum was declared established.
Approval of Agenda
The agenda had been distributed in advance. Hearing no corrections or objections, the agenda was adopted by unanimous consent.
Approval of Previous Minutes
The minutes of the April 18, 2026 District Council Meeting had been distributed and made available online. Hearing no corrections or objections, the minutes were approved.
District Officer Appointments
District Director Estelle Foster presented appointments for the 2026–2027 Toastmasters year, including the Finance Manager, Administration Manager, Public Relations Managers, and Area Directors. The appointments had previously been shared by email and on the District 211 website.
Hearing no objection, the district officer appointments were approved.
2026–2027 District Budget
Finance Manager Elias Hayes presented the proposed 2026–2027 District budget.
Highlights included:
Total budget: $82,006, balanced to net zero.
Expected membership revenue: $65,806.
District Conference revenue and expenses: $16,200 each, resulting in a net-zero conference budget.
The budget did not include an October event, fundraising, or a district store.
Public relations expenses were primarily associated with the district website; the district is using a free platform for newsletter and email communications.
Following questions and discussion, no amendments were offered. The budget was approved and will be submitted to Toastmasters International World Headquarters.
District Alignment
District Director Estelle Foster reviewed alignment changes made following the April dues renewal to ensure areas met Toastmasters International requirements for four to six active clubs. The changes had previously been approved by the District Executive Committee and submitted to Toastmasters International.
Changes included:
Musco Toastmasters: Area 14 → Area 15, Division A
The Leadership Train: Division B, Area 21 → Area 33
Speak Like a Leader Toastmasters: Division C, Area 33 → Division B, Area 23, following relocation of its charter to Frankfort, Illinois
Top Talk Toastmasters: Division C, Area 36 → Area 35
Grace Church Toastmasters: Division D, Area 44 → Area 41
Anheuser-Busch Toastmasters: Division E, Area 53 → Area 51
Division Reports
Division A – Matthew Kanour
Highlights included:
Division A reported 25 clubs.
13 Club Success Plans had been completed.
10 clubs had completed September renewals.
One club was expected to enter suspended status because of low membership and was exploring a merger with another Des Moines-area club.
Area 13 Director Pauline Lang was recognized for completing all six first-round club visits.
Clubs were encouraged to submit open houses and other events to the District 211 website.
Division B – Anne Warth
Highlights included:
Five club visit reports had been submitted, with additional visits completed or scheduled.
20 of 25 clubs had completed Club Success Plans.
Division B reported net growth of 30 members, including 10 new members at Mapleton Risers.
14 clubs had achieved at least one Distinguished Club Program goal.
John Deere Toastmasters was completing a Speechcraft program with nine participants.
The division held its first Division Council meeting earlier in the month.
Division C – Christina Evans
Highlights included:
25 of 27 clubs had submitted Club Success Plans.
13 clubs had submitted the minimum eight membership renewals.
One club visit report had been completed, with additional reports expected in October.
Club anniversaries, community outreach, and a virtual social event were highlighted.
Division D – Leigh Kottwitz
Highlights included:
14 clubs, representing 61% of the division, had completed Club Success Plans.
Efforts continued to develop a community club in Moberly, Missouri, with the possibility of assuming the charter of a suspended club.
Area 45 Director Susan Marino was recognized for participating in discussions about rebuilding momentum in a corporate club and identifying challenges unique to corporate clubs.
Division E – Jim Zboran
The Division E Director was not in attendance; no report was presented.
Finance Manager Report
Finance Manager Elias Hayes presented the district financial report through the end of July.
Highlights included:
District reserve: $31,824.44.
District 211 received $25,308.99 through the realignment of the three legacy districts.
July membership revenue totaled $7,070.
July expenses totaled $354.55.
A separate checking account was established for district operating expenses.
The finance report was placed on file as presented, subject to audit.
Public Relations Report
Co-Public Relations Managers Arlene Santiago and Stephen Enteman presented the Public Relations report.
Highlights included:
The second District 211 newsletter was distributed to 1,135 email addresses.
The newsletter recorded a 51% open rate and approximately an 8% click rate.
The current District 211 website, Facebook, and LinkedIn links were included in the newsletter.
Members were encouraged to engage with and share district social media content and submit club events, accomplishments, open houses, and other news for district promotion.
Members not receiving the newsletter were encouraged to verify their email subscription settings or contact the Public Relations team.
Club Growth Director Report
Club Growth Director Gary Vaughn presented an update on club growth, membership, and Club Success Plans.
Highlights included:
Approximately 70% of District clubs, about 88 clubs, had submitted Club Success Plans.
The Club Success Plan and membership renewal deadlines were September 30.
Clubs entering low-member status after October 1 may request a Club Coach through the Club Growth Director.
Prospective club opportunities included Hy-Vee, Algoa Correctional Facility, a community club in Moberly, Missouri, and Mercy in St. Louis.
Carrie Susaraj was identified as a resource for clubs interested in conducting Speechcraft programs.
The District Market Analysis Plan had been submitted.
Program Quality Director Report
Program Quality Director Burchell McGhee presented the Program Quality report.
Highlights included:
79 of 128 clubs, or 62%, had at least four club officers trained.
11 clubs had all seven officers trained.
Round Two Club Officer Training was being planned as in-person sessions in Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa; dates and locations were to be determined.
All Division Directors and 21 of 24 Area Directors had completed training, for an overall training rate of 89%, exceeding the 85% requirement.
Area Director vacancies remained in Areas 15, 44, and 55.
The Spring Conference was being planned for approximately mid-April, with a Save the Date to be distributed once a location was confirmed.
Volunteers were sought for the Spring Conference, Toastmasters Leadership Institutes, and speech contests.
District Director Report
District Director Estelle Foster reviewed changes announced during the International Convention regarding district leadership hierarchy and eligibility requirements.
Highlights included:
Going forward, the order of service will be District Director, Club Growth Director, and Program Quality Director.
Service as Club Growth Director will be required before serving as District Director.
Transitional provisions will apply for the 2027–2028 program year.
Clubs were reminded of the September 30 deadlines for Club Success Plans and membership dues.
District Club Success Plan completion was approximately 70%, with a goal of 100%.
Two continuing priorities for District 211’s inaugural year are building a unified district culture and developing the district leadership pipeline.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
Partially Remote District Leaders
The District Council considered whether to authorize partially remote district leaders for the 2027–2028 Toastmasters International service year.
Motion
Wendy Pesavento, DTM, moved that District 211 authorize a District Executive Committee member whose registered home address or domicile is outside the geographic boundaries of District 211 to serve as a district leader consistent with the Toastmasters International definition of a partially remote district leader, provided that the leader attends required on-site district events and fulfills the responsibilities of the office.
The authorization would apply only to the 2027–2028 service year and would not establish a permanent change to Toastmasters International governing documents or district leader eligibility requirements.
The motion was seconded by Logan Kummer.
Discussion
Following discussion, an objection was raised to adoption by unanimous consent. A formal Zoom poll was conducted.
Vote
The affirmative vote prevailed. Motion carried.
Closing Remarks
Area 22 Director Kari Sipinen delivered the closing thought, encouraging members to “open our shades,” replace “same old, same old” with “stay new, stay new,” and embrace the power of “Yes, and.”
Announcements
The next District 211 District Council Meeting was tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 24, 2027, subject to change.
Adjournment
The meeting concluded at approximately 9:30 p.m. Central Time.
—————————————————————————————————————-
Respectfully submitted,
Jill Groboski Vahlin
Administration Manager, District 211