Zeal Women's Group

07/16/2026

Join us for a relaxed morning of conversation, connection, and community at Zeal!
Our next in person gathering is Wednesday, July 22 from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM at Barista's Bouquet in Urbandale, located at 3837 121st St, Urbandale, IA 50323.
Zeal is a space for women who are growing, navigating change, building careers, strengthening friendships, and intentionally creating lives they love. Whether you are looking for connection, support, encouragement, new opportunities, or simply a place to show up as yourself, you are welcome here.

Each gathering is a little different. Some meetings include guest speakers, networking opportunities, volunteer opportunities, guided discussions, leadership conversations, or simply time to reconnect and support one another.

Not yet part of our Slack community? Join us here to stay connected between meetings: https://join.slack.com/t/zealdsmmembers/shared_invite/zt-3y860pg4y-lMfrNrW1zNHCIpMI1exRzA

Feel free to invite a friend. Come as you are. There is no pressure to share, perform, or have everything figured out. We would love to see you.

A few notes: Zeal remains donation based with no required dues. Please plan to purchase your own coffee or breakfast item while we gather. Zeal alternates between in person and virtual gatherings throughout the year, and this one is in person!

06/24/2026

This morning at Zeal we talked about something simple but surprisingly difficult: giving feedback well.

Most feedback conversations do not go wrong because the issue is wrong. They go wrong because of how we communicate.

We explored the C.A.R.E. framework:
• Clarify facts
• Address directly
• Respectfully communicate impact
• Explore solutions

One of my favorite reminders from today:

Feedback is not about being right. It is about getting back on the same team.

Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation this morning.

If you missed it, no worries. We shared notes, reflections, and the meeting recap in our Slack community so everyone can continue learning and connecting between meetings.

Join us here:
https://zealdsmmembers.slack.com/

Meeting recap:
https://zealdsmmembers.slack.com/archives/C0AHYGJGX8T/p1782310195707259

We meet monthly on the fourth Wednesday and would love to see you next time.

06/23/2026

Giving feedback shouldn't feel like a guessing game.

Tomorrow at our Zeal Monthly Meeting, we're breaking down the C.A.R.E. method, a simple, repeatable way to give feedback that actually lands. Whether you're managing a team, working with a contractor, or growing your network, this is one skill that pays off immediately.
Wednesday, June 24, 7:30 to 8:30 AM. Virtual.

Join the meeting here: https://meet.google.com/nfp-fbmw-nkw
Not a member yet? Join our Slack community here: https://zealdsmmembers.slack.com/

Come for the early morning coffee, leave with a tool you'll actually use.

06/06/2026

Today was a good reminder that meaningful things do not always require a big group.

Huge thank you to Sherrie Ann for donating her time and to Kirsten Weiland for donating paint for our Zeal volunteer project at our nonprofit partner, The Beacon Des Moines.

Together, we finished the staff bathroom refresh ahead of schedule, which means we will not need to meet next Sunday after all.

This project started with a simple idea: create a space that reflects some of the care staff pour into others every day.

I’ll share before and after photos once the paint dries and everything is back in place.

Good morning, everyone.

Today is the day.

This morning we’ll gather at The Beacon Des Moines to refresh a staff space as a small way to care for the women who spend their days caring for others.

The room is prepped, the shelving is down, and we’re ready for the first coat of paint.

And yes… the color is called Breathtaking, which feels fitting.

Thank you for saying yes to showing up. We know your time is valuable and truly appreciate you choosing to spend part of your Saturday with us.

A special thank you to Kirsten for donating the paint and helping make this project possible.

Details:

Saturday, June 6
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

The Beacon at Sherman Hill
1717 Woodland Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309

Parking & Arrival Instructions:

Please park on Woodland Ave and enter the building on the 18th Street side.

Please do not block 18th Street so the area remains accessible.

See you soon.

Women building up women.

06/06/2026

Good morning, everyone.

Today is the day.

This morning we’ll gather at The Beacon Des Moines to refresh a staff space as a small way to care for the women who spend their days caring for others.

The room is prepped, the shelving is down, and we’re ready for the first coat of paint.

And yes… the color is called Breathtaking, which feels fitting.

Thank you for saying yes to showing up. We know your time is valuable and truly appreciate you choosing to spend part of your Saturday with us.

A special thank you to Kirsten for donating the paint and helping make this project possible.

Details:

Saturday, June 6
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

The Beacon at Sherman Hill
1717 Woodland Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309

Parking & Arrival Instructions:

Please park on Woodland Ave and enter the building on the 18th Street side.

Please do not block 18th Street so the area remains accessible.

See you soon.

Women building up women.

06/03/2026

Women need women. 💚

A place to connect. A place to laugh. A place to share ideas, support one another, grow, and remember that community matters.

That is what Zeal is about.

We meet monthly on the 4th Wednesday, alternating between in person and virtual gatherings so there are different ways to connect depending on your schedule.

No dues. No pressure. No expectations.

Just women showing up for women.

Slack Community:
https://join.slack.com/t/zealdsmmembers/shared_invite/zt-3y860pg4y-lMfrNrW1zNHCIpMI1exRzA

This fits the cleaner, lower-text graphic better and lets the image do most of the work.

05/27/2026

This morning’s Zeal gathering was such a good reminder of why spaces like this matter.

Women need community. Women need support. Women need places where they can talk honestly about life, work, goals, stress, growth, and everything in between without pressure to perform or pretend.

We also spent time talking about ways Zeal can continue growing beyond monthly gatherings and into a true community of women supporting women.

A few things coming up:

• Volunteer opportunities at The Beacon on June 6 and June 13
• A possible Zeal book club
• A casual happy hour at the end of June
• More opportunities for connection between meetings

If you want updates, volunteer details, frame donation needs, and future conversations, make sure to join our Slack community:

https://join.slack.com/t/zealdsmmembers/shared_invite/zt-3y860pg4y-lMfrNrW1zNHCIpMI1exRzA

Thank you to every woman helping make Zeal what it is becoming.

05/27/2026

Women supporting women is powerful.

Not because we all have the same experiences, careers, goals, or stories, but because there is something special about having people in your corner who encourage you, celebrate your wins, help you navigate challenges, and remind you that you do not have to do life alone.

That is a big part of what Zeal is all about. Connection. Community. Support. Friendship. Women showing up for one another.

We meet monthly on the 4th Wednesday, alternating between in person and virtual gatherings to create flexibility and connection for busy schedules.

☕ In person gatherings (every other month):
Barista’s Bouquet | Urbandale
3837 121st St
Urbandale, IA 50323

🕒 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM

Every gathering looks a little different, but the heart behind it stays the same: women supporting women.

Bring a friend or come solo. We’d love to have you.

05/27/2026

Women supporting women is powerful.

Not because we all have the same experiences, careers, goals, or stories, but because there is something special about having people in your corner who encourage you, celebrate your wins, help you navigate challenges, and remind you that you do not have to do life alone.

That is a big part of what Zeal is all about. Connection. Community. Support. Friendship. Women showing up for one another.

We meet monthly on the 4th Wednesday, alternating between in person and virtual gatherings to create flexibility and connection for busy schedules.

☕ In person gatherings (every other month):
Barista’s Bouquet | Urbandale
3837 121st St
Urbandale, IA 50323

🕒 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM

Every gathering looks a little different, but the heart behind it stays the same: women supporting women.

Want updates on topics, speakers, and upcoming gatherings?

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1EYXc6HSc4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Slack:
https://join.slack.com/t/zealdsmmembers/shared_invite/zt-3y860pg4y-lMfrNrW1zNHCIpMI1exRzA

Bring a friend or come solo. We’d love to have you.

05/27/2026

One of the things we talk about often in Zeal is the importance of showing up for one another and for our community.

One way we can do that this week is by supporting our nonprofit partner, The Beacon Des Moines, at their Trivia Night fundraiser this Thursday.

You do not need to be a trivia expert. You do not need a full team. You honestly just need to come ready for a fun evening supporting women rebuilding their lives.

Every ticket helps provide safe housing, support, stability, and long-term healing for women working toward recovery and independence.

Thursday, May 28
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Bash
1312 Locust St #101
Des Moines

Food and beverages available for purchase
Wine pull available

Tickets:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/beacontrivianight2026/event/beacontrivianightmay2026/

We would love to see some Zeal ladies there supporting the work together.

Trivia Night is this Thursday! 💛

Still thinking about coming? Consider this your sign.

You do not need to be a trivia expert. You do not need a perfect team. You do not even need a full team of four. Come with friends, come by yourself, or come ready to meet some new people.

Join us for an evening of old school trivia while supporting women rebuilding their lives at The Beacon.

Every $26 ticket provides one full day of safe housing, support, and stability for a woman working toward healing, recovery, and long-term independence.

This is not short-term help.
It is long-term change.

Thursday, May 28
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Bash | 1312 Locust St #101, Des Moines

Wine pull available
Food and beverages available for purchase

Get your tickets here:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/beacontrivianight2026/event/beacontrivianightmay2026/