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What’s a FieldTrip? Virtual FieldTrips
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Learn Something Different!

Creating Sustainable Community Ecosystems: Everyday Actions for the Average Citizen

This event happened on Thu, Jan 15, 2026 ‱ Virtual
Overview 274 Lovely Attendees
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Your Host

Amanda ReCupido

Nonprofit strategic planning consultant.

Chicago, IL, USA

Amanda ReCupido has worked both in-house and agency-side with nonprofit clients to lead strategic planning efforts encompassing fundraising and communications, staff and board engagement, issues mitigation and more. Beyond work, she volunteers with her local library foundation and has served on the board of the College Career Consortium of Illinois. A published author, Amanda’s stories have been featured in anthologies and media outlets such as McSweeney’s and the Chicago Sun-Times. She’s a public speaker, a frequent podcast guest, and has spoken at storytelling events including The Moth. She holds a BA from Illinois Wesleyan University, and certificates from New York University and Northwestern University. She lives in the Chicagoland area.

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About this FieldTrip

This presentation and workshop will look at how our communities have been driven apart and how we as individuals can work to bring them back together.

Communities are full of governments, businesses, and nonprofits working together to make life better for its residents. If we can build coalitions within this existing framework, that energy will permeate outwards for some much-needed healing.

Please note: This FieldTrip offers optional breakout rooms. If you do not feel like joining one for any reason, no worries! We'll make sure you have something to do introspectively in the main room.

Agenda

  • So many people want to get involved and help make their communities better, but simply don't know where to start. After a presentation and case study of community change, we'll break into groups to workshop specific questions and challenges participants are facing in their areas.

  • In this FieldTrip, participants will learn how to:
    - Get involved in your community organizations
    - Interact with your local elected officials (and maybe even run for office yourself!)
    - Learn more about your neighbors
    - Become more engaged in your greater world

What to know or bring

  • Please bring something to write on and with

What to expect

Workshop format!

A hands-on session where participants get to build, craft, or create something tangible.

Optional breakout rooms!

This FieldTrip offers optional breakout rooms. If you do not feel like joining one for any reason, no worries! We'll make sure you have something to do introspectively in the main room.

It will be recorded!

The recording will be shared within 24 hours in the follow up email for a 4-day window, and available at the top of this page. Make sure to register for access!

Learn more about FieldTrips

54461678427 33e06f0e97 o
Your Host

Amanda ReCupido

Nonprofit strategic planning consultant.

Chicago, IL, USA
View profile

About Amanda ReCupido

Amanda ReCupido has worked both in-house and agency-side with nonprofit clients to lead strategic planning efforts encompassing fundraising and communications, staff and board engagement, issues mitigation and more. Beyond work, she volunteers with her local library foundation and has served on the board of the College Career Consortium of Illinois. A published author, Amanda’s stories have been featured in anthologies and media outlets such as McSweeney’s and the Chicago Sun-Times. She’s a public speaker, a frequent podcast guest, and has spoken at storytelling events including The Moth. She holds a BA from Illinois Wesleyan University, and certificates from New York University and Northwestern University. She lives in the Chicagoland area.

Attendees

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Kate O.

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Brittany E.

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Sara J.

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Emily C.

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Julie B.

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Kristin K.

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Valeri L.

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Sonya H.

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Lydia W.

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Rebecca H.

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Michelle W.

How to make the most of FieldTrips

The FieldTrips experience is defined not only by what the host has to share, but also by how we show up individually and collectively. The way we show up impacts our capacity to be moved, inspired, and activated.

Show up fully

Get ready to be immersed! Engage with smiles, nods, waves, emojis. Share in the chat. Get cozy. Turn off notifications. Sip your favorite beverage.

Stay curious

Wear your beginner’s hat. Go with the flow. Welcome the stumbles and fumbles. Congratulate yourself for trying. Keep going! 

Celebrate your host

Our hosts are members of the CreativeMornings community—just like you! Everyone comes to this with different backgrounds—a lot of our hosts have never done anything like this before! And we love that! Cheer them on when something goes awry and when it goes perfectly.

Support each other

We’re all figuring things out in real time. Celebrate, rather than critique emerging ideas. Cheer each other on as you try new things.  Try “Yes! And
” in conversation.

Not vibing?

It’s 100% okay when a FieldTrip does not resonate with you. Pop out quietly and try another experience later. Fill out the survey with your feedback (no dms to host or chat commentary, please.)