We Want YOU! Nine Ways to Connect with AARP Maryland

"The human contribution is the essential ingredient."
-Ethyl Percy Andrus, founder of AARP

You might be surprised at how many different ways there are to volunteer with AARP in Maryland! Here are nine great examples of how you can connect with us:

1) Do you strike up conversations with strangers everywhere you go? You might just be an Outreach Emissary . AARP Maryland Emissaries work collaboratively with AARP members, chapters, the public and local organizations across the state to share information and resources on a variety of programs and activities.

2) Love being online and “liking, commenting, or tweeting?” Enjoy using Facebook or Twitter to keep up with family, friends and businesses? You can help us make an impact across the Web as an AARP Social Media Volunteer! Time commitment is minimal and at your own pace.

3) Can you tell a good story? How about speaking your mind on issues that matter to you? If you have a few hours a month, you could be featured on AARP MD’s state blog as an AARP Maryland Guest Blogger and help us make a difference! Topics are flexible, and time commitment is too.

4) Want to work with the legislative process or have an interest in learning about government relations? Become an AARP Maryland Advocate and you could soon attend legislative hearings, help organize grassroots groups or meet with lawmakers. Being personable and organized is a plus. Most advocacy activities occur January-April, with varying time commitments.

5) Are you the one in the group always taking photos or “selfies?” Or, are you curious about your camera phone and want to learn what a “selfie” is? We want to train “wanna be” Photographers to shoot pictures and videos at events. Budding photographers wanted! Attend exciting events and learn valuable, marketable skills along the way. Time commitment is flexible. All you need is a smart phone! We’ll teach you what to do with it!

6) Do you like keeping up with policy, but aren’t so sure that activism is for you? Join AARP as an Arm-Chair Advocate and you can help improve policies that affect Marylanders 50+. Arm-chair advocates contribute by conducting research, emailing legislators and even helping to draft testimony and other materials for our advocacy activities. Most advocacy activities occur in January-April, with varying time commitments.

7) Have you always told others how to drive? You could become a Driver Safety Instructor in AARP Driver Safety’s nationwide network of volunteers who teach drivers 5 and over how to stay safe on today’s roads.

8) Do you crunch numbers for fun? Join the nation’s largest free and volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service in helping low- and middle-income taxpayers as a Tax-Aide Volunteer. No experience needed; tax-season has the highest need!

9) Want to do something different than what is listed above? Discover hundreds of ways that AARP helps make a difference in Maryland at CreateTheGood.org.

As an AARP volunteer, you will:

• Benefit from high quality training and education
• Enjoy new challenges
• Connect with people, partners and leaders from across Maryland
• Partner with others who share your commitment to improving quality of life for all
• Choose from a host of training opportunities
• Have fun
• Truly make a difference!

To join the corps of people making a difference in Maryland,  please contact Christy Page at cpage@aarp.org.