AARP Eye Center
Background
“AARP believes that volunteer service is a unique and valuable contribution which benefits both the volunteer and society…”
AARP NeighborWalks Volunteers are appointed and trained AARP volunteers who bring their passion for walking, connecting and health towards the goals of creating age-friendly and livable communities.
Volunteers are the backbone of NeighborWalks and are responsible for developing and leading walks around the city and in their own neighborhoods.
Depending on individual interest, volunteers can choose from a variety of roles available.
NeigborWalks volunteers are part of a cohesive program team that works closely with each other and staff colleagues to develop and administer annual schedule of NeighborWalks.
Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities
Walk Coordinator
- Create the walk and coordinate with staff to finalize walk
- Practice your walking route with Walk Leader, Understudy, Floater and Sweep
- Assist with promotion of your walk
- Greet and engage with walk participants
- Generally welcomes and leads the walk
- Completes and submits summary form with NeighborWalks team
Sweep
- Assist with waiver sign-in, & handouts including passport
- Greet and engage with walk participants
- Sweeps are responsible for ensuring inclusion by staying at the back of the walk to ensure no walker is left behind
Walk Lead & Understudy
- Assist with waiver sign-in, & handouts including passport
- Greet and engage with walk participants
- Know the walking route if the coordinator is not able to or not interested in leading the walk, the lead is the volunteer who does the welcome and leads the walk
- The lead is often the walk understudy
- Communicate with Walk Coordinator and staff in planning
- Support Walk Coordinator on day of walk
Float
- Assist with waiver sign-in, & handouts including passport
- Greet and engage with walk participants
- Floats generally “mind” the middle of the walk, support the walk lead and encourage pedestrian best practices from participants
Qualifications
- Ability to work well with diverse populations
- Ability to inspire and encourage others to become involved in AARP activities
- Ability to collaborate with other community organizations around AARP issues
- Ability to communicate via email & internet
- Ability to participate in walk activities as required by the program and chosen position function
Term of Service and Average Monthly Task Time
- One year term of service
- Renewable based on feedback and interest of supervisor and volunteer respectively.
- Average hours - 3 to 8 hours a month.
Available Resources
- Volunteer Portal
- Volunteer training
- Expenses reimbursement in accordance with AARP policy