Leveraging Your Knowledge as an AARP Volunteer Leader Alumni

By Phil Zarlengo, AARP Volunteer Transitions alumni coordinator and former AARP Board chair

AARP’s former leadership volunteers have a wealth of knowledge that I believe can be leveraged and channeled in constructive ways. Increasingly I’ve been hearing how our alumni are using their knowledge and insights to help their community and extend AARP’s reach.

For some, the AARP state office may be the source of new roles either as a subject matter resource, a leader of a volunteer team or perhaps in another helpful position. But there are also roles that AARP volunteer alumni are playing on local task forces for transportation, work force issues or services for older adults. There are also former leaders who, through self-directed efforts, have made it a point to share information on initiatives such as the Fraud Watch Network with faith-based groups and service organizations.

Fortunately, we all have “social capital” (a.k.a. personal networks) that could benefit from tapping into resource material from AARP. As volunteer alumni leader, you have access to the New Volunteer Portal where you can review and download timely documents. You’ll find information on options for updating Social Security and the Take A Stand initiative or resources for an age-friendly community. Should you ever need support, just email volunteer@aarp.org.