Volunteer Community-Based Teams Take AARP Local

Volunteers are the face of AARP in the community. AARP Mississippi is honored to have so many talented and skilled individuals who have expressed an interest in giving back to their communities. We are preparing volunteers and equipping them with the tools they need to volunteer locally.

We have begun hosting Volunteer Community-Based Team meetings in DeSoto County, the Gulf Coast and Central Mississippi. An ideal Volunteer Community-Based Team includes volunteers from all facets of AARP, including AARP Driver Safety, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, AARP Foundation Fresh Savings, Retired Education Personnel of Mississippi (REPM), Chapters, Community Groups, and State-Appointed volunteers.

During the initial meetings, participants were asked to identify the volunteer role for which they were most passionate. “We shared information about our objectives, and we also asked participants about events and activities in their communities where they thought AARP Mississippi should have a presence,” said Ivory Craig, Associate State Director for Community Outreach. “We have learned that we achieve greater results when volunteers are given the latitude to maximize their skills in their communities.”

The Desoto County volunteers meet the third Friday of each month, and the Gulf Coast volunteers meet the first Monday of each month. The Central Mississippi volunteers began meeting this year, and they will meet on the third Tuesdays of each month. Email or call Ivory Craig to find the times and locations.

“If we don’t have a team that covers your area, please call me because AARP Mississippi appreciates your desire to volunteer with us,” Craig said. “We want to make sure that we work with you so you can truly be the face of AARP in your community.”

Ivory Craig

Associate State Director for Community Outreach

601-898-5420

ICraig@aarp.org