AARP New Jersey Official Course Guide

Welcome by Lavelle Jones, AARP New Jersey State President and Stephanie Hunsinger, AARP New Jersey State Director
9:30 am - 10:30 am
A welcome to AARP College 2018, including introductions to our new state president. This session will feature AARP TED Talks with staff providing key updates and broad overviews of their focus areas and strategy for 2018. What will be our high-priority goals and missions? How will we integrate multi-cultural outreach across all we do? How will you, our volunteers, shape the picture?

Featuring AARP New Jersey State President Lavelle Jones and AARP New Jersey State Director Stephanie Hunsinger
3:30 - 4:00 pm
Join us for closing comments and reflections on AARP College 2018. The AARP New Jersey leadership team will answer your questions and share in their own words final thoughts on 2018 organizational priorities; and the pivotal role of volunteers in driving our mission in New Jersey.

Led by: Dr. Edna Dismus, former President AARP Englewood Chapter; John Hall, President, AARP Woodstown Chapter; and Bridget Quinn, Senior Program Specialist, AARP New Jersey

In this collaborative learning session chapter leaders will have an opportunity to hear some of the best practices of other chapters in recruitment tactics, building leadership, creating community partners, coordinating events, and meeting with their elected officials. This workshop will also cover what resources are available to AARP Chapters through the AARP National Office, and the AARP New Jersey Office.

Breakout Session 3 : 2:15 pm- 3:15 pm

 

Led by: Arun K Bhattacharya, NJ State Coordinator and Irwin Horowitz, NJ Deputy State Coordinator; and Amos Britton, Chief Trainer  of the AARP Driver Safety Program

Come learn what the AARP Smart Driver Course, the nation’s first course designed especially for drivers age 50+ is all about! In this interactive session you will learn tips and tools straight from the Driver Safety class curriculum to help you stay safe on today’s roads. You will also learn how you can get involved with the program in your local community as a volunteer; as well as plenty of time for Q and A with the NJ Driver Safety Leadership Team. All participants will also receive a small thank you token from the Driver Safety team for participation.

Breakout Session 3 : 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm

 

Led by Susan Lutz, AARP National Advisor for Volunteer Engagement

Have you ever lost control of your audiencewhile leading ameeting? Thisworkshop will help you develop skills to be a more effective facilitator as well as provide some proven techniques and tools to help keep your audience focused and engaged. This interactive session will include a discussion and an opportunity to practice facilitating a group using these tools andtechniques.

Break Session 1 : 10:45 am-11:45 am

 

Led by Douglas Fullman, Statewide Volunteer Tabling Coordinator; Julie Marte, AARP New Jersey Associate State Director of Multicultural Outreach, and Dianne McGrath, Lead Volunteer on the Bergen Community Team

This breakout session will walk you through the purpose and process of representing AARP NJ at local community events, such as health fairs and cultural events. This supports our mission to engage with the public on the array of resources and information we offer that can provide a benefit to them and their loved ones. We will demonstrate an AARP display table and go over the “Do’s” and “Don’ts” to most effectively engage with your table participants

Breakout Session 3 : 2:15 pm- 3:15 pm

 

Led By: Christine Braccino, Lead Volunteer Middlesex County Community Team; Evelyn Liebman, Manager of Advocacy AARP New Jersey; and Julie Marte, ASD Multicultural Outreach AARP New Jersey

Recently new to AARP New Jersey and wondering how all the puzzle pieces fit together? Or maybe you’re looking for a refresher course on AARP New Jersey’s structure, what we do and why? In this interactive session you will get to know how the organization is structured both at a national and state level, what we focus on and why, and how those priorities are shaped and driven by AARP New Jersey volunteers across the state working in a variety of roles and programs. By the end you’ll have a solid understanding of how all the puzzle pieces connect to drive our organization’s mission across New Jersey!

Break Session 1 : 10:45 am-11:45 am

 

Led By: Isaac Kremer, Executive Director of the Metuchen Downtown Alliance; and Christine Newman, Manager of Outreach and Volunteer Engagement AARP New Jersey

What does it mean to make a community more livable for people of all ages? Join us to learn real world examples of how towns across the state are working to do just that, how AARP is helping support this work, and simple projects you and other community members can engage in to make your town a great place to live at any age.

Session participants will engage in a hands on livable communities project demonstration as part of the course.

Breakout Session 3 : 2:15 pm- 3:15 pm

 

Led by Crystal McDonald, AARP New Jersey Associate State Director of Advocacy

Join us to learn how to advocate for policy change with the local, state and federal policy makers. This workshop will focus on the basics of lobbying, including hands on practice and coaching from experts

on the AARP Advocacy Team.

Break Session 1 : 10:45 am-11:45 am

 

Led by Crystal McDonald, AARP New Jersey Associate State Director of Advocacy

Story telling is one of the most effective tools in advocacy, yet it is vastly underutilized in lobby visits  with policy makers. Join us for this advanced training on the art of telling your story in the most compelling way to advance your advocacy goals.

Breakout Session 2 : 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm

 

Led by Crystal McDonald, AARP New Jersey Associate State Director of Advocacy

**Prerequisite –Must have completed either Lobbying 101 or Lobbying 102 to participate.  Test your new skills from Lobbying 101 and/or Lobbying 102. Participants will work in a team to conduct a faux lobby visit and obtain feedback from professional lobbyists and/or policy makers.

Breakout Session 3 : 2:15 pm- 3:15 pm

 

Led by: Lillie Hudson, Chairwoman NJ Speakers Bureau, Lavelle Jones, AARP State President and Speakers Bureau Program Coordinator, and Katherine Moldave Speech Writer NJ Speakers Bureau

This interactive session is for anyone who enjoys public speaking and would like to support the AARP mission by giving valuable information to interested audiences. The session includes a mini-orientation to the Bureau and a review of the requirements for membership, as well as an introduction to the new 2018 topics available.

Breakout Session 2 : 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm

 

Led by: Richard Satyavan State Partnership and Communications Specialist, AARP NJ Tax-Aide Program

Come learn what the Tax-Aide program is all about, including tools, tips, and information about 2018 taxes straight from the course experts. You will also learn how you can get involved with the program in your local community as a volunteer; as well as plenty of time for Q and A with the program leadership. All participants will also receive a small thank you token from the Tax-Aide team for participation.

Breakout Session 2 : 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm

 

Led by: Ivaliese Chihimi, Communications Intern AARP NJ;   Michelle Murphy, AARP TEK Volunteer; & Bridget Quinn, Senior Program Specialist, AARP NJ

Do you know the basics functions of your smartphone, but want to learn more about how it can help you simplify tasks and stay connected on the go? Join this interactive workshop that will empower  you with the skills and knowledge to help you stay connected and share your AARP volunteer experiences with your digital community. Session participants will get an introduction to the AARP  TEK program, and also engage in an interactive social media project for “extra credit”!

*This session is intended for those who understand the basics of how to use a smartphone. Please  bring your smartphone to this course and have the Twitter app on your phone.*

Break Session 1 : 10:45 am-11:45 am

 

Led by Anthony Rizzi, Lead Volunteer AARP Middlesex Community Team; and Will Stoner, AARP National Advisor for Community Engagement

Ever wonder how you can do more with less and maximize engagement opportunities in your community? This workshop utilizes simple tools and active learning to help you apply changes to events that take the participant experience to the next level and deepen their understanding of who we are and what we do. These no cost and low cost changes can make a huge difference and assist you as you engage even more community members and volunteers in the AARPmission .

Breakout Session 2 : 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm