AARP New Jersey Official Course Guide 2019

Welcome by Lavelle Jones, AARP New Jersey State President and Stephanie Hunsinger, AARP New Jersey State Director
9:15 am - 10:15 am
A welcome to AARP College 2018, introductions to the entire AARP NJ staff. This session will provide a brief and broad overviews of the 2019 Strategic Priorities of AARP NJ.

Facilitated by Christine Newman, AARP New Jersey 
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
During lunch participants will be asked to share out one of the following 1) Something from AARP College 2018 you implemented 2) A best practice or something you or your volunteer group did in 2018 that was highly successful, innovative, accomplished a goal, or met a need you had.

Facilitated by Christine Newman, AARP New Jersey 
3:30 pm  - 4:00 pm
Join us for closing comments and reflections on AARP College 2018. Participants will be asked to work at their table to identify and report out one of the following: 1) One take-away or best practice from the day that you will bring back to implement 2) Something new, innovative, or that really struck you from the day's events.

 

Leadership Skill Building Session: Dating Into Leadership 

Led by: Cheryl Blackwell and Christine Braccino Co-Leads of the Middlesex Volunteer Team; and Susan Lutz, AARP National Advisor for Volunteer Engagement 

We are passionate about the mission of AARP, but sometimes, we come on too strong to potential volunteers. People need to get to know us and dip their toe in the water when it comes to taking on responsibility. Learn how you can tap the passion of volunteers and provide an easy way for them to engage with AARP New Jersey. You’ll get tips on inviting volunteers into key roles and ideas on how to identify potential leaders within your group.

Breakout Session 1: 10:30 am- 11:30 am 

 

Led by: Douglas Fullman, Statewide Volunteer Tabling Coordinator; Cristina Anastasio, AARP New Jersey Associate State Director of Outreach, and Dianne McGrath, Lead Volunteer on the Bergen Volunteer 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. We will demonstrate an AARP display table and go over the “Do’s” and “Don’ts” to most effectively engage with your community members

Breakout Session 1: 10:30 am- 11:30 am

 

The Financial Basics of Planning for Retirement and Beyond

Led by: Jeanette Yu; Marketing C o-Chair of the AARP NJ Speakers, CLTC  

Retirement is not an end, but only a beginning. Join us to learn the challenges, discuss solutions, and be prepared. This session is ideal for anyone still working who is looking for tips and tools to help plan for retirement. Individuals who have already retired can also learn additional tips and strategies to support their retirement plan.  

Breakout Session 1: 10:30 am- 11:30 am  

 

TEK: Beyond the Basics for Your iPhone

  Led by:  Pam Mayo and Michelle Murphy, Program Leads AARP TEK   

Discover the iPhone’s capabilities. If you are new to mobile technology or in need of a refresher, our introductory course is a great starting point. Learn about: Apps – What they are and how to download them; Medical ID – What it is and how to set it up on your device; and Wallpapers, Shortcuts, Security Settings, and more! ** PLEASE  NOTE** T his session is for Iphones only, if you bring a device other than an Iphone this course will not be relevant for you and the instructors will not be able to assist you.***  

B reak Session 1 : 10:30 am-11:30 am  

 

Advocacy Part 1: Advocating for Fair & Affordable Utility Rates

Led by: Evelyn Liebman, AARP New Jersey Director of Advocacy   

New Jersey families are strapped with some of the highest utility costs in the country. Yet, New Jersey’s utility corporations – and some elected representatives – are proposing over $12 billion in rate hikes for customers like you and me. This workshop will take a deep dive into the utilities campaign and how AARP is fighting back to protect consumers.  

Breakout Session 1: 10:30 am-11:30 am  

 

Advocacy Part 2: Telling Your Story to Advocate for Fair & Affordable Utility Rates  

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 meetings with policy makers. Join us for this advanced training in the art of telling your story in the most compelling way to win fair and affordable utility rates.  

B reakout Session 2 : 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm  

 

The AARP Network of Age Friendly Cities

Led By: Christine Newman and Bridget Quinn of AARP New Jersey     

This session will provide an overview of the AARP Network of Age Friendly Cities, which encourages states, cities, towns and counties to prepare for the rapid aging of the U.S. population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults.  Participants will hear real world examples from the eight NJ cities currently designated as Age Friendly, and will also learn the first steps in planning and organizing an Age Friendly initiative in their own communities.  

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

 

Smart Driver Course: Driving Safer Longer

Led by: Arun K Bhattacharya, NJ State Coordinator and Irwin Horowitz, NJ Deputy State Coordinator  

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 about our CARFIT Program and how you can get involved in your local community as a volunteer. There will also be 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 2: 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm  

 

Fraud Watch Network Basics

Led by: Gladys Williams, AARP NJ Speakers Bureau Volunteer  

This workshop is designed to help empower participants in the fight against fraud with proven resources and tools to help you spot and avoid identity theft and other fraud. Topics include Identity Theft, Cyber Safety, and Investment Scams.  

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

 

Chocolate and Younger Members

Led by:  Mary Beth Dixon , AARP National Advisor for NRTA  

Younger members seek a community and membership experience that provides for more conversation and participation than what organizations have traditionally offered.  Please join us as we examine how to adapt your efforts to be appealing to younger members. While you enjoy a chocolate tasting, we will explore why recruitment and retention feels so challenging.  We will then explore how to design engaging experiences that will result in younger members who join and stay engaged with your chapter, local volunteer team, or organization!  

Break out Session 2 : 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm

 

Advocacy Finale: Simulation – Public Hearing on Utility Rate Increases-  

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

**Prerequisite –Must have completed either Part I or Part 2 to of “Advocating for Fair & Affordable Utility Rates” to participate. Test your new skills in a mock hearing on utility rate increases. Participants will work in teams to simulate various stakeholders in a mock Board of Public Utilities hearing.  

B reakout Session 3 : 2:15 pm- 3:15 pm

 

Tax-Aide Open Session 

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 2019 taxes; with special highlights on how the new tax law will affect NJ residents straight from the course experts! You will also learn how you can get involved with the program in your local community as a volunteer in different roles (Tax counselor, Client Facilitator, Technology Specialist and leaders to fit your interests). You will have plenty of time for Q and A with our state coordinator Bob Sherman and other leaders.

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

 

Chapter Leadership Best Practices

Led by: Lavelle Jones, AARP NJ State President and Bridget Quinn, Senior Program Specialist   

This fast-paced class is for volunteers and chapter leaders who want to know the exciting, wide-range of things our chapters are doing to drive the AARP mission around New Jersey. Some of the practices we will explore are useful in other applications. We will have a select number of presentations from around the state. There will be a Q&A session. Class attendees will receive a comprehensive hand out. ***Please note if registering for this class, you will be asked to provide additional information as pre-work to complete your registration****  

Break out Session 3 : 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm

 

Engaging Multicultural Audiences

Led by: Julie Marte, Associate State Director of Community Outreach AARP New Jersey; and Carmenza Millan, S enior Advisor, AARP Large Region  

New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in the country.  Join us as we highlight AARP’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, learn our key priority populations, and hear about the diversity in our state.  This interactive session will provide discussion and small group exercises to explore challenges and opportunities in working with diverse audiences, plus share tips for multicultural outreach and engagement    

Break out Session 3 : 2:15 pm – 3:15pm

 

Effective Facilitation

Led by:  Susan Lutz , AARP National Advisor for Volunteer Engagement  

Have you ever lost control of your audience while leading a meeting? This workshop 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 and techniques.  

Break out Session 3 : 2:15 pm- 3:15 pm