Help Advocate on Behalf of Older Oklahomans

As a member of AARP Oklahoma’s Executive Council, Jeff Miller is always on the lookout for new volunteers — at local gatherings, at small networking events, even within his own 55-plus residential community.

The 68-year-old Tulsa resident volunteers his time giving fraud prevention talks for AARP and serving on the volunteer council, which helps chart AARP Oklahoma’s priorities as it advocates on behalf of the Sooner State’s 50-plus residents.

“In the end, it’s all about helping people,” Miller says. “That’s what keeps me involved.”

AARP Oklahoma is encouraging current AARP volunteers — and those interested in joining their ranks — to participate in Senior Day at the Capitol on Monday, March 30. The event — which is hosted by the nonprofit Oklahoma Alliance on Aging — is a chance for volunteers to meet in person with their lawmakers to discuss issues important to older adults.

“We need real people to come out and express their concerns,” Miller says — particularly with respect to utility bills. “We don’t want people to make a choice between buying food or medicine and keeping their lights on.”

Joy McGill, AARP Oklahoma’s advocacy director, says priorities for 2026 include strengthening financial security, fraud prevention and home- and community-based services for older adults. The legislative session begins Feb. 2.

“Volunteer advocates are the face of AARP,” McGill says. “They’re an extension of the work we do as a staff. There are no better ambassadors for the work we do.”

Volunteers talk one-on-one with lawmakers, help influence public policy through community education and represent AARP Oklahoma’s positions at events, among other roles. Not all lobbying happens in person. AARP members also make their voices heard on key issues via phone calls and emails.

AARP provides training. To learn more about becoming a volunteer advocate or joining Senior Day at the Capitol, go to aarp.org/OKAction, or send an email to okaarp@aarp.org.