Gordon Cohen: October Volunteer of the Month

Retiring after 41 years as a research and development chemist at DuPont specializing in polymers, Gordon Cohen wanted to give back to the community.

“I didn’t have time to volunteer when I was working,” said Gordon, who joined AARP in 2022. “When I was looking for volunteer opportunities, AARP stood out. It’s a good organization, successful and very influential.”

He began his AARP journey by attending a virtual meeting as a potential volunteer. As that meeting went on, Gordon learned there were opportunities that he felt played on his strengths, such as technology, advocacy, and public speaking.

As a result of a brief period with the national AARP tech team doing Zoom training, he developed a 4-session, in-person, hands-on Zoom training course for local AARP members, suggested by Yocasta Lora, AARP associate state director of advocacy and community engagement for southeast Pennsylvania. Because of this experience with tech training, Yocasta suggested that he become a portal champion, to teach volunteers how to access and use the AARP Volunteer Portal and provide them with ongoing assistance. Gordon developed a course on the portal, including login, expense reimbursements and other Portal functions. He and volunteer Linda Bunk, also a portal champion, provide alternating virtual and in-person training sessions.

Gordon is on the local advocacy team that hopes to establish a relationship with Philadelphia City Council. As part of local advocacy strategy, Gordon has read and summarized bills written by Philadelphia city council members involving issues of concern to seniors, to help Yocasta determine if they might be supported by AARP.

There is no doubt that Gordon is proud to represent AARP as a volunteer.

“The organization does so much for seniors and serves as the premier advocate for our issues.”

To learn more about volunteering with AARP Pennsylvania, visit aarp.org/iwant2volunteer.