Volunteers Are Expanding AARP’s Impact and Reach

By Phil Zarlengo, AARP Volunteer Transitions alumni coordinator and former AARP Board chair*

“Our community is the place where we can be most effective.”  Those are the words of AARP founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, and volunteers and staff continue to help make her vision a reality.  At the request of AARP’s CEO, Jo Ann Jenkins, key National Office staff are meeting with every state office to ensure a shared understanding of AARP’s purpose, to “Empower people to choose how they live as they age.”  The visits serve to inspire staff and volunteers to help carryout AARP’s role to be “Everyday innovators in aging.” The state conversations also reinforce AARP’s values: Impact, Innovation, Humanity, Empowerment and Honesty. Most importantly, states are highlighting how their staff and community-based volunteer teams are delivering on AARP’s social impact agenda around Health Security, Financial Resilience and Personal Fulfillment.

A deeper look into the work of each state office reveals that a whopping 65% of AARP’s state and community events are volunteer-led!  It is exciting to see AARP’s strides in tapping into the skills and energy of its committed volunteers to help expand the reach of our resources in local communities.  Meaningful volunteer input is also helping shape the 2019 state plans through state-by-state “strategic thinking discussions” about AARP’s priority areas and the unique needs and opportunities within a state.

*Phil also served previously as the AARP Rhode Island State President and continues today as a member of  AARP RI’s Executive Council and State Legislative Committee.