AARP Wyoming Volunteer Summit: What’s Next?

This year’s annual AARP Wyoming Volunteer Summit was an incredible experience, thanks to our amazing volunteer leaders who came ready to connect, learn, and engage. Held at Ucross Ranch in Johnson County, our summit brought staff and volunteers together in a setting that was as inspiring as it was impactful. From sessions focused on caregiving and fraud prevention to immersive activities around the good and the bad of artificial intelligence, we created a space where volunteers could gain valuable insights and explore new ways to engage their communities.

One of the moments that stood out most to me was seeing our volunteers continuing to evolve in their use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Small teams armed with iPads went to town, working with ChatGPT to generate new ideas for next year. The excitement was contagious, and the sessions fostered such creativity. The ideas we gathered have already been drafted in our plans for 2025, including a new Fraud Prevention Movie Festival, having floats in local parades, and more.

The feedback we received confirmed the summit’s success, with every survey giving it five stars overall and a 9.47 rating out of 10 for new knowledge gained. Many shared that they connected deeply with others, and appreciated the peaceful yet energizing environment of Ucross Ranch. The rustic charm, mountain views, and the chance to get outdoors added something special. The campfire songs, horseback riding, and the time spent simply enjoying the ranch’s natural beauty with volunteers-turned-friends created a unique experience.

As we start looking ahead to next year, many of our volunteers have suggested hosting the summit in other parts of Wyoming. With so many incredible areas across our state, this is an exciting opportunity to explore and involve more communities.

We'd love to hear from you if you have a suggestion for where we should gather in September 2025. This is more than just choosing a location; it’s about finding a place to bring out the best in us, just as Ucross Ranch did this year. I’d love to talk with you further if you're also interested in volunteering with AARP Wyoming. Reach out to me at jbaier@aarp.org

Let’s make 2025 another unforgettable year.