Your Perspective on AARP’s Volunteer Experience

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

What motivates a person to volunteer for AARP?  How satisfied and engaged are they?  These questions are answered, in part, through the Volunteer Opinion Survey (VOS) – an annual tracking survey of volunteers working with Tax-Aide, State Offices and/or Driver Safety.  I participated in these surveys and suspect you have done so as well.

Data from the VOS helps inform recruitment and retention efforts, and 2018 findings are now available. From a demographic standpoint, women account for 65% of AARP’s state volunteer corps and the number of multicultural volunteers continues to grow with 25% African-American/Black and 7% Hispanic/Latino and 6% Asian American-Pacific Islander/Multi-Race individuals working on AARP’s social mission priorities.

The data also provides a sense of the personal attributes and opinions of volunteers.  Twenty-two percent of state volunteers are employed in a full or part-time capacity; meanwhile, state volunteers on average gave 111 hours of service during the year.  Across all of AARP programs, survey respondents said they most enjoy volunteering because they are “making a difference in people’s lives.”  Over three-quarters of state volunteers rate AARP as “above average” or “one of the best” organizations for which they have volunteered and 78% plan to continue volunteering with AARP in the next year.

While the survey offers significant positive feedback, it is important to look at opportunities for improvement. AARP’s Office of Volunteer Engagement wants to hear from volunteer alumni about volunteering at AARP.  What advice do you have for improving the volunteer experience at AARP?  What other volunteer organizations are “doing it right?” Please share your thoughts by emailing volunteer@aarp.org.  Your voice and perspective is very important to AARP.

 

*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.