The ROOST - The Place for All Things Volunteer

AARP Friendly Voice Center Program was established in April 2023 emphasizing volunteer engagement and community support. The volunteers are vetted for the program and selected after a two-week mentorship period with one of our Friendly Voice leadership team members. There are English/Spanish speaking volunteers and scripts that provide a list of conversation starters, i.e., hobbies, travel, work,...

Judee Barone, Co-Lead for the Roost News Podcast conducts a News Brief interview with Mark Fetterhoff, Senior Advisor of the Fraud Helpline. Mark provides the top ten scams that the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline has received in the first quarter of 2025.

Roost News Team member, Doretha McCoy interviews Antoine Cook | AARP California Associate Director, Advocacy & Community Engagement, Volunteer Patricia Smith and Volunteer, Rey Neal on the L.A. Steppers Walking Group which incorporates Healthy Living, Livable Community, and lots of fun with partnerships from various community resources. They discuss this program being their longest running pro...

This podcast covers the cities of Medford and Eugene, Oregon. The various programs in Eugene, Oregon are highlighted as volunteers partner with their Oregon Staff Partner, Carmel Synder. This podcast also covers the partnership with the AARP Oregon State Office and the St. Mark Christian Methodist Episcopal Church St. in Eugene, Oregon. They have collaboration and partnership opportunities for com...

Ms. Michelle Becote-Jackson shares accomplishments for (OVE) Office of Volunteer Engagement in 2024 and focus areas for 2025. She thanks volunteers for working closely with staff partners to put multiple programs into action under the Office of Volunteer Engagement.

PROGRAM CONCEPT: AARP Liaison for Caregiving InitiativesProgram OverviewThe AARP Liaison for Caregiving Initiatives program “Care Connectors” aims to build a robust network of volunteers who serve as essential connectors between AARP’s National Office, State Offices, and their local community. These volunteers will play a key role in supporting family caregivers through resource dissemination, pro...

"Walk with an Eagle" Darrin Wasniewski, ASD Wisconsin, Dr. Jenn Taylor, UW Professor and Susan "Boon" Murray share the University of Wisconsin's partnership with AARP Wisconsin. This program incorporates areas of Disrupt Aging, Walkability, and Livabililty for seniors participating in the program. Program Overview Join Walk with an Eagle: Connect, move, and thrive with us w...

Nancy LeaMond, Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer and Executive Vice-President at AARP shares information on successes of her Federal Advocacy work in 2024 and the 2025 Advocacy focus areas. Ms. LeaMond thanks staff and volunteers for their local advocacy work. She also shares her insight on the new AARP CEO, Dr. Minter-Jordan.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is discussed in this podcast. Jennifer Baier, AARP Associate Outreach Director, WY and Stella Montano, AARP WY State President share valuable information for staff and volunteers on using AI based on AARP (AI) Generative Policy. They provide concrete examples for staff and volunteers to use AI within the AARP guidelines, as well as examples of using AI personally.

"SECURING OUR FUTURE: A SOCIAL SECURITY LUNCH & LEARN" A Tri-State Initiative (Iowa, Nebraska, & South Dakota) The ASD Communication Staff for Iowa-Alissa Brammer, Nebraska-Jess Kinser, and South Dakota-Mary Michaels held a forum to address the issue of protecting and saving Social Security. Attendees listened to different perspectives and asked questions about the future of Social Securit...

AARP Digital Fraud Fighters Program Jessica Prell, AARP Advisor Fraud Prevention Programs and Joyce Williams, AARP Virginia State President share valuable provide information about the AARP Fraud Fighters Program. Fraud information is shared using the Sprout Social media app. Volunteers and staff receive information through a private Sprout Social App. Pertinent articles which address common scams...

Developed by AAA, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) partnership, CarFit’s trained professionals take mature drivers through a 12-point checklist with their vehicle, recommending minor adjustments that help make their cars “fit” better for comfort and safety. An occupational therapist is also on hand to provide information to mature drivers on how to maintain and strengt...

Associate State Director for Outreach, Alf Anderson and Digital Equity Lead, Amy Davidoff share their story on a Digital Equity Initiative in Augusta, Maine, Discussion includes information on Broadband and working with partners in your community.

AARP Alaska State President Teresa Holt and Lead Volunteer, Linda Kruger share the process to conduct the AARP Walk Audit, successes and areas to expand for an AARP Walk Audit.

Arkansas Associate State Director, Community Outreach and Engagement Director, Patricia Fry and Volunteer, Brenda Tenner share their story. They had a Party at the Park for the community to hear about the exciting opportunities available as an AARP Arkansas volunteer. Some of the activities available: • Free food from Kona Ice and local food trucks. • Fun and games, including Bingo, Pickleball, ba...

Addison Pollock, AARP Indiana, Director of Community Outreach and Sr. Jane McClure, Major Gifts Officer, Habitat for Humanity of Evansville, Indiana, share their partnership story with AARP Roost Team member Nancy McCammon Hanson. This partnership supports areas of housing affordability, Livable Communities, and Caregiving. This is an excellent partnership for volunteer engagement.

Nancy Anderson, AARP Montana's Outreach Director/Volunteer Program Manager, shares information on how Montana addresses the inclusion of volunteers in rural areas. She shares their innovative approach to empowering volunteers to be Community Ambassadors.

PART 2: Ending remarks by Roost News Team Member Suzan DeCamp to AARP Staff and AARP Volunteers.

PART 1: Jen Beam, Director, Advocacy, Social & Digital Marketing/Integrated Campaigns and Amanda Knowles, Senior Director, Social Media and Content Integration share what their departments cover on AARP Social Media.

AARP Volunteers and Roost News Team members discuss AARP Disrupt Aging. Constance Harris and Louise Gallagher are trained presenters for the AARP Disrupt Aging Program. They share valuable information covered in this Intergenerational Program with College Students.

This podcast provides information on the AARP Florida Veterans' Forum. Guests are Jill Auld, Associate State Director – Outreach & Engagement, AARP Florida, Bob Bush Bob Busch, Volunteer, AARP FL Veterans' Forum, and Tye Hausheer, AARP FL Veterans' Forum.

Mike Olender, State Director – AARP NC, Audrey Galloway, Manager, Outreach, AARP NC, Helen Mack, State President, Executive Council, AARP NC, and Pat Battle, AARP NC Executive Council, Charlotte Region share how to have a successful AARP University with staff and volunteers. Contact Mike at the AARP NC State Office if you want more information.

"Livable Communities provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to thrive." This podcast provides information on AARP Livable Communities, AARP Age Friendly Networks, and AARP Challenge Grants. Listen for information on how your community can become an AARP Livable Community and the many resources available to AARP staff, AARP volunteers, and the community. Guest speakers...

Volunteer Lead, Janice Alpern, AARP Nevada Staff liaison for the movie club, Mary Rodriguez, Business Operations Analyst, and Mary Richard, volunteer, Meeting Logistics Coordinator for Cinemaniacs join Roost News Team Co-Lead, Lillian S. Lee to share about the AARP Cinemaniacs Movie Club, Nevada. Their Mission Statement: “To offer our members a diversity of thought-provoking films intended to stim...

Grand Connections is a fairly new program. It pairs students and older adults through mentoring programs and provides opportunity to interact with students in the GVSU SAGE (Students for Aging and Gerontology Enrichment). There is an interaction between older and younger adults through participation in Intergenerational Circles. The Grand Connections Program strives to provide a platform to bridge...