Board Application Criteria

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Please follow these 5 steps to complete your application online: 

* If you wish to print the application and mail it in, please use the following link: 
Application (Word).

Step 1:  Review the candidate criteria
Step 2:  Fill out the online form
Step 3:  Click the Print & Review button to review entries and print for your records
Step 4:  Make final edits and click the Submit Application button to submit application
Step 5:  Print the Confirmation page for your records

STEP 1: Review the Candidate Criteria

The following criteria will be carefully considered by AARP's National Nominating Committee.

1. Commitment to AARP’s Goals: Applicants should be aware of AARP’s rich history of service through volunteerism, partnerships, and teamwork. These principles are outlined in AARP’s Strategic Plan (165K in PDF format, free Adobe Reader required) and are implemented nationally and internationally through a broad array of advocacy work, education, and consumer activities, and services and benefits to its 40 million members, their families, and all persons 50+.

2. Governance and Leadership Skills and Abilities: Applicants should have extensive high-level decision-making and leadership experience on relevant non-profit or for-profit governing boards. Candidates also should have skills in policy development, setting strategic direction, monitoring organizational effectiveness, overseeing a multi-million dollar budget, and determining critical legislative and/or other programmatic policies.

3. Knowledge and Experience: Applicants should have a blend of knowledge and experience to complement the current Board in such activities as public policy, programs and services, membership development and benefits; volunteerism; information technology and web based communications; business and finance, as well as marketing and branding strategies.

4. Ability to Represent AARP to the Public: Applicants must have demonstrated the ability to be good communicators with diverse audiences such as the general public, media, professional audiences, law-makers, and government officials.

5. Time Commitment: Applicants should be aware that Board members are expected to travel and participate in Board meetings, committee meetings and other events throughout the country.  As a working “mission-driven” Board, members can expect to be busy at least 45 days per year with many Board members spending more time.  While this is an unpaid  position, all travel and subsistence expenses in connection with AARP work will be reimbursed by the Association.

AARP BOARD OF DIRECTORS STRUCTURE AND DUTIES

The AARP Board of Directors is responsible for setting the policy and agenda of the Association. The Board is comprised of 21-23 members divided into three classes of 7 members each. Board officers include a Chair, Vice Chair, and a Secretary/ Treasurer. Other elected officers are the AARP National President and President-elect. The Board governs on behalf of the members and assures appropriate organizational performance which includes fulfilling the mission of the organization, determining its future direction, and assuring the organization’s fiscal health. 

The Board meets five times a year usually in Washington, DC. In addition to Board meetings, members are expected to serve on one or two other advisory groups, attend an annual retreat, and participate in one national conference as well as other activities as determined. Some of the major responsibilities of the AARP Board are:

Setting strategic direction and public policy:

• Develop and implement governance policies;
• Determine the national legislative policy agenda for the Association on such issues as Medicare, Social Security, livable communities, and consumer protection;
• Set policy that guides the Association's strategic plans and activities, its publications, and the development of member benefits and service programs and activities.

Assuring sufficient financial and human resources to carry out strategic
direction and policy:

• Approve a multi-million dollar budget and monitor finances of the Association
• Monitor policies that govern thousands of volunteers and 2,200 staff nationwide.

Overseeing, monitoring and ensuring accountability:

• Assure that there is a linkage between the organization and the membership;
• Approve and monitor member services and programs for approximately 40 million members;
• Evaluate the performance of the Chief Executive Officer.

Serving as spokesperson in representing the Association and its positions:

• Clearly and accurately articulate the Association’s public policies to lawmakers, policymakers, opinion leaders, members and the general public.

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