AARP College Empowers Michigan Volunteers

Source: AARP.org | June 14, 2005

More than 180 attend two-day session in northern lower Michigan

AARP Michigan held the first-ever AARP College to great acclaim at Shanty Creek resort in northern lower Michigan May 21-22.

More than 180 volunteers, guests and staff attended the two-day event, which offered a variety of classes on AARP issues and resources designed to empower volunteers by giving them the information and tools they need to be most effective.

The 18 classes, offered in multiple concurrent sessions, included issue learning seminars (e.g., Medicare 101), issue briefings (Rx Affordability), leadership seminars (Staff/Volunteer Partnerships) and skill-building seminars (How to Talk to the Media).

AARP College also gave volunteers from every corner of Michigan and in every volunteer capacity, the opportunity to meet one another and AARP staff, and to exchange views on how together we can assure AARP's power to make it better in the Great Lakes State.

Inspirational speakers addressed the gathering, including AARP Chief People Officer Ellie Hollander and Director of State Operations Lee White.

Karen Key, director of Volunteer Alliances and Special Projects, provided a highlight when she "channeled" Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus in a moving performance before a luncheon audience. Lillian Kumata, AARP Michigan Executive Volunteer for Community Service, and Karen Kafantaris, Associate State Director for Community Service, spoke about AARP opportunities for and commitment to community service. Other staff and leading volunteers from across the nation helped assure the event's success.

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