AARP Online Community: AARPAL - My Journals & Blogs

AARP.org Features 10 Financial Calculators

Do you look closely at where your income goes each month, or what you need to save for the years ahead? New interactive tools help AARP.org visitors manage their money and plan for the future; use them to estimate home mortgage interest or college savings, retirement income and social security benefits, or your personal budget. To use these planning and saving tools, or to learn more about protecting your financial future, visit

http://www.aarp.org/money

Added: September 17, 2008
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Learn to Protect Your Finances at Investor's University

AARP and the Alabama Securities Commission are holding an “Investor’s University” series this fall. The free financial planning and protection workshops are open to the public and lunch is provided. Reservations are required, and seating is limited, so for more information or to register, call 1-866-542-8167.

All of the events are 10:30 a.m. -1 p.m., with registration beginning at 10 a.m.

October 15

Florence

Shoals Chamber of Commerce

20 Highway Place

Florence, Alabama 35630

(256) 746-4661

October 22

Millbrook

Oak and Ivy Dreams

5121 Main Street

Millbrook, Alabama 36054

Added: September 11, 2008
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2008 River Region Successful Aging Initiative

Americans are living longer, and AARP Alabama wants you to get the most out of every day. To learn more about living life to the fullest, attend the 2008 River Region Successful Aging Initiative 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, August 21, 2008, at Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church, 6000 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery. Health screenings will be offered, along with workshops and sessions on looking better and feeling better. A continental breakfast and lunch will also be provided. The public is invited and all events are free, but registration is required before August 14. Learn more or register by calling 1-877-926-8300.

Added: July 22, 2008
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AARP Alabama Seeking Executive Council Volunteers

AARP Alabama is looking for volunteers to join our leadership team, the AARP Alabama Executive Council. We are seeking strategic thinkers to chart a course for reaching the AARP vision of a society in which everyone ages with dignity and purpose and in which AARP helps people fulfill their goals and dreams.

Consider the following:

Are you someone who thinks strategically and sees the “big picture”?
Are you a good verbal and written communicator?
Do you enjoy challenges and working with people?
Can you envision yourself inspiring and leading volunteers?
Do you believe that positive change starts with you?

If so, we encourage you to apply.

As a member of the Executive Council, you would help shape the future of AARP Alabama. You would be a member of a great team of people and you would make a real difference in your community.

The following is a written position description for Executive Council Members including qualifications. If you are interested in helping us enhance the experience of aging in Alabama, please call us toll-free at 866-542-8167 for an application and return it by August 15, 2008.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL VOLUNTEERS

(ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH)

“AARP believes that volunteer service is a unique and valuable contribution which benefits both the volunteer and society…”

AARP Alabama, the state office of the 39-million strong national membership organization for people 50+, seeks leadership volunteers with expertise in two key areas to join its Executive Council:

· Advocacy for social issues and programs

· Outreach to local community groups

Position Functions

AARP Alabama Executive Council members provide the overall strategic thinking to achieve AARP’s mission in the state and improve the experience of aging not only for members but for all Alabama residents.

Responsibilities

Participate in setting annual priorities and choosing among opportunities to benefit not only our 511,000 AARP members in the state, but their families and neighborhoods as well.
Seek volunteer input on a continuing basis; inspire and motivate volunteers
Communicate national and state policy updates to volunteers in the areas for which they are responsible
Serve as a liaison between AARP Alabama and the chapters, driver safety and tax aide programs.

Qualifications

· Alabama Resident

· Commitment to the goals and priorities of AARP

· Thorough knowledge Alabama issues, needs, and activities

· Demonstrated past volunteer or professional leadership. This can include leadership in community groups, government advisory bodies such as Neighborhood Advisory Commissions, fraternal or religious organizations, social welfare organizations, trade associations, etc.

· Ability to work well with diverse populations

· Eligible for membership or associate membership in AARP

· Accessible via email

Term of Service and Length of Service

Appointed for a two (2) year term with option by supervisor to renew twice not to exceed six (6) years.

Training Required

· Orientation to AARP.

· Other skills training and issue briefings as necessary.

Travel Required

Travel as necessary throughout the state or to designated meetings or trainings outside of the state.

Appointed By

AARP Alabama President

Supervisor

AARP Alabama President

Scope of Authority

Determined by AARP Alabama President and AARP Alabama State Office Director

Available Resources

AARP will provide volunteer travel accident insurance and commercial general liability insurance while performing volunteer responsibilities. Expenses may be reimbursed in accordance with existing AARP policies.

It is the policy of the Association that all AARP volunteers will receive equal opportunity and treatment throughout recruitment, appointment, training, and service. There will be no discrimination based on age, economic status, sex, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental abilities, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion.

Added: July 14, 2008
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$10,000 Legacy Award Funds Phenix City Park Splash Pad

Very soon, able-bodied and physically challenged children in Phenix City, Ala. will beat the Alabama heat in a “Splash Pad,” thanks to a group of Central High School students who were awarded the Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Award recently.

The celebration was held at “Friendship Park,” a park built by the same high school students, and which will be expanded to include the water attraction.

The idea for a park was born during the 2006-2007 school year as an outgrowth of the “Get Fit Phenix City” Project. The students organized their own group, titled “Project Promise,” their promise being to work to ensure Phenix City-area children the opportunities that all children deserve, whether able-bodied and disabled.

Through “Project Promise,” they raised the funds for playground equipment; did most of the construction themselves; and have maintained the equipment and grounds. Students were even responsible for writing grant applications, several of which were successful.

After the playground was complete, the students decided to expand the park to include the splash pad, but after two years of fund raising, they were still almost $10,000 short. According to the faculty sponsor, they had solicited funds from almost everyone in town, some several times.

They had almost given up when they applied to AARP for the Legacy Award.

The $10,000 allowed them to meet their goal, and equipment has been ordered and will be delivered soon. Phenix City is a small town, and before Friendship Park was constructed, no facility included equipment that could be used by all students with all levels of physical abilities. This new park can make a real difference, and area residents and elected officials attended the celebration to show their support and appreciation.

The city’s mayor spoke to the group and congratulated the students, saying the city had planned to build a splash pad, but the students had beaten them to it. The area’s state senator sent staff to represent him, and many of the county’s school board members were on hand. Also, three local television stations taped the ceremony, and interviewed Alabama representatives Ray Warren State President, and ASD for Advocacy Conwell Hooper.

Added: July 1, 2008
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AARP is Part of Alabama's Nursing Education Capacity Summit Team

AARP has been selected as a member of Alabama’s team for the upcoming Nursing Education Capacity Summit in June in Arlington, Va. The summit will bring together teams from 17 states to explore strategies to increase nursing education capacity in four areas: partnerships and resource realignment; policy and regulation; increased faculty capacity and diversity; and education redesign. Of the 17 state teams, only Florida and Alabama will include AARP representatives.

“We’re delighted to be invited to this table,” says Joan Carter, AARP’s state director. “This initiative gives AARP an opportunity to help shape the future as well as increase our effectiveness in several of our projects, particularly workforce development, automatic 401(k) participation and DWF issues such as enhancing the financial security and health care for our members.”

According to Bill Hawkins, associate state director for advocacy outreach, AARP’s involvement with the summit team is a continuation of healthcare workforce activity that began earlier this year, and that will continue for several years.

“In April, we partnered with UAB to address findings of a recent Institutes of Medicine report, “Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce,” which brought to light the crisis we could be facing in the healthcare industry.

“We recognize the impact a shortage of healthcare workers could have on our state, both to individuals and to our state’s economy, and we plan to continue working with industry leaders and policy makers to find a solution,” Hawkins said.

The June summit is sponsored by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration; the Center to Champion Nursing in American and the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration.

Added: July 1, 2008
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AARP Holds Congressional Candidate Forums

AARP Alabama, WSFA-12 News, Troy University and NFIB Sponsor Congressional Forums

After eight terms in Congress, Terry Everett, R-Rehobeth, is retiring, leaving a vacant seat and one of the most hotly contested political races in Alabama this year. Everett represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District, which encompasses the counties of Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lowndes and part of Montgomery.

To help voters make an informed decision before going to the polls, AARP Alabama, WSFA-12 News in Montgomery, Troy University and the National Federation of Independent Business are sponsoring a series of candidate forums. The first will be broadcast live on WSFA, and the second and third, in Troy and in Dothan, will be open to the public.

For information about the forums, call AARP Alabama at 866-542-8167. To submit a question for the candidates, e-mail alaarp@aarp.org.

7-8 p.m., Friday, April 18

WSFA Live Televised Forum

1:30-3:30 p.m., Monday, April 21

Troy University, Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor

601 University Ave., Troy

10 a.m.- 12 p.m., Tuesday, April 29

Troy University at Dothan Sony Hall

502 University Drive, Dothan

Added: April 8, 2008
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AARP Alabama Accepting Andrus Award Nominations

AARP SEEKS “ANDRUS AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE” NOMINEES

Annual Award Recognizes Those Who Make a

Powerful Difference in their Community

AARP Alabama is seeking nominations for its 2008 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors those individuals who are sharing their experience, talent and skills to enrich the lives of their community members.

“Volunteerism is clearly a new way of looking at retirement for older Americans. Many are finding that they want to remain active and involved and that volunteerism fulfills this need and the desire to help others,” said AARP Alabama State President Ray Warren. “Through this recognition, AARP encourages members and prospective members to use their skills and assistance as a way to remain vital as well as make a difference in their community.”

The screening of nominees will be performed by a local committee and involves a range of criteria, including positive impact on the lives of individuals age 50 and over, improvement of the community in or for which the work was performed, and inspiration of others to volunteer. The award recipient will be announced on or about September 1, 2008.

AARP Andrus Award for Community Service nominees must meet the following eligibility requirements:

· Nominees must be current AARP volunteers or AARP members; or must have been AARP volunteers or members during 2007.

· The accomplishments, achievements or service on which the nomination is based must include the year 2007, but it need not be exclusive to 2007.

· Couples or partners who perform service together are also eligible, however teams are not eligible.

· The accomplishments, achievements, or service on which the nomination is based must have been performed on a volunteer basis, without pay.

· The accomplishments, achievements or service on which the nomination is based must reflect AARP’s priority issues of Health, Livable Communities and/or Economic Security.

Please contact Melissa Monte at 866-542-8167 for further information and a nomination form. The application deadline is June 2, 2008.

The AARP Andrus Award for Community Service is an annual awards program developed to honor individuals whose service is a unique and valuable contribution to society. Last year, AARP recognized 53 outstanding individuals from around the country.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Added: March 10, 2008
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AARP Alabama Speaks to Chiefs of Police

Recently, AARP Alabama staffers spoke to a gathering of more than 350 Chiefs of Police, law enforcement educators, FBI Special Agents and Deputy U.S. Marshals about Divided We Fail and about AARP’s financial security programs.

The group was attending the bi-annual meeting of the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP). The meetings are held to provide the group’s more than 500 law enforcement executive members with state-of- the-art training, continuing education, legislative support and other services.

According to Associate State Director for Community Outreach Deidra Lemons, DWF was a natural fit. “Law enforcement personnel from around the state told us they’re worried about long-term financial security, and about having access to affordable, quality health care for all officers and their families.

“These brave men and women know they could be put in harm’s way on every shift. So, while it’s important for everyone to think about and plan for the future, these officers are probably forced to think about it more often than most,” Lemons said.

During the same meeting, Associate State Director for Advocacy Outreach Bill Hawkins talked about automatic 401k withdrawal programs, and about AARP’s work to protect Alabamians from identity theft.

“The response was great. This group understands the need for education to prevent ID theft, and we walked away with several potential collaborators,” Hawkins said.

After the DWF presentation, Lemons said she was approached by officers who signed pledge cards, and took extras for officers in their departments.

Added: March 10, 2008
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Alabama Co-Sponsors Senior Expo in Scottsboro

AARP Alabama last week distributed more than 750 Divided We Fail Pledges, spoke live to thousands about DWF during a radio remote; and had the mayor sign the DWF pledge during the Senior Expo in Scottsboro, Ala.

The event, in its second year, targeted people age 50-plus, and was designed to acquaint them with the facilities and services available to help enhance their lives, according to AARP Alabama Associate State Director for Advocacy Outreach Bill Hawkins.

"While most of these resources are available to them on a day-to-day basis, this event is the only time each year they can access all of these organizations and services in one place and in one day.

“AARP's focus was Divided We Fail. We not only want them to know about DWF, we want them to take that knowledge to the polls, so we were also encouraging them to vote," Hawkins said.

Hawkins also spoke with the group about AARP’s financial security workshops, and a free shredder event encouraged consumer protection.

More than 60 exhibitors – from commercial and non-profit health organizations; police and fire departments; churches; financial institutions; and a number of other businesses and community organizations- provided information and gifts during the day-long event.

Hawkins said the event, which was co-sponsored by AARP's Jackson County Chapter and the Jackson County Council on Aging, was a great example of AARP’s ability to touch the lives of older Alabamians.

“The Expo was held on a snowy and unusually cold day, especially by Alabama standards, in a somewhat rural area. But, by working with community leaders and partnering with other agencies, we had a turnout comparable to that of large cities. That’s the power of what we do,” he said.

Added: March 10, 2008
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My Journals (11)