Arizona’s Advocacy Network of volunteers throughout the state is led by a Steering Committee of dedicated people committed to improving the lives of people 50 plus in our state.

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The Arizona Advocacy Steering Committee has about 20 members, several of which have been volunteers with AARP for many years. “It’s a dedicated group of folks,” said Steve Jennings, AARP Arizona Advocacy Director. “And it’s an honor to be a part of their work at the State Capitol as well as on national campaigns involving our office in Washington DC.”

Much of the work involving the Arizona Advocacy Steering Committee is done through “Issue Teams” in which select volunteers are grouped. “We like to put people on teams that work on issues in which they have an interest,” added Jennings. “We have several teams that are concentrating their focus on such issues as the state budget, health care, utilities, economic security and pensions.”

Arizona AARP volunteers also often team up with its sister organization, the All Arizona School Retirees Association (AASRA). AASRA has been working intensively on protecting pensions and several volunteers of the Advocacy Steering Committee are also members of AASRA.

“It’s a great partnership and one that we value at the AARP state office,” said Jennings. “AASRA is part of the National Retired Teachers Association, a group that was established by AARP’s founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus.”

The Arizona Advocacy Steering Committee meets monthly. The issue teams meet by-monthly and work is intensive, especially during the Arizona legislative session.

The 2012 session of the Arizona Legislature begins Jan. 9.

“We’re gearing up for an exciting legislative session and we’re working many issues, especially involving utilities,” Jennings said. “If people would like to volunteer in our AARP Arizona Advocacy Network, they should call the state office toll free at 1-866-389-5649 or email us at azaarp@aarp.org.”

Follow the Arizona Advocacy Steering Committee and AARP Arizona on Facebook.