AARP Missouri Posts Videos on YouTube

Volunteer James Gilbert works with AARP staff member Diane Hall while filming the first episode of AARP Missouri's YouTube series. — Ryan Nicholson/Wonderful Machine

With millions of videos, YouTube has something for everyone. But finding useful information in that online storehouse of short video clips can be daunting.

To help its members discover "news they can use," AARP Missouri has created a shortcut with its own channel on YouTube. Visitors can view videos on topics ranging from the best ways to find fulfilling volunteer opportunities to how to sign up for a driver safety class.

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"Our goal with each video is to make viewers aware of an issue that they didn't know we deal with," said Craig Eichelman, AARP Missouri state director.

One video in what they're calling the "Connections" series includes an invitation for people to join the AARP volunteer family.

"If you have a special talent for public speaking," host James Gilbert says, "you are ripe for joining Speak Out!, the AARP Missouri speakers bureau."

In another video, Gilbert shares tips from the AARP driver safety classes, such as being mindful of medications that may cause sleepiness behind the wheel.

AARP has long relied on publications, email and town-hall meetings to communicate with members. As social networking outlets such as Facebook and YouTube have grown in popularity, AARP increasingly has added those communication tools to its tried-and-true methods. The videos on YouTube can be viewed by anyone who has access to a computer.

"Research has shown that people — especially women 54 and older — are using more social media," Eichelman said. "We want to tap into that" to reach the state's 750,000 AARP members.

Nationally, seven of 10 adults between the ages of 50 and 64 use the Internet (PDF), according to a report last year from the Pew Research Center.

The first videos are narrated by Gilbert, a Kansas City musician with an engaging speaking voice.

"I've always loved what AARP has stood for," said Gilbert, 48, who volunteered his time and talent for the debut videos.

"We really see this as a unique way to communicate issues affecting the lives of our members," Eichelman said.

AARP Missouri is already utilizing the popular online social media platforms of Facebook and Twitter to have conversations with members. It sends a version of its newsletter via email. Now AARP members are able to see informative videos with a click of the computer mouse.

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