Rest in Peace

Audrey Kubla

Message from AARP

The letter below concerns future meetings for this year. It was sent to our President Mary Lou Spohn Meyers . She asked me to post it here.

 

A Message to AARP Chapter Leaders from Megan Hookey

Vice President, AARP Office of Volunteer Engagement

 

Dear Chapter Leader:

At AARP, our top priority is the health and well-being of staff, volunteers, members and the community at large. AARP is monitoring developments closely and have taken all precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local public health agencies.

I'm writing with an important message to let you know that AARP has cancelled all in-person AARP events until the end of 2020, including in-person AARP Chapter meetings.

While convening AARP Chapter Meetings is a core part of our mission, we have changed our approach in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The decision to suspend all of AARP’s activities was not an easy one but it is necessary in order to have a consistent brand message and to avoid the potential of any confusion about AARP’s work in communities. Please do not associate your AARP Chapter or AARP’s brand with any meeting or activity until further notice and I will be back in touch with you if AARP’s position on in-person AARP events changes.

AARP recognized that AARP Chapters play an important role in your lives and in your local community, so you should feel free to hold meetings via phone, Skype, or other ways of convening virtually, as allowed in the AARP Chapter Bylaws. The Office of Volunteer Engagement can be a resource for Chapters exploring options to convene virtual meetings. Please contact Sharon Stewart at sbinns@aarp.org, call the Volunteer Helpline at 833-VOL-AARP (865-2277) or email volunteer@aarp.org.

I also hope that you and your Chapter members will take advantage of the information and resources that AARP is providing to help older people and caregivers protect themselves from the virus and prevent its spread. You can find AARP's coronavirus resources at www.aarp.org/coronavirus. We also point you to www.cdc.gov/coronavirus, and your state and local health agency for the latest information. And finally, if you are aware of anyone in your family or community who might be socially isolated and would benefit from a friendly call, please dial this number to request a call from a Friendly Voice volunteer: 888-281-0145 (toll-free.)

I deeply appreciate your role as an AARP Chapter leader, and wish you and your family continued health. AARP will continue to provide information to help you and your loved ones stay safe.

Sincerely,

Megan Hookey