A new Black Community page on AARP.org
featured information on health, economic
security, volunteerism and entertainment. It
served as a companion to the multimedia content
anchored by AARP Segunda Juventud.
In June, we marked the 40th anniversary of
the Stonewall Riots with a dynamic Web-based
multimedia package that traced the evolution of
the gay-rights movement from its galvanizing
uprising in New York City in 1969 through
today. Video and radio interviews and articles
captured participants’ dedication to overcoming
entrenched prejudice so that all can live an
authentic life.
AARP seeks to attract a membership as diverse
as America itself—and a workforce with the
diversity, talent, abilities and life experiences
to serve them. As an employer, AARP was
recognized by Diversity Inc. magazine. We were
included on its 2009 list of the Top 50 Companies
for Diversity (#37), as well as its Top 10
Companies for Executive Women (#8) and Top
10 Companies for African Americans (#8).
Membership Trends
For the first time in six years, AARP membership
dues rose from $12 to $16 annually. Still a
bargain, this new level helped us cover increased
costs for postage, paper, printing and many other
operating costs.
Events
More than 24,000 members flocked to our annual
event, Vegas@50+, in October. Participants
enjoyed celebrity speakers, informative sessions,
concerts by Gloria Estefan and Faith Hill, a
Movies for Grownups film festival and a jam-packed exhibit hall. The event also raised
charitable contributions in support of the new
Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain
Health in Las Vegas. In 2010, we will head to
Florida for Orlando@50+ from September 30 –
October 2.
Similar but smaller events called AARP Life
Festivals were held in San Antonio in May and in
Chicago in June.
One of the new titles from AARP Books/Sterling is
Expressive Drawing: A Practical Guide to Freeing the
Artist Within.
Boomers and Technology
To boomers, technology is contagious. After
all, the 50+ set pushed the evolution from LP
to CD to MP3, from snail mail to email and
from local banks to ATMs. Through an unusual
collaboration between AARP and Microsoft
in 2009, AARP members in four cities met
with author and futurist Michael Rogers over
dinner to discuss what they liked and disliked
about technology. The summary report, which
captured their perspectives, may inspire high-
tech designers and engineers to improve future
software and electronics.
Dynamic Communications
AARP members are savvy, smart people. To
help them get the most out of life, we enhanced
the way we provided news, information and
entertainment.
Members in the 20 states with the largest number
of AARP members began receiving a full page
of state-specific news in the AARP Bulletin five
times a year. Residents of other states continued
receiving regional news coverage. Online
coverage posted on AARP Bulletin Today enabled
us to cover breaking news and to provide feature
coverage, often with photos and video.
