Livable Communities Volunteer - Arlington - AARP Virginia

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AARP Virginia is currently working with numerous communities to respond favorably to changing demographics by establishing plans and policies that enable communities to be more livable for persons of all ages. We are looking to engage individuals of all ages as Livable Communities Volunteers to create an inter-generational team that will assist these localities as they advance their action plans. Experience in Urban Planning, Community Development, City/County Management, or other fields related to livable communities is not required, but will certainly be helpful to this role. Currently, AARP Virginia is collaborating with eight localities: the cities of Alexandria, Arlington, Charlottesville, Roanoke, and Virginia Beach, and the counties of Albemarle, Grayson, and Hanover.

Our Livable Communities Volunteers will be assigned to join existing community leaders and advocates as active partners related to livable community planning. Probable activities include: survey development and analysis, walkability audits, advice on funding, data entry, and focus group opportunities, among other essential local planning pursuits. The determination of responsibilities will be directly associated with a given communities’ needs and aspirations. This team of volunteers would also participate in monthly conference calls with the AARP Virginia State Office to facilitate group discussion and share knowledge and information as to what is working well and where they identify needed improvements in the planning and implementation process.

Though uncertain of the total time commitment, AARP Virginia anticipates it will be 25 hours or less per month per volunteer. To help prepare the Livable Communities Volunteers for substantive local engagement, training will be held in the AARP Virginia state office in Richmond, VA, on October 11-12, 2018. AARP will cover the cost of travel, lodging, and meals for all volunteer trainees. Once appointed as AARP volunteers, AARP reimburses mileage and other costs related to the volunteer role.

Once the volunteers receive this training, they will be designated as the AARP Virginia Livable Communities Volunteer Team and thus be integrated into current planning activities. The team’s participation will advance and sustain the work underway in the eight communities noted herein. As the team grows, volunteers will have the opportunity to become mentors to other individuals in the state who would like to also become AARP Virginia Livable Communities volunteers.

Assisting Virginia communities to be more livable for persons of all ages is a long-term commitment on AARP’s part to these communities. In this regard, AARP Virginia expects to train new volunteers annually as needed, though we anticipate retaining a stable core team. Our aim is to develop a solid, inter-generational team of volunteers to include people of all ages.

For more information about AARP’s work with local communities, visit https://www.aarp.org/livable.