The ROOST - The Place for All Things Volunteer

AARP NC Executive Council Social Security Team members share how the Executive Council members in each of its five regions presented in innovative ways to the community on the topic of Social Security. They also shared about the 2026 AARP NC University as well as Voter Engagement. EC representatives of the Social Security Team on the podcast are Barbara Akinwole, Dan Curry, and Phil Lenowitz. AARP NC State Advocacy and staff partner, Demarcus Andrews also shared insights on the support provided by the AARP NC State Office.

The Roost News Podcast Co-Lead Judee Barone interviewed OVE Volunteer Programs Associate Michaela Esposito about the Advocacy Sprout Social App, which trained volunteers use to promote important and relevant AARP topics — from Brain Health to Social Security to Veterans News — across the volunteers’ personal social media platforms.

Roost Team Interviewer Nancy McCammon-Hanson chatted with the AARP Iowa State staff Paige Yontz, Associate State Director for Advocacy and Robert Lyons, State and Community Engagement Manager along with volunteer Jan Hetzel. They shared Iowa's information on Iowa's Volunteer Advocacy Retreat, Volunteer Engagement for Advocacy, and their Challenge Grants relationship to Advocacy in Iowa.They also gave feedback on how any volunteer nationwide can get involved with community engagement.

Louise Gallagher, Roost News Team member interviews AARP State Office Associate State Director for Community Outreach & Advocacy, Brittany Kitt, Associate State Director for Community Outreach and Advocacy, Nishant Keerikatte, and DC Volunteer Coordinator, Jocelyn Daughtry.They will share information on their intentional focus on the volunteer journey from general engagement to leadership. They share the importance of volunteers, keeping them engaged by having the volunteers to share their passion and interest. Their State Office is committed to volunteer engagement, fulfillment, and long-term success. Volunteers are the heart of AARP.

Roost Team member, Whitt Phillips interviews AARP West Virginia State Associate State Director for Advocacy, Angela Vance and volunteers Jane Marks and Roger Calhoun. They share their extensive and productive advocacy initiatives at the West Virginia State Legislature by using the "Red Coats" and the "Red Shirt Alert Team" which the legislators embrace, welcome, and respect the groups input.

Judee Barone, Co-Lead for AARP/OVE Roost News Podcast interviews Jennifer Feuerstein-Divita, Sr. ASD - Community Outreach Coordinator, AARP Michigan State Office. Jennifer shares information on the Learn a Latte Speakers Series which started in 2017 and has ended in 2025. The AARP Michigan State office is now partnering with another organization who implements Speaker Series by tabling and providing AARP information at each of its series. This is a great initiative that another State Office may want to implement. Reach out to Jennifer if you require more information on Learn a Latte Speakers Series.

AARP Volunteers Gail Tate, Bettina Robson, and Bob Bush share the purpose of Fast Track, the first three sessions and the fourth session called Campus Session.Access FAST TRACK Registration Link Here:(log in to the Volunteer Portal to access)https://aarpvolunteer.my.site.com/vtm/s/group/0F93l000000c0KNCAY/fast-trackWant to be an AARP Volunteer?https://www.aarp.org/volunteer/

Roost News Interviewer, Louise Gallagher chats with Marissa Volpe, AARP State Office Associate State Director (ASD) for Outreach and Community Engagement and AARP Colorado State Office volunteers Cristy Moran, Niki Delson, and community partner Frank Sgambati. They share their story of successfully partnering with the Libraries in Colorado to support their rural community.

Constance Harris, Interviewer for the Roost News Podcast interviewed Katherine Lewis, Associate State Office Director, Maryland AARP State Office and Shirley Sgouros, 2025 Andrus Award Winner for Maryland. Kathy shares the process that the AARP Maryland State Office uses to select their Andrus Award Winners. The 2025 Winner, Shirley Sgouros shares feedback on being selected from the Maryland Community, what her volunteer work covers, and how she balances being a Caregiving while being active as a volunteer in her community. Shirley Sgouros is congratulated for being among the 53 AARP State Offices who select an Andrus Award Winner yearly.

Nancy McCammon Hansen interviews Jina Ragland, Senior Associate State Director for Advocacy, Nebraska State office, Jessica Kinser, Associate State Director for Communications Nebraska State Office, Ambre Marr, Senior Associate State Director for Advocacy, Indiana State Office of how their State Offices are handling and decreasing the number of individuals who are scammed using the Cryptocurrency Kiosk machine.