We're also working to make sure telephone providers continue to offer landline phone service in all parts of the state.
AARP WISCONSIN
2014 ANNUAL REPORT
CONTENTS 02
WELCOME FROM AARP WISCONSIN
03
FIGHTING ON ISSUES THAT MATTER
05
BRINGING AARP TO LIFE ACROSS WISCONSIN
06
HELPING YOU FIND YOUR REAL POSSIBILITIES
07
MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR ALL
08
CONNECTING YOU WITH RESOURCES THAT MATTER
09
VOLUNTEERING TO MAKE A DIFFERNCE
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WE’RE HERE FOR YOU
WELCOME FROM AARP WISCONSIN AARP stands at the ready to be an ally for 50+ Forward. In Wisconsin, it’s not just a motto,
Wisconsinites as they seek to rediscover their
but a call that directs us toward a better future
passions, realize their dreams, and look
for our citizens and the communities in which
“Forward” to their future, no matter what
we live. At AARP Wisconsin, we embrace this
stage in life they find themselves.
motto and its spirit of possibility and optimism. We invite Wisconsinites age 50+ to explore the many different opportunities that can be found at AARP.
take a look at all we’ve accomplished. Moving into 2015, we hope you’ll be on the lookout for AARP online, in your community, and across the
Perhaps it’s connecting with friends and family
state as we work toward our goal of ensuring
at the ballpark or sharing a laugh at our hap-
that no one’s possibilities should be limited by
py hour trivia nights. It might be turning that
their age.
million-dollar idea into reality through our small business partnership or coming together in communities to ensure that the values of inde-
DAVID STELLA | State President SAM WILSON | State Director
FIGHTING ON ISSUES THAT MATTER Financial Security In 2014 we fought to protect your hard-earned
pendence, opportunity, and dignity hold true
Social Security benefits. We gathered thou-
at any age.
sands of petitions and urged our members to
With over 800,000 members in Wisconsin, the AARP community is strong and vibrant. Our
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In this year’s annual report we invite you to
tell Congress and the President to keep Social Security strong.
members are raising families, changing careers,
Social Security is only one piece of the retire-
and envisioning their “What’s Next?” They’re
ment puzzle. That’s why we we’re dedicated to
your friends, your neighbors, and your family
helping Wisconsinites plan, work and save for
members.
retirement. We supported the Wisconsin Private
AARP WISCONSIN
We will push for this bill again in 2015. We also held events across the state to engage folks in conversations about how to create their own roadmap to financial security. Our new “AARP on Tap” events combined valuable information with friendship, fun, and bar trivia. Health Care AARP created a suite of tips, tools, and resources to help people navigate their way through the new Health Insurance Marketplace. www.HealthLawFacts.org
Secure Retirement Act, which would pave the
We also continue to advocate for Medicaid
way for workers to participate in a private pen-
expansion to ensure that all vulnerable, low-
sion if one is not offered by their employers.
income Wisconsinites—including adults without
2014 ANNUAL REPORT
3
dependent children—have access to quality,
to tell the Public Service Commission why these
affordable health care.
proposals would be so harmful. In the end,
BRINGING AARP TO LIFE ACROSS WISCONSIN
more than 3,000 Wisconsinites took action, set-
Milwaukee County
ting a record in the number of public comments
With the support of a new leadership team, we
received.
are building a stronger community presence in
For those on Medicare, our new Q&A tool helped people understand their options and get the most out of their Medicare coverage.
Milwaukee.
Webinars and social media expanded our
We’re also working to make sure telephone
ability to get the word out.
providers continue to offer landline phone
This year we focused on helping people create
www.aarp.org/MedicareQA
service in all parts of the state. We want to
their own plan for financial security and peace
assure that all Wisconsinites, especially those
of mind in retirement. Through a series of local
in rural areas where cell phone service is
“lunch & learns”, tele-town halls, and financial
unreliable or unavailable, stay connected to
planning events, more than 5,000 Milwaukee
the outside world.
AARP members and residents age 50+ jump-
Family Care Family Care is a Wisconsin program that gives older adults with frailties and people with disabilities the opportunity to receive longterm care services at home rather than in costly
started their financial future.
institutions. In 2014 we successfully fought to
We are also showing up in other fun ways, such
expand this popular and cost-effective program
as offering local discounts and meeting our
into seven counties in northeast Wisconsin,
members at Miller Park.
bringing Family Care’s total reach to 64 of the state’s 72 counties.
Northern Wisconsin With over 800,000 AARP members spread
Utilities
across this great state, we love the opportunity
Many people keep their bills low by turning
to get out on the road and meet people in their
off lights and keeping close tabs on their
home communities.
thermostat. That’s why we fought proposals by three utility companies to raise their fixed electricity rates—the fee you pay before even turning on the lights. We urged our members
This year we traveled nearly a thousand miles and spent two weeks with our members in beautiful northern Wisconsin, providing information and resources on a variety of issues as well as local discounts.
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AARP WISCONSIN
2014 ANNUAL REPORT
5
We met hundreds of wonderful Wisconsinites
hall with over 50,000 members in Wisconsin
MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR ALL
CarFit
during our travels and gained new volunteers to
who expressed a desire to explore their
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
CarFit provides information and resources that
join us in our work here in the state.
entrepreneurial interests.
Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free
helps drivers remain safe in their vehicles. Over
www.aarp.org/work/self-employment
volunteer-run tax-assistance and preparation
320 drivers were safely fitted in their own cars at
Every year AARP sets aside 9/11 as a Day of
LIFE REIMAGINED
program. In 2014, 800 Tax-Aide volunteers at
32 events throughout Wisconsin in 2014.
Service for staff and volunteers to give back to
“What’s next in my life?” is a question often
140 sites across the state helped more than
www.car-fit.org
the community. This year our state office part-
asked by people exploring the age of possibil-
nered with United Way of Greater Milwaukee
ities. We’re prepared to become an ally in this
and several other organizations to help seniors
adventure. Life Reimagined provides a series
Driver Safety
person, that help families know when it’s time
become disaster prepared. Over 1,600 emer-
of programs, experiences, resources, and
AARP Driver Safety is a driving refresher course,
for a loved one to limit or stop driving and offers
gency disaster supply kits were assembled and
services—online and offline—to help people
offered in a classroom setting or online. It’s
tips on how to navigate that difficult discussion.
distributed to Milwaukee area residents.
navigate life transitions, explore new opportuni-
designed to help keep older drivers indepen-
www.aarp.org/weneedtotalk
ties, and to live their best lives.
dent, safe and confident while on the road. In
LifeReimagined.org
Wisconsin, 236 classes were held in 2014 and
Day of Service
HELPING YOU FIND YOUR REAL POSSIBILITIES Encore Entrepreneurs For the past three years AARP has teamed with
42,000 Wisconsinites receive refunds totaling around $30 million. www.aarp.org/taxaide
more than 1,900 older drivers benefited from this program. www.aarp.org/drive
We Need to Talk AARP offers free seminars, both online and in
Andrus Award Named after AARP Founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, the annual Andrus Award for Community Service honors one exemplary
the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to
volunteer in each state. In 2014 we recognized
help people 50+ access information they need to
Judy Bouffleur of La Crosse for her lifelong con-
plan, start or grow a new business or nonprofit.
tributions to her community. http://bit.ly/1vPjhlI
To date, nearly 500 AARP members have had the opportunity to network in-person with the staff of SBA and its local affiliates on business plan development and financing. In addition to seminars in Appleton and Sheboygan Falls, in 2014 we held a tele-town
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AARP WISCONSIN
2014 ANNUAL REPORT
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CONNECTING YOU WITH RESOURCES THAT MATTER Fraud Watch Network
across the state with resources about dementia
Volunteer Advocates
friendly initiatives and communities.
Our nearly 100 advocates are busy all year,
As Wisconsin explores innovative ways to
Every year, thousands of Americans are impact-
address the needs of our aging population,
ed by fraud, but we’re helping Wisconsinites
AARP is poised to be a strong partner in
stay one step ahead of the scammers. Join the
developing solutions to this growing need.
free AARP Fraud Watch Network to get our tricks, and find out what to do if you’ve been
VOLUNTEERING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
victimized or suspect a scam in your community.
Executive Council
www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork
David Stella – David, of Middleton, is our state
Watchdog Alerts, stay up on con artists’ latest
president. He has a strong state and national
working on both state and federal issues. They make visits and calls to the state capitol and congressional offices, write letters to the editor, gather signatures on petitions to strengthen and preserve Social Security and Medicare, and attend town hall meetings and public hearings. Tele-activists More than 800 of our tele-activists make phone calls to officials in support or opposition to specific budget and legislative proposals that
Voter Engagement
Caregiver Support
AARP has a 28-year history of nonpartisan voter
The majority of older Wisconsinites prefer to
engagement. To help our members stay in-
live independently in their homes and commu-
Estell Sprewer Bridgewaters – Estell, of
formed about issues that matter most to them,
nities as they age. Family caregivers are often
Milwaukee, has over 30 years’ experience in
we created and distributed voter guides in
the ones who make this goal a reality. Caregiv-
educational leadership.
every Wisconsin Congressional District. These
ers deserve all the support they need. That’s
guides helped Wisconsinites learn how candi-
Sandy Drew – Sandy, of Madison, worked 32
the impact and relevance of AARP in greater
why AARP created a new website that gives
dates would protect Social Security, put Medi-
years on pensions, retirement, health insurance
Milwaukee by mobilizing the membership and
them a chance to share their story with others.
care on stronger financial ground, and help
and other employee benefits.
increasing volunteerism to build a more active,
www.aarp.org/iheartcaregivers
people secure their finances for retirement.
reputation around pension and retirement issues.
Joel Rubin – Joel, of Allouez, worked 30 years
could be helpful or harmful to Wisconsinites age 50 and over. Milwaukee Leadership Team The 18 members of this team demonstrate
livable and age-friendly community.
We also know that caregivers and communities
We also produced voter guides for the gov-
as a social worker and served four years as one
Chapters
face a growing challenge to meet the needs of
ernor’s race and let all state candidates know
of our volunteer advocates.
AARP Chapters are in several communities
friends, loved ones and neighbors living with
where AARP stands on issues of importance
dementia. We partnered with the Wisconsin
to the 50+. www.aarp.org/yourvote
Department of Health Services to provide
Sam Wilson – Sam, of Middleton, is our state director and has been with AARP for 14 years.
across Wisconsin, providing social and educational opportunities.
information to over 40,000 AARP members
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AARP WISCONSIN
2014 ANNUAL REPORT
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WE’RE HERE FOR YOU Staff AARP has an office in every state, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Here in Wisconsin, we have a staff of seven, including…
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AARP WISCONSIN
Sam Wilson | State Director
Arleen Casey | Office Manager
Helen Marks Dicks | State Issues Advocacy Director
Jim Flaherty | Communications Director
Lisa Lamkins | Federal Issues Advocacy Director
Mariann Muzzi | Community Outreach Director
Jessica Prell | Senior Program Specialist
2014 ANNUAL REPORT
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CONTACT INFORMATION AARP Wisconsin State Office 222 West Washington Avenue, Suite 600 Madison, WI 53703 Call: 1-866-448-3611 (toll free) Email:
[email protected]
aarp.org/wi facebook.com/aarpwisconsin twitter.com/aarpwi
youtube.com/AARPWisconsin
AARP Wisconsin | 222 West Washington Ave., Suite 600 | Madison, WI 53703 | 1-866-488-3611
