Published: April 30, 2009 06:15 am      

Willis appointed to AARP Executive Council

Exceptional volunteers from each of the state’s three regions have been added to AARP Tennessee’s Executive Council, an historic expansion that brings an even broader range of experience and viewpoints together to help set the association’s strategic priorities.

Memphis advocacy leader John Strong, Nashville Capitol Gang member Jane Fabian and former Knoxville Regional Impact Team Leader Sam Lyles of Robbins have joined the council, which now has eight members.

The new council — which includes AARP Tennessee President Margot Seay of Kingsport, Fred Fields of Norris, Cleo Owens of Memphis, Bob Willis of Fairfield Glade and staff partner AARP Tennessee State Director Rebecca Kelly — met for the first time last week in Nashville.

"In keeping with National Volunteer Week’s theme of 'Celebrating People in Action,’ we celebrate these strong volunteer leaders — who serve as the ears, eyes and voice of AARP throughout Tennessee,’’ said Kelly.

In addition to helping guide AARP’s strategic direction, Executive Council members represent the association on various committees, councils and boards; help network with other organizations; make presentations and speak to the media.
"AARP’s many accomplishments in Tennessee would have been impossible without the dedication and hard work of the Executive Council. This new expanded council is even more committed to helping their fellow Tennesseans weather this economic storm and leading the fight for affordable health care, lifetime financial security and more livable communities that allow all of us to age with dignity.’’

With more than 721,000 members in Tennessee, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. They produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, their monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, a bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, a quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and their Web site, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. They have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.