The American Association of Retired Persons is shifting to making its neighborhood agenda as important as its state and national concerns.
ÒWe want to become more community-oriented,Ó says Bobby Southwood, a volunteer district director for Dallas County. ÒPeople who say they are AARP members may pay national dues or have our insurance.
ÒBut you ask if they attend a chapter meeting, and they donÕt even know they exist.Ó
Dallas County has 24 chapters. Chapters focus on informing members of AARP efforts at the state and national level, fellowship activities, lectures, and service projects.
ÒAARP has so many activities at different levels that itÕs hard to keep up,Ó Southwood says. ÒWe want to keep people informed.Ó The state of Social Security and Medicare continue to be key issues for the organization.
Chapters in our area and meeting times are:
Ridgewood Park AARP #3787
Meets: Fourth Thursdays at 10 a.m. at the Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church
Owenwood/Claremont AARP #2252
Meets: Fourth Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at Owenwood United Methodist Church
Casa Linda AARP # 3880
Meets: First Mondays at 10 a.m. at Casa Linda United Methodist Church
Lake Highlands AARP # 3881
Meets: Fourth Mondays at 10 a.m. at the Lake Highlands United Methodist Church
For more information on AARP activities, call the Southwest Regional Office in Lake Highlands at 214-265-4060.
