Kentucky Kernels
Volunteer Newsletter July-August 2018
From the Desk of Charlotte Whittaker
Charlotte Whittaker
I wish all of you Happy Fourth of July. Stated simply, the Fourth of July is actually the birthday of America as a free and independent nation. The Declaration of Independence, which was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, is quite literally, our nation’s birth certificate. While celebrations on July 4th during the American Revolution were modest, after the war ended in 1783, the Fourth of July became a holiday in most places. The celebrations include speeches, military events, parades and fireworks. To this day the Fourth of July is the most patriotic holiday celebrated in the United States of America. AARP Kentucky would like to invite each of our members to be a part of the 2018 Kentucky Voter Engagement Outreach. “Be the Difference. Vote.” is about boosting voter turnout of 50+ voters, informing the candidates about the issues our members care about, such as Medicare, Social Security, Prescription Drugs, Caregiving and Medicaid. We will encourage each candidate to address the concerns of AARP members and 50+ voters. AARP members will be asking candidates their positions on key issues important to them and their families. We will be present at debates, forums, town halls and on social media. AARP has a proud 32year history of non-partisan voter engagement. We will provide information on where the candidates stand on issues important to our members and their families. We will encourage all candidates to talk with voters about the issues that matter to our 50+ population & membership. As your AARP Kentucky President, I encourage you to, “Be The Difference. Vote.” Critical issues like Medicare, Social Security, Caregiving and our financial security are all on the line. It is my feeling, “That our future depends on our voting in 2018.” It is time for politicians to put voters first and get to work! Pledge to VOTE November 2018! Have a Blessed Summer!
AARP Kentucky Returns to the Kentucky State Fair! Tihisha Rawlins AARP Kentucky is returning to the Kentucky State Fair, although in a smaller capacity. This year, AARP will share a booth with KIPDA, the Area Agency on Aging. We will have 4 volunteers per day for each of the 11 days of the fair, with the exception of senior day. On senior day, we will be represented the entire day. This allows AARP to have a daily presence at the fair while working within the realities of the state office budget. And, since our fans were always a hit, we will bring them back with a voter engagement message!
So, if you’re visiting the fair this year, be sure to stop by the booth in the South Wing and check us out.
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Kentucky Kernels
"In Your Own Write" Louisville Event
Jul/Aug 2018 Dana Moore
On April 24th, the Louisville Community Team held an event called "In Your Own Write" with local authors Dave Creek, who writes science fiction, thriller writer Tony Acree, and novelist Pat Paxton. In addition, Acree is the owner of Hydra Publications, a small-press publisher based in Goshen, KY. The workshop focused on AARP members who were interested in becoming writers. Thirty attendees received advice and suggestions at this nearly two hour event. The audience was very engaged, and many people spoke to the writers individually immediately afterwards. The event happened to coincide with Kentucky Writers Day, though that wasn't planned. We promoted this event through flyers, social media, the AARP website, and at Movies for Grownups the previous week. We also promoted it through Coffee News, which is distributed at restaurants through the Louisville area, and online on Next Door, which communicates to various neighborhoods. The writers were very engaging, gave specific suggestions on how to write and market their material, and whether to pursue a publishing contract or self-publish. It was so successful, that at our next event, an ice cream social, people recognized myself and one of the writers, and asked additional questions. This event received such a great response that we intend to do it next year on the anniversary of Kentucky Writers Day.
Service Unites 2018 Conference
Rachel Fautz
I attended the Service Unites Conference in Atlanta June 18-20. Service Unites is the largest service-related convening of nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders in the world, and brings together thousands to collaborate to solve society’s greatest challenges and build resilient communities through volunteerism and service. During the conference I attended sessions on creating simple volunteer programs to meet a basic need, attraction and engagement of today's volunteers, volunteer leadership development, filling a niche with volunteers, engaging the military community as volunteers, and volunteer training. I was able to hear from, and meet with, folks of all ages from various types of organizations; both staff members and volunteers. It was interesting to see how AARP matches up with other groups in terms of recruiting, engaging, and training volunteers. There were dozens of breakout sessions to choose from, and while a large number of them focused on corporate volunteering, and recruiting millennials, there were also some sessions focused on working with older volunteers. It was an educational and eventful field trip away from the office.
Jul/Aug 2018
Kentucky Kernels
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A Volunteer Fraud Watch Network Testimonial Rita Combs-Sterrett The following is an experience I want to share. It is a case of having the knowledge and still wondering if you are doing the right thing. It all started when I woke up and was unable to log on to Chrome on my computer. I didn't think much about it initially, but later in the day I still couldn’t access it. I am not at all tech savvy, so I just figured everything would eventually come online. Hours later I still could not use my computer, and I began to worry. My first step was to contact AT&T. I got on their Help chat line, answered their questions, tried their suggestions, and did all I could to understand and keep up with what I was being told to do and look for on my screen. After about an hour, we were making progress, when wouldn't you know it, I got a call from my furniture delivery people that they were at my back door. I had to leave the chat with AT&T and answer the door. When I returned about 5 minutes later AT&T Help chat had logged off. What was I to do? I was contacted by a company called MY FAST PC. I honestly can't remember if they just popped up on the screen, or if AT&T put them through when I had not returned to complete the chat. At any rate, there I was with a company that I had no idea about and they were saying that they could assist me with the problem I was having with my computer. This is when I got scared. All of the AARP information on scams clicked in, and I wondered how to proceed. I know nothing about this company, they are telling me that I had been infected with a virus and that my information was compromised. I have over the past few months started to utilize the computer for bill payments and specific online ordering for household needs. My mind was swirling, thinking of all the things that could go wrong when the person at the other end of the phone asked that I give them my credit card number in order to start the process of scrubbing my computer. I froze and told them that I was with AARP and that I needed information on their company before I shared that information. Once I obtained it, and was assured that the company was legitimate, located in the United States, Utah, and had a website with testimonials from users, I felt a bit better. I still hesitated and shared with Kylie, the representative who I was speaking with, that I was still apprehensive about sharing personal information. That as an AARP member, knowing what I know about scams, it would be foolish of me to take her word. She continued to assure me that the company was legitimate, and the situation that I had encountered with my computer was one that they address and correct frequently. Well, to end this story on a good note, I did utilize the service. It cost me $99 after I requested a discount, and I received a one month free monthly fee which I can cancel in writing. The company is rated by BBB, and I did receive a call and follow up from the technician that corrected the problems and scrubbed my computer. I have documentation with phone numbers, testimonials, BBB reports and everything I could get my hands on regarding this service. While I spoke with them I frequently let it be known that AARP had instilled in its membership and others to be vigilant about protecting our information from businesses that are out to scam us. Following the lengthy conversation with the representatives of this company I am sure they got the message.
Portland Chapter Janet Cherry Hot! Hot! Hot! This month we will have our food drive for the food bank, & we’re looking forward to our July meeting. This is where we will eat ourselves silly, then go on vacation for the month of August! Happy Summer from Chapter 2526.
Mt. Washington Chapter Bill Harned
AARP Kentucky 10401 Linn Station Road, Suite 121 Louisville, KY 40223 1-866-295-7275
May is for Derby, Mothers Day, and great hats! Mt. Washington Chapter celebrated all three at the May meeting. All the ladies received a flower, and 88 year old Rose Jordan (seated front right) was awarded roses for her hat. A musical program topped off a great day.
Staff: Ron Bridges — State Director Tihisha Rawlins — ASD Grassroots Initiatives Scott Wegenast — ASD Advocacy & Outreach Eric Evans — ASD Advocacy & Outreach TBD — ASD Communications Rachel Fautz — Sr. Operations Associate Aneshia Gray — Sr. Program Assistant
www.youtube.com/AARPKY @aarpky
facebook.com/aarpkentucky
Tax Laws are Changing! Dick Trowbridge
There are numerous changes for tax year 2018. Details of the changes have been reported via various media and are worth reviewing with your financial advisor to determine potential changes in your personal return. Changes for KY begin with a change to a single flat rate of 5%. Several former deductions were eliminated (i.e. health insurance 7d long-term care insurance premiums). Likewise, several itemized deductions can no longer be claimed (i.e. investment interest, taxes, casualty/theft/gambling losses, medical 7 dental care expense & others). There are a number of other changes too. Federal IRS tax changes will also have a mixed impact. An increase in the standard deduction will eliminate the need and advantage of itemizing for many tax payers. The new standard is virtually double that of 2017 - now $12,000 for singles; $24,000 for married filing jointly & surviving spouses; $12,000 for married filing separately. Head of Household increased to $18,000. Personal exemptions have been eliminated, child tax credit has increased. Tax brackets now begin at 10% and increase through various levels to a maximum of 37%. Tax-Aide volunteers are already developing additional training elements to insure the continued high quality of free help they provide each tax season. TaxSlayer software will again be provided to Tax-Aide by the IRS and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program. Tax-Aide is the largest group nationally that provides the TCE service. KY has well over 400 volunteers and over 60 sites. More volunteers are needed to continue providing this expanding service to the community. A major advantage of volunteering is the short span of service involved – one or more 4-hour shifts per week for only about 10-11 weeks. Orientation and Information sessions will be held in the fall for those interested in learning more. Complete training is provided for all volunteers beginning in November. Detailed face-toface classes will meet in January. All tests are “open book” and much of the training is available online. Those interested in joining this hardy group of volunteers can find general information by phone 502-3943443, at www.aarp-tax-aide-lou.org, or via email to LouTaxAide@gmail.com. Persons outside the Louisville Metro area will be referred to their nearest District Coordinator.