CSDC CORPORATE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT AARP BENEFITS EVERYONE

BY CONNIE WARDMAN, M.A., SDLT • SHE | HER

One of the newest groups to join the Compete Sports Diversity Council is AARP, a national 501(c)(4) nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. Recently I spoke with Joseph P. Marquart, volunteer president of the Arizona AARP chapter which has 900,000 members. Not only was our conversation enjoyable, it was also an eyeopener.

Advocating for older individuals, AARP also provides a number of member services. However, as it turns out, there’s no longer a minimum age to join and the cost to belong is between $12-$16 a year. But can a Millennial or Gen X or Z individual benefit from belonging to an organization for middle-age and elderly individuals? The answer? Absolutely! AARP has exclusive member discounts covering a wide variety of areas going far beyond the travel, dining and entertainment discounts the organization has long promoted on television.

According to Marquart, an openly gay and proud retired human resources and organizational development executive, AARP is involved in bettering communities on both a large and small scale. With chapters in all U.S. states plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, it has over 38 million members, making it one of the most diverse, inclusive and welcoming organizations in operation today.

AARP is a recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award that recognizes companies and organizations that successfully implement quality management systems. As the highest presidential honor an organization can receive for performance excellence, it’s something Marquart says is his North Star when involving himself as a volunteer.

With a long history of volunteering and serving on numerous non-profit boards, following his retirement he originally became active with AARP as a member of the Iowa Executive Committee before moving to Arizona with his husband; they’ve been together for 17 years. Now 74-years old, Marquart not only has served as a facilitator for Fraud Watch presentations and Life Reimagined sessions but also testified on behalf of AARP before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on fraud and financial abuse of senior citizens. Additionally he has met with congressional members discussing Social Security and the Caregiver Act, all part of AARP’s advocacy arm.

Through its Livable Communities initiative, AARP grants enable communities to create and/or enhance a wide variety of projects that serve its residents of all ages. Grant money can be additional support for a current need or a new project that can include parks and recreational needs, a community garden or a suicide prevention program. Marquart shared that 21 different Arizona organizations have received AARP community grant monies.

Also good for all ages is the SkillsBuilder at Work program. It offers a job board with filters for both full and parttime work and online career fairs. There also are workshops offering topics such as how to create a good resume, interview tips and how to create and maintain a healthy work/life balance. •

CSDC TRAVEL + TOURISM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Tempe Tourism Office and Compete Sports Diversity Partner with DOWNTOWN TEMPE AUTHORITY FOR PRIDE PARTY 2023

Downtown Tempe Authority is excited to announce the organization and hosting of Pride Party 2023, Tempe’s inaugural LGBTQIA+ pride event to be held on June 3rd, 2023, from 7pm to 10pm at CenterPoint Plaza in Downtown Tempe.

The Downtown Tempe Authority is hosting Pride Party 2023 to promote inclusivity and create a sense of community, belonging and fun for the LGBTQ+ community and friends in the Downtown Tempe district.

“We want to send the message that Downtown Tempe is a place where people can feel like they belong, feel valued, welcomed, and part of the community.” said Tamia Scott, Director of Marketing for Downtown Tempe Authority

Featuring popular drag performer, Barbra Seville, Pride Party 2023 will include a silent disco, beer and wine as well as delicious food served up by local Tempe food trucks. Attendees can also look forward to a fun drag show,

Downtown Tempe “Love is LOVE” t-shirts and tanks featuring the Pride Party 2023 logo are available for pre-order with $5 from every shirt going toward Mulligan’s Manor, a nonprofit LGBTQIA+ youth organization in Tempe.

Pride Party 2023 will run from 7pm-10pm at CenterPoint Plaza in downtown Tempe. Safety and security measures have been taken to ensure a fun and safe festival for all. Find more information at www.downtowntempe.com/events/ pride-party-2023

ABOUT DOWNTOWN TEMPE AUTHORITY: The award-winning Downtown Tempe Authority (DTA) is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the City of Tempe to increase the value of Downtown Tempe through enhanced management, safety, marketing and promotional services on behalf of DTA members and other downtown stakeholders.