AARP Eye Center
Fight Fraud: Join the AARP Advocacy Team
Posted on 11/26/24
In 2025, AARP Minnesota will be at the Minnesota State Capitol advocating for a Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund. A fast-growing fraud industry is stealing billions of dollars from US consumers yearly. The impact is profound, particularly when victims are older adults who are at a time in their lives when they are least able to recover financially. A Fraud Restitution Fund could help scam and fraud victims recover financially and incentivize more people to report financial crimes.
AARP Minnesota seeks volunteers to support this effort by contacting their lawmakers about the Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund and other AARP priorities during the 2025 legislative session. Volunteers serve as direct contacts and establish relationships with their elected officials. They also communicate their lived experience and the impact of potential new laws on themselves, their families, and their neighbors, which is crucial in passing new legislation.
You can learn about the Fraud Restitution Fund and how you can help by watching our recent virtual information session:
Our Community, Our Voice: Advocacy Volunteer Information Session
Become an Advocacy Volunteer:
- Complete the AARP Minnesota Advocacy Team Application.
- Save the date for the Legislative Session Grassroots Training and Capitol Tour on January 8, 2025.
FAQ about Advocacy Volunteering:
Tell me more!
How will I help?
When would I volunteer?
Remaining volunteer activities, such as committee hearings or district meetings, are episodic and optional based on your schedule. Events are communicated well in advance, with convenient access to register for each event. Virtual-only volunteer opportunities are also available on this team.
Do I need to have experience?
Is there training?
As an advocacy volunteer, you contact your elected officials regarding AARP priority issues with resources, training, and support from AARP. You also attend key events during the Legislative Sessions and committee hearings or meetings in your district as needed.
AARP is nonpartisan and does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. AARP does not contribute money to any candidate or political party. We ask our volunteers to help us maintain nonpartisanship as you represent AARP with lawmakers or in your community.
2025 Key Volunteer Events:
- January 8: Legislative Session Grassroots Training (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.) and Optional Capitol Tour (2 – 4 p.m.)
- January 30: AARP Fraud Webinar (10 a.m.)
- February 13: Virtual Fraud Restitution Fund People’s Rally (10 a.m.)
- March 13: AARP MN Lobby Day at the Capitol
Remaining volunteer activities, such as committee hearings or district meetings, are episodic and optional based on your schedule. Events are communicated well in advance, with convenient access to register for each event. Virtual-only volunteer opportunities are also available on this team.
AARP offers volunteers travel reimbursement for any costs incurred while volunteering with AARP (mileage, parking, Metro Transit, Metro Mobility, etc.). Volunteers are provided with AARP Minnesota fleece vests to wear during volunteer activities, particularly visits to the State Capitol.
No! AARP provides issue-based and grassroots advocacy training and resources to all volunteers. In addition, experienced members of the team are here to help and mentor new volunteers. We do ask for your commitment to the goals and priorities of AARP, including representing AARP in a nonpartisan manner.
Training includes a self-paced e-course and AARP’s 2025 Legislative Session Grassroots Training and Capitol Tour on January 8, 2025.
Ongoing training is provided through monthly Team Meetings during the Legislative Session, February - May (in-person or virtual on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 10-11 a.m.).
AARP Minnesota is pushing for the passage of legislation to create a state-level Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund (Fund) for victims of fraud, modeled after the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Civil Penalty Fund.
