The Salisbury-Rowan AARP Chapter No. 4314 installed officers for 2011 at the chapter’s annual meeting on Jan. 6. The officers are Jo Kearns, president; Vickie Turner, vice president; Linda Brecher, secretary; and Manie Richardson, treasurer.
The following members will serve on the chapter’s board and as committee chairs: Donna Wilson, Calling Committee; William Gill, Community Service; Mary Frances Edens, Health & Wellness; Pat Beck, Program; Jerry Shelby, Legislative Action and Chapter History. Vickie Turner and Jo Kearns will chair the Membership and Public Relations Committees, respectively.
Chapter officials express their appreciation to outgoing officers and committee chairs for their dedication and service to the chapter: Judy Bella, president; Martha Haun, secretary; and Eileen Solomon, social committee chair.
“It is very rewarding to be involved with a community, service-oriented group like AARP. Our officers, committee chairs and members bring dedication and enthusiasm to chapter projects. Everyone contributes to making Rowan County, and Salisbury, a great place for older adults. We all bring something to the table,” Kearns said.
Chapter Vice President Vickie Turner added, “Seniors today are different from the image a lot of people have of us. We’re a diverse population, and many are energetic and involved citizens.”
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people who are 50 and older have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP’s commitment to volunteer service can be traced back to the life of its founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. From the beginning, her motto, “To serve, not to be served,” has shaped the community service efforts at the national, state, and local levels.
AARP’s vision is a society in which everyone ages with dignity and purpose. The Salisbury-Rowan chapter offers members the ability to fulfill that vision through education, advocacy, community service, leadership and fellowship opportunities.
Rowan County residents who are 50 years and older are invited to join the chapter; members to not have to be retired to join. Annual dues for the chapter are $3. New members joining during the year have dues prorated at 25 cents per month for each month remaining in the year. The chapter meetings are from 1:00-2:30 PM the first Thursday of the month at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue. The last meeting of each calendar quarter (March, June, September and December) begins with a covered dish lunch that starts at 12:00 Noon, followed by the regular meeting.
For more information about the Salisbury-Rowan AARP chapter, call 704-216-7714.