Candidate for
Board Member; Mesa Consolidated Water District; Division 5

30 years of banking and accounting experience.

AARP Peter, thank you for everything you do.

Dear Peter:

It's a pleasure to communicate directly with the largest group of volunteers in the AARP organization + more than 35,000 AARP Tax-Aide volunteers. In my short time as the new President of the AARP Foundation, I have already heard from many people, including staff and contacts outside the organization, about the excellent work you do each year. I am impressed that AARP Tax-Aide has been in existence for over 40 years and you assisted more than 2.6 million taxpayers this past tax season alone!

I've been talking to many people about the work of the AARP Foundation, asking questions and listening to the responses. It's all very valuable information to me as I evaluate the work of the Foundation and set our course for the future. We have great opportunities and challenges as well. The work you and others do on behalf of taxpayers in your community is extremely valuable and reflects well on all of us.

In that spirit of feedback, many of you will receive a survey sent to AARP volunteers in early September. Since a sample of volunteers is surveyed, not all of you will receive it. However, for those who do, I encourage you to complete the Volunteer Opinion Survey. It helps us know what we are doing well and whether we need to make changes.

I look forward to the opportunity to meet some of you in the months and years ahead. We at AARP and the AARP Foundation value what you do and the impact you have with the people and families you touch. Because of your work, many seniors and lower income taxpayers get access to additional funds by saving tax preparation fees, avoiding Refund Anticipation Loans, and getting the Earned Income Tax Credit or other credits easily missed by untrained preparers!

Thank you again for contributing to the work of AARP Tax-Aide, and all the best for another successful season in 2011, the 42nd year of the program.

Sincerely,

Jo Ann Jenkins, President AARP Foundation