Position Description:
For the Position of:
Director, AARP Board
October 2015
Position Description
Title:
Company:
Headquarters:
Website:
Director, AARP Board
AARP
Washington, DC
www.aarp.org
Company Overview
Founded in 1958, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more
than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens
communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare,
employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by
selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help
our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.
A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The
Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www. aarp.org; AARP TV
& Radio; and AARP Books. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make
contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP’s Mission: AARP enhances the quality of life for all as we age. We champion
positive social change and deliver value through advocacy, information, and service.
AARP’s Vision: A society in which all people live with dignity and purpose, and fulfil
their goals and dreams.
While comprised of different legal entities listed below, AARP speaks with one voice—all
united by a common motto: “To serve, not to be served.”
AARP, Inc. (the Association) AARP’s mission is to enhance quality of life for all as we age.
AARP leads positive social change and deliver value to members through information, advocacy
and service.
AARP Foundation (the Foundation) AARP’s affiliated charity’s vision is for America to be a
country free from poverty where no older person feels vulnerable.
AARP Services, Inc. (ASI) AARP’s wholly owned, taxable subsidiary manages the provider
relationships for and performs quality control oversight of a wide range of products and services
that carry the AARP name and are made available by independent providers as benefits to
AARP’s millions of members.
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Legal Counsel for the Elderly, Inc. (LCE) Created to provide free legal assistance and
education to the elderly, primarily in Washington, D.C.
AARP’s current social impact agenda, which focuses significant resources on an America
where individuals 50-plus have:
 Health Security: access to care, information and services to lead healthier lives;
 Financial Resilience: opportunities and resources to match longer life spans; and
 Personal Fulfillment: increasing opportunities to continue meaningful lives as integral
and important assets in our society.
Board Overview
The 21-member volunteer Board of Directors is the governing body of AARP and approves all
policies, programs, activities, and services for the Association's 37 million members. The Board
oversees organizational performance, which includes fulfilling the mission of AARP,
determining its future direction, setting policy positions, and securing its fiscal health. Elected
officers include a Chair, Vice Chair, a Secretary/Treasurer, and the AARP President and
President-Elect who are board members with the President serving as AARP’s principal
volunteer spokesperson.
AARP Board Committees
Committees and the National Policy Council assist the Board of Directors (Board) in fulfilling its
governance responsibilities and completing tasks required by the AARP Bylaws. All committee
member and NPC appointments are approved by the Board. All committees and subcommittees
are advisory to the Board. Committees are assigned tasks, topic areas, and/or policy-level issues
to review and monitor. The committees of the Board are:
 The Audit and Finance Committee is chaired by the Secretary/Treasurer and assists the
Board in carrying out its oversight responsibilities as they relate to AARP's financial
reporting, system of internal controls, and compliance with laws, regulations, and
AARP’s Code of Conduct as it applies to AARP employees. The committee also assists
the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to ensure adequate planning for and effective and
efficient use of AARP's financial resources.
 The Compensation Committee is chaired by the Board Chair and is responsible for
working with the Board to evaluate the performance of the CEO based on Boardapproved criteria; reviewing AARP’s compensation philosophy; reviewing the
compensation of senior executives; and overseeing human resources policies and
benefits.
 The Governance Committee is chaired by the Board Chair and reviews and makes
recommendations to the Board about the policies and procedures that govern the work of
the Board in carrying out its responsibility to provide policy oversight for the
Association.
 The Member and Social Impact Committee is chaired by the Board’s Vice Chair and
monitors, reviews, and makes recommendations to the Board concerning member value,
social impact, volunteer engagement, and the AARP brand.
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 The Nominating Subcommittee of the Governance Committee is responsible for:
recommending criteria for director selection; developing and implementing a process of
announcing, identifying, recruiting, screening, and selecting candidates; and reporting
regularly to the Governance Committee and the Board of Directors on its activities.
 The National Policy Council (NPC) assists the AARP Board in the formulation of
federal, state, and local public policies. The Board receives, considers, and acts on the
Council’s recommendations to establish AARP’s public policy. The Council consists of
25 individuals who have public policy experience and who represent, to the extent
possible, the diversity of AARP’s membership. Four AARP Board members serve on the
Council, with the President-Elect serving as Chair of the NPC.
Role Summary
AARP seeks candidates to fill five volunteer positions on its Board of Directors. These positions
will commence in June 2016. Directors are elected to serve a two-year term and may serve no
more than four terms. The Board of Directors is responsible for setting AARP policies and
overseeing an organizational budget that supports benefits, services and activities for over 37
million members and others 50+.
Candidates must be able to attend four board meetings a year as well as committee meetings and
an annual retreat. Directors may have an opportunity to serve on AARP’s affiliate boards and
represent AARP to the public.
The major responsibilities of the AARP Board are:
 Setting strategic direction and public policy:
 Determining the national legislative policy agenda for AARP on such issues as
Medicare, Social Security, livable communities and consumer protection; and
 Setting public policy that guides AARP’s strategic plans and activities, its
publications, and the development of member benefits and service programs and
activities.
 Ensuring that AARP has sufficient financial and human resources to carry out its
strategic direction and policy:
 Approving the organization’s budget and monitoring the finances of AARP; and
 Monitoring policies that govern over 2,000 staff nationwide and programs that
involve tens of thousands of volunteers.
 Overseeing, monitoring and promoting accountability:
 Overseeing member services and programs; and
 Evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer.
For additional information about the current Board of Directors, visit http://www.aarp.org/aboutaarp/leadership/.
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All Board candidates should have the following attributes:
AARP Membership: Candidates must be at least 50 years of age as of June 2016 and be a
Regular member of AARP.
Commitment to AARP’s Goals: Board candidates must have a strong commitment to AARP’s
objectives, values and strategic direction. Applicants should be aware of AARP’s rich history of
service through volunteerism, partnerships and teamwork. These principles are outlined in
AARP’s Strategic Plan and implemented nationally through a broad array of advocacy work,
education activities, and through the services and benefits that AARP provides to its members,
their families and all persons 50+.
Governance and Leadership Skills and Abilities: We seek directors with proven governance
and executive leadership skills and experience. Key qualities and talents that would complement
the talents of existing directors include:
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Executive/C-suite leadership experience: Extensive experience leading large, complex
organizations of size and scope comparable to or larger than AARP.
Demonstrated governance experience in complex organizations.
Active engagement in their areas of expertise.
Skills in public policy development and advocacy strategy, setting strategic direction,
and monitoring organizational effectiveness.
Knowledge and Experience: Director experience and expertise of interest for this recruitment
process:
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Thought Leaders in the following areas:
o healthcare, social security, financial resilience, and aging
o innovation with experience on how dynamic organizations adapt to fastchanging environments
Experience in the digital and technology space with an understanding of its
transformative power and how it may be adapted to AARP fulfilling its social
mission
Experience with leveraging emerging trends and product and delivery channels to
maximize organizational mission
Finance
Experience with large national not-for-profit or for-profit membership organizations
Comprehensive view of governmental processes/decision making that leverage
bipartisan approaches
Experience serving as a Board Officer or Committee Chair of a national
organization
Prospective board members may also be generalists who have a blend of knowledge, skills and
relevant experiences in such areas as public policy, finance, social service, and membership
development and volunteerism. AARP seeks a variety of professional and personal backgrounds
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to obtain a wide range of viewpoints and perspectives, and to maintain a Board of Directors that
reflects the diversity of AARP’s membership.
Personal Characteristics: It is important that the Board member work well within a Committee
structure and be able to communicate effectively with the CEO and other members of the
management team. We are looking for candidates with a willingness to work on behalf of the
entire 50+ population of the United States in a transparent, non-partisan and productive manner.
The ideal Board member will have a demonstrated track record of ethical behavior and exhibit a
healthy curiosity to expand his or her knowledge of the organization and the key issues
associated with AARP’s mission. The ideal individual will be informed and decisive. A strong
character, an independent mind, and a supportive nature in dealing with others will serve the
candidate well.
Nominating Process
The Nominating Subcommittee is responsible for reviewing and assessing candidates for the
Board. Following an initial evaluation and presentation of candidates by Diversified Search, the
Subcommittee will identify a pool of candidates for further evaluation, including a background
check and reference checks. Finalists will be interviewed in person. The AARP Board will vote
on a final slate of candidates at its March 2016 Board meeting. New Board members will be
installed at the June 2016 Board meeting.
As an organization and as an employer, AARP values and champions the broad diversity of our
membership and workforce.
Diversity has been a core value of AARP since it was founded in 1958.
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