AARP Board Member Recruitment

Position Specification

Board Director(s)

2021

Heidrick & Struggles

The Organization

Name

AARP

Mission

Enhancing the quality of life for all as we age -- not just serving nearly 38 million members -- is AARP's mission. At its heart, the work that AARP and its affiliates do can be summed up in just 10 words: "Empower people to choose how they live as they age."

Overview Organization Snapshot

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people to choose how they live as they age.

With nearly 38 million members, and offices and trained volunteers in every state, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families -- with a focus on health security, financial stability, and social connections.

AARP is one of the most effective advocacy organizations in the U.S., through an innovative mix of government and marketplace advocacy, community service, comprehensive public information programs and thought leadership, robust digital resources, and charitable support for low-income adults. Members of AARP span four generations and reflect a wide range of attitudes, cultures and lifestyles.

AARP is comprised of distinct legal entities united by a common motto: "To serve, not to be served." Complementing AARP, the parent organization, are the following:

AARP Foundation, AARP's charitable affiliate, works to end senior poverty by helping vulnerable older adults build economic opportunity and social connectedness. It is funded primarily by AARP.

Legal Counsel for the Elderly, also an AARP affiliated charity, is a nonprofit organization that champions the dignity and rights of seniors in Washington, DC.

Wish of a Lifetime from AARP is a charitable affiliate that grants wishes to people 65 and older in recognition of their special accomplishments, contributions and sacrifices.

OATS (Older Adults Technology Services) from AARP is a charitable affiliate that helps older adults learn and use technology so they can live better in the digital age.

AARP Services, Inc. is a wholly owned taxable subsidiary of AARP. AARP Services manages provider relationships and performs quality control oversight of the wide range of products and services (including insurance products) that carry the AARP name, which are made available by independent providers as benefits to AARP members.

AARP is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.

Founded in 1958 as the American Association for Retired Persons, by Ethel Percy Andrus, and headquartered in Washington, DC., AARP is a 501c(4) organization with 53 state and territorial offices. The corporation name officially changed to AARP in 1999.

In FY19, AARP generated total revenue of $1.75 billion (USD).

AARP employs over 2,000 people and has an engaged network of over 60,000 volunteers.

Position Specification | AARP | Non-Executive Director

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AARP Areas of Focus

AARP's Impact ? Select Accomplishments

Advocacy ? As a strong, nonpartisan advocate for social change at the local, state and national levels, AARP fights for issues that matter to people 50-plus, their families and society.

Community Service ? AARP's community service efforts include family support and caregiving; safe driving programs; local events and information workshops; and other community-oriented initiatives.

Trusted Information ? AARP produces AARP The Magazine; AARP Bulletin; AARP television and radio programming; AARP Books; AARP en Espa?ol; and ., which has a focus on practical information concerning health and financial security.

Research and Thought Leadership - AARP conducts research to support strategic priorities in advocacy, service, and information. AARP is a global thought leader on aging.

Member Benefits ? AARP members get access to carefully chosen benefits, from third-party companies, designed to enrich their lives.

Innovation ? AARP continuously seeks out innovative ways to serve the 50-plus population and make lasting, sustainable impact.

When nursing homes were hit hard by the pandemic, AARP fought to protect residents and staff, helping pass more than 175 new executive orders, laws, and regulations designed to save lives.

AARP advocacy on various federal COVID relief packages helped ensure $1,200 and $1,400 federal COVID relief payments for individuals making less than $75,000 a year. The first relief payment for Social Security retirees was twice the amount it would have been had AARP not stepped in to advocate for greater relief.

In 2020, AARP state offices helped pass laws in 16 states that would lower the high cost of prescription drugs.

Also in 2020, AARP protected utility consumers from unnecessary terminations and helped increase access to high-speed internet.

AARP's focus on building financial resilience for the 50-plus has fueled the expansion of access to workplace retirement savings programs in 12 states, impacting 20.9 million workers.

On Caregiving, AARP advocacy at the state level has positively impacted 36 million lives.

AARP successfully advocated to prevent a significant increase in Medicare Part B premiums in 2021.

AARP founded and funded the AARP Brain Health Fund with a $60 million investment in the Dementia Discovery Fund.

Recent honors for AARP include the 2020 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizes exemplary U.S. organizations and businesses; being named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, for the third year in a row; and being named by The Washington Post, also for a third consecutive year, as a top workplace.

Position Specification | AARP | Non-Executive Director

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The Position

About the Board

Responsibilities

Over the past decade, the AARP Board of Directors underwent a transformation, decreasing in size from over twenty directors to eleven to become more nimble. Today, it is a strategic, collaborative, and diverse body of leaders united in their passion for AARP's mission. AARP Board Members directly impact the 50-plus, including AARP's 38 million members on a vast array of life-changing issues ranging from healthcare to professional growth to financial security to leisure.

The AARP Board has a collegial and respectful culture. It values a combination of commercial sensibility, intellectual curiosity and mission focus, and offers extensive opportunities for continuous learning. It maintains a strong relationship with executive leadership.

Directors are not compensated for their board service; however, travel and expenses for board meeting attendance and enriching director education programs are covered by AARP.

Directors serve two-year terms and may be re-elected to serve up to three additional terms, for maximum of 8 years on the Board.

Fiduciary Responsibility ? Fosters ethical conduct and carries out fiduciary duties of care, loyalty, and diligence to AARP. Reviews and approves budget, ensuring there are sufficient financial and human resources to carry out the Strategic Plan. Assures that financial systems and practices meet accepted standards. Ensures AARP has adequate operational reserves. Approves investment policy and oversees performance. Reviews results of annual and other necessary audits. Reviews the organization's IRS Form 990 prior to filing.

CEO Support and Evaluation ? Clarifies expectations and sets objectives for the CEO, including annual and long-term goals. Assesses performance. Through the Chair, works with the CEO to set the agenda for Board and Committee meetings. Gives substantive and constructive feedback. Supports the CEO's professional and personal development. Ensures succession planning at executive levels and that talent is recruited, rewarded, and retained.

Policy and Advocacy ? Approves significant AARP public policy and provides high-level input on major advocacy issues.

Strategic Planning ? Approves long-term strategic plan. Works with the CEO and Executive Team to adjust and modify plan as needed based on external developments and lessons learned from implementation of plans. Approves use of funds for new ventures, undertakings and acquisitions in accordance with governance policies.

Monitor Performance ? Approves Dashboard encompassing annual objectives and metrics reflective of strategic plan. Reviews periodic standardized reports both at Board and Committee meetings and in-between meetings to assess results and variances.

Address Risk and Opportunity ? Assesses and advises on risks and opportunities. Safeguards AARP's reputation, ensuring the organization operates in a transparent and accountable manner to earn and keep the public's trust.

Diversity & Inclusion ? Builds a diverse Board with needed skills and experience and commitment to the mission. Ensures that the skills and experience of Board members are diverse, match the needs of AARP, and support advancement of AARP's purpose.

Position Specification | AARP | Non-Executive Director

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The Person

Overview Key Qualities of the Next Director(s)

Desired Experience and Expertise Desired Behaviors and Characteristics

AARP seeks to have a diverse Board, in thought and skills, and one that is reflective of the 50-plus, with directors possessing proven governance and executive leadership skills and experience in not-for-profits or for-profits. Key qualities and talents that would complement the talents of existing directors, as well as preferred experience and characteristics, are listed below.

Executive/C-suite leadership experience.

Governance experience in complex organizations: setting strategic direction, monitoring organizational effectiveness, overseeing large/complex operations. Prefer candidates who have served in leadership roles on other boards, as chairs of boards or committees.

Extensive experience leading large, complex organizations of size and scope comparable to or larger than AARP.

Ability to think across all disciplines applying to AARP (i.e., Finance, IT, HR, Compensation, Advocacy, Public Policy, Social Impact, Communications/Brand), synthesizing new information without a bias to any one discipline.

Possessing core masteries for transformation:

o Future-casting--envisioning the future role AARP can play in the lives of the 50-plus;

o Ripple intelligence--discovering patterns and connecting the dots to see new possibilities;

o Sense-making--understanding the forces shaping the lives of the 50-plus

Consumer experience, especially with younger 50-plus segments, in areas critical to achievement of AARP's Strategic Plan.

Digital transformation and innovation.

Leveraging emerging trends and product and distribution channels to deliver value propositions that engage members and the 50-plus.

Service as high-level AARP state volunteer leader.

Be comfortable operating within ever changing environmental and organizational conditions, able to achieve good balance of short- and longterm thinking.

Bring innovation, empathy, curiosity, creativity, and a focused decisionmaking style that supports implementing practical, timely solutions that reflect an appreciation of intelligent risk-taking.

Ability to learn quickly and stay focused on results despite changing conditions, and open to benefitting from peer review.

The role requires a sense of urgency and the confidence to handle a variety of challenges, a full commitment to successfully fulfilling AARP's social mission and high standards of achievement.

Position Specification | AARP | Non-Executive Director

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