Changing Lives

If you are passionate about empowering older adults to use technology to make changes in their lives (such as connecting with loves ones virtually, meeting new friends, getting fit, saving money, and using their voices online to make impactful change in their community) then volunteering with Senior Planet from AARP may be the perfect opportunity for you. Contact us today and join our mission of harnessing the power of technology to change the way we age!

Locations

• Senior Planet center in Colorado (7585 E. Academy Boulevard, Denver, CO 80230)
• Senior Planet center in NYC (27 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001)
• Senior Planet center in North Country (Champlain Centre Mall, 60 Smithfield Boulevard, Plattsburgh, NY 12901)
• Senior Planet center in Miami (317 NW 28th Street, Miami, FL 33127)

Front Desk Receptionist/Greeter

The front desk receptionist is responsible for answering the center phone, answering emails, and keeping track of all individuals who walk through the center doors. The receptionist is also responsible for providing a warm and welcoming environment and helping new people fill out a participant form. You may also be asked to assist with filing and giving tours of the center. This volunteer position is ideal for someone who is detail oriented and who is comfortable using the Internet and has basic computer skills (email, data entry, etc)

Please contact volunteer@oats.org to inquire about this volunteering opportunity

Requirements:

• Great communications skills
• Experience with Microsoft Office
• Great customer service skills

Time/Frequency:

• Approximately 2-5 hours per day
• Frequency varies per location

Tech Assistant

One on One Help: The tech assistant will lead 30-minute one-on-one conversations related to technology with visiting participants at the Senior Planet center. In this role, you assist a participant to accomplish a technology-related goal for the session based on their existing knowledge and our tech talk guidelines. The ability to manage expectations and redirect participants to other technology-related resources is critical as tech talks are not meant to be prolonged tutoring sessions or computer repair consultations. 

Group Help: The group tech assistant will lead an hour-long discussion and open Q&A for a small group of participants related to a specific technology topic/subject.    

This volunteer position is ideal for someone who is comfortable with the most common technology products and skilled at communicating about them in a cogent manner.

Please contact volunteer@oats.org to inquire about this volunteering opportunity

Requirements:

• Great communications skills
• Strong technology skills
• Great customer service skills

Time/Frequency:

• Approximately 2-5 hours per day
• Frequency varies per location

Class Assistant

The class assistant helps Senior Planet trainers lead a formal course on technology for Senior Planet class participants. Trainers serve as primary instructors while the class assistant helps students who fall behind the pace of the class to get back on track. You may also be asked to assist with tracking attendance, reach out to students who are absent, or manage equipment distribution in the class. Classes generally meet twice a week for 10 weeks and attendance in each class is crucial. This volunteer position is ideal for someone with tutoring or teaching experience who is relatively comfortable with the most used technology products.

Please contact volunteer@oats.org to inquire about this volunteering opportunity

Requirements:

• Great communications skills
• Collaborative nature
• Strong technology skills
• Great customer service skills

Time/Frequency:

• Approximately 2-5 hours per day
• Frequency varies per location

Co-Host Online Classes

Co-hosts help ensure that Senior Planet online programs run smoothly and securely. These volunteers assist Senior Planet trainers by admitting participants into the Zoom room, monitoring the chat and more.

Please contact volunteer@oats.org to inquire about this volunteering opportunity

Requirements:

• Great communications skills
• Collaborative nature
• Strong technology skills
• Great customer service skills

Time/Frequency:

• Approximately 2-5 hours per day
• Frequency varies

Share Your Expertise at “Tuesday Talks!”

Have a tech product or topic you love and want other people to know about? Every Tuesday at our virtual discussion group “Lunch & Learn,” we invite a community member to lead a discussion on a tech-related topic that they are passionate about. Topics can vary widely but some example topics include: “Meeting People via MeetUp.com,” “Free eBooks from the Guttenberg Project” and “Online Dating Tips.”

Please contact volunteer@oats.org to inquire about this volunteering opportunity

Requirements:

• Passion for sharing knowledge
• Great communications skills
• Strong technology skills

Time/Frequency:

• Approximately 2-5 hours per session

Participate in the Recruitment and Advisory Committee

Every other month, this committee meets virtually to brainstorm how to enlarge Senior Planet’s footprint and bring even more older adults into the fold. This committee also provides feedback on campaigns.

Please contact volunteer@oats.org to inquire about this volunteering opportunity

Requirements:

• Support Senior Planet’s Mission
• Collaborative nature

Time/Frequency:

• Meet monthly for 1 hour

Provide Feedback in Co-Design Corner

Once a month, we ask Senior Planet participants for feedback on new classes that are in creation or their thoughts on what they’d like to learn in a certain subject area. We call it the “Co-Design Corner”.

Please contact volunteer@oats.org to inquire about this volunteering opportunity

Requirements:

• Support Senior Planet’s Mission
• Must be subscribed to Senior Planet’s Online Events Newsletter

Time/Frequency:

• Monthly

Provide Tech Assistance with the Senior Planet Hotline

The Senior Planet Hotline helps older adults access technology and training to enhance their lives and bridge the digital divide. Volunteers with the hotline help provide one-on-one tech help to callers who need additional support.

Please contact volunteer@oats.org to inquire about this volunteering opportunity

Requirements:

• Great communications skills
• Collaborative nature
• Strong technology skills
• Great customer service skills

Time/Frequency:

• 1+ hour per week, minimum four-week commitment