AARP Idaho Welcomes New Executive Council Member

 Nancy Lee Hendricks to join AARP Idaho Executive Council

AARP Idaho has appointed Nancy Lee Hendricks to their executive council – the highest state-level volunteer position within the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. AARP Idaho has more than 187,000 members statewide and more than 38 million members nationwide.

Ms. Hendricks, a Pocatello resident and current president of Pocatello’s AARP Chapter, will serve on the AARP Idaho volunteer executive council and work to achieve AARP’s vision, mission, and strategic priorities across the state. AARP Idaho state president Barbara Blasch and state director Lupe Wissel appointed her to the executive council position.

"I am thrilled to welcome Nancy Lee to the Executive Council and the AARP team," said Lupe Wissel, AARP Idaho state director. "Her strong background, community service, civic involvement and her leadership with Pocatello's 50+ community will be a great asset to AARP's work."

Ms. Hendricks brings to her new role extensive international experience in education and election oversite. Having earned a Bachelor of Arts in Ancient History and Archaeology of Central Asia from George Mason University and a master’s degree in Central Asian Studies from George Mason University. She is fluent in Dari, Tajiki, Gujarati and also speaks Hindi, German, French and Russian.

Hendricks grew up in Lava Hot Springs before joining the Peace Corp where she eventually parlayed her international experience into roles that took her to Afghanistan, Russia, India, Tajikistan and Eastern Europe. Her work in these regions was both in education and human rights. In Tajikistan she participated in active refugee protection work while also working to preserve election integrity and oversite. She was an election officer in Afghanistan and Kosovo before returning to the United States where she became an election officer and judge in Idaho, Arizona and Virginia.

Hendricks currently volunteers as president of the AARP Pocatello chapter. She has been active in the New Knowledge Adventures program in Pocatello. She hosts writing groups, lectured on her international travels, and assisted League of Women Voters debates. She has volunteered with the Bannock County Historical Society, Pocatello Animal Shelter and at the local library, which she’s done in various cities since she was a teenager.

This appointment is effective immediately. Ms. Hendricks joins returning executive council members Tom Ressler of Meridian, Barbara Blasch of Boise and Irene Chavolla of Nampa.