Shumway: How Your Voice Shapes AARP Wyoming’s Work

At AARP Wyoming, everything we do starts with one simple truth: we work for you—our members.

Whether we’re advocating for property tax relief, supporting caregivers, strengthening rural health care, or hosting pickleball clinics and movie nights, our mission is rooted in your experiences. We believe the best ideas come from the people living them every day, and that’s why staying connected to you is one of our highest priorities.

Wyoming is a big state—wide open spaces, long drives, and close-knit communities. In a place where neighbors still wave from their trucks and news travels by conversation, listening matters. The voices of Wyoming’s older adults don’t just inform our work—they shape it.

That connection doesn’t happen by accident. It’s something we build and nurture through every survey, phone call, event, email, and handshake. When you take time to share your perspective, you help ensure that AARP Wyoming’s work reflects what truly matters to you and your community.

Let’s take a closer look at how we stay connected—and how your voice helps guide everything we do.

Vital Voices: Turning Member Feedback Into Action
One of the most important ways we listen to our members is through the AARP Vital Voices survey—a statewide project that helps us understand what’s most important to you. Every three years, Wyomingites are invited to share their opinions on issues ranging from health care and financial security to housing, caregiving, fraud, and community engagement.

For us, this isn’t just another questionnaire. It’s a roadmap. When you respond to Vital Voices, you’re telling us exactly what challenges you face and what opportunities you see. That information drives our state priorities, shapes our legislative advocacy, and even determines the kinds of programs and resources we create.

For example, when Wyoming members told us that rising property taxes were making it hard to stay in their homes, we made property-tax relief one of our top advocacy issues. When you told us caregivers needed better tools and emotional support, we created new online resources and in-person workshops to help. And when we heard concerns about fraud and scams, we expanded our Fraud Watch Network outreach, bringing presentations and alerts to towns large and small.

This year’s Vital Voices results will once again guide our work for the next several years. If you receive a survey invitation, please take a few minutes to fill it out. Your voice truly makes a difference.

In-Person Events: Listening Across Wyoming
Nothing replaces face-to-face conversation. That’s why AARP Wyoming hosts and supports events in communities across the state.

We’re out there leading caregiver conferences, fraud prevention workshops, brain-health events, and we’re joining local fairs, parades, and volunteer projects. Each event gives us the chance not just to share information, but to listen.

When we ask what’s working—and what isn’t—we hear stories that guide our programs and advocacy. A caregiver might tell us about the long drives for appointments. A retiree might describe how broadband access affects their ability to work from home or manage telehealth visits. A veteran might talk about the need for better local support services. Those stories become our compass.

Digital Tools: Staying in Touch Every Day
Our state website—aarp.org/wy—is your home base for all things AARP Wyoming. There you’ll find updates on legislative advocacy, details on upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and helpful resources for caregiving, fraud prevention, and healthy living.

We also send out a monthly e-newsletter featuring Wyoming stories, events, and alerts. If you’re not receiving it, you can sign up by visiting aarp.org/yes2email. It’s the easiest way to stay up-to-date.

And if you’re on social media, follow AARP Wyoming on Facebook. We post photos from events, highlight local volunteers, share fraud warnings, and invite you to join statewide discussions. It’s a great place to see what other members are doing in your area and to share your own experiences.

We also know that sometimes you just want to talk to a real person. You can always call us toll-free at 1-866-663-3290 or email aarpwy@aarp.org. Our small but mighty team in Cheyenne loves hearing from members and helping you connect with the right information or resource.

Volunteers: Our Ears and Hands in the Community
AARP Wyoming’s volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. They’re your neighbors, friends, and fellow members—and they help us stay in touch with communities across this vast state.

Our volunteer teams plan and host local events, speak with legislators, and help spread the word about resources for older adults. They also keep us informed about what’s happening on the ground, including new scams circulating, transportation challenges, and emerging needs for caregivers and veterans.

Thanks to their insights, we can respond more quickly and effectively. Our volunteers make sure AARP Wyoming doesn’t just talk about community—we’re part of it. If you’ve ever thought about volunteering, we’d love to have you join us. Whether you have an hour a month or a few hours a week, there’s a place for you on our team.

Media and Storytelling: Sharing Your Voice
We also work diligently to ensure that the stories and concerns of Wyoming’s older adults are heard throughout the state.

You might see AARP Wyoming in your local newspaper, hear us on the radio, or catch an interview on TV. Our goal is straightforward: to keep members informed, highlight local success stories, and ensure policymakers understand the challenges faced by older residents.

We love sharing stories of members who are giving back, overcoming challenges, or creating positive change in their communities. If you know someone who deserves recognition, let us know! Your stories inspire others to get involved and help show the power of Wyoming’s 50-plus community.

Let’s Practice 
So here’s our ask: keep talking to us. Tell us what’s working in your community—and what isn’t. Share your concerns, your ideas, and your successes.

In case you don’t know, that funny-looking box below is called a “QR code.” If you take out your phone, open the camera, and point it at the area, a small link will appear. That link will take you to a two-question survey. It’s a quick, easy way to share your thoughts directly with our team. Give it a try.

At the end of the day, when we stay connected, we make Wyoming an even better place to live, work, and age with dignity and purpose.

Thank you for reading, responding, showing up, and continuing to share your ideas and trust. Together, we’ll continue to build a Wyoming that works for all generations.