What is AARP doing about Y2K?

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I finally received a response to my inquiry to AARP about what they are doing...

My question to them:

Y2K is very disquieting to a lot of folks. Some people may take advantage of this upset to scam older people. What is AARP doing about this?

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Thanks for the e-mail. I apologize for the delay in responding. We've been overwhelmed with messages and short on staff to answer them.

AARP, like many organizations and companies, is keenly aware of the Year 2000 or Y2K computer problem. We are taking every step to ensure that the services we provide our members are not affected. We are also working with government agencies responsible for programs which support the interest and well being of our membership. We will be addressing this important issue in future issues of the Bulletin and Modern Maturity.

President Clinton has established The President's Council on Year 2000 conversion to help solve the Year 2000 challenge. AARP is working with the US Department of Labor in a campaign to recruit retired computer programmers. It is hoped that through this concentrated effort, companies throughout the nation will be able to locate the qualified workers they need to solve the computer glitch. For additional information, please go to the Year 2000 Website at www.y2k.gov.. This site is linked with a Y2K database connecting employers and qualified applicants.

AARP's current effort is to promote the government's outreach efforts by including information at its website: www.aarp.org, in its publications, and through other opportunities such as a video news release.

Thanks again for using AARP Online.

Betty at AARP

-- Karen Cook (browsercat@hotmail.com), December 10, 1998

Answers

Sounds like you wasted your time, Karen.

-- Nabi Davidson (nabi7@yahoo.com), December 10, 1998.

It's a start Karen. Good try.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 10, 1998.


The AARP issued a report in October on Y2K. It's called "Beating the Bug -- Computer Glitch Likely to Sting But Not As Fiercely As Some Feared".

http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/oct98/2000bug.html

Basically, the AARP feels contingency plans will take care of most problems. Their biggest fear is that scam artists will use Y2K to defraud the elderly.

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), December 10, 1998.


AARP stands for what, exactly?

-- Leo (leo_champion@hotmail.com), December 10, 1998.

Leo,

It stands for "American Association of Retired Persons". They're a potent lobbying force in the U.S. on issues that are important to the elderly.

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), December 10, 1998.



Hi Karen: I received almost the exact same reply from AARP when I was trying to get them to act 3 months ago. I gave up. There is a poster on this ng named Holly who has continued her efforts with AARP, and from her postings seems to have gotten involved with meetings other attempts to alert the membership. Perhaps she will read this post and respond.

-- Bill Solorzano (notaclue@webtv.net), December 10, 1998.

Hi, Bill! I'm taking your "bait!" Last Aug. I went to the monthly AARP Chapter luncheon/meeting here in Tacoma. (At 73, I belong to national AARP--for the insurance bargains--but do not belong to the local chapter.) I next offered to do a Y2K presentation, they took me up on it, and I did so in October. There were some 60 present, and all had knowledge of Y2K...no hands were raised when I started by asking if any did not know about it. Actually, just that week the monthly AARP newspaper had come out with a front page article re Y2K. In March, I will be part of a 4-person panel (at a large Christian Bible and Book store--Pastor Chris, too) and will again emphasize senior preparedness by seniors themselves, and urge those with elderly parents to help them. It appears AARP is "on board" and I'm very glad about that! We need to continually promote awareness, but the bottom line is individual responsibility. "Uncle" is not going to become "Santa Claus" re Y2K! Sigh....Lord help us!

-- Holly Allen (Holly3325@juno.com), December 10, 1998.

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