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viewsskirt! Flashback: Michelle Cyr
By Q&A by Chris Kuhn, Thursday, July 29, 2010
It's time for an update from another spectacular She's So Skirt! woman in our skirt! Flashback feature. For this month, we head back to December 2008 and senior advocate Michelle Cyr of AARP. At the time we interviewed her, she was knee-deep in organizing state-wide volunteer recruitment efforts through its Divided We Fail program.
So what's keeping Michelle busy these days? Plenty. And one especially bit of exciting personal news. Read on... but first, a brief look back at the original profile which ran during our special "I Resolve" issue. Let's catch up with this spirited coordinator.~Chris
Chris Kuhn (CK): What kinds of reactions and feedback did you get from your appearance in skirt! magazine?
Michelle Cyr (MC): Friends, family, co-workers, and fellow Divided We Fail volunteers were so excited to spot me in Skirt! that they immediately called to say they swiped multiple copies of the December 2008 publication to share with others. In fact, as recognition for my work on Divided We Fail and the coordination of our 2009 Annual Volunteer Recognition Meeting, my AARP Florida family presented me with a framed copy of my page in Skirt!. It is now prominently displayed in my office for all to see.
CK: At the time we spoke to you, the presidential election was the big topic of the day and your office was busy getting out to make your voice heard about such areas as healthcare, the economy and more as it pertains to seniors in particular. What has been your focus lately – has your professional role changed at all?
MC: Although my role has changed very little, my official title has. This past February, I was promoted to Associate State Director for Advocacy. Our advocacy efforts continue to focus on access to affordable, quality health care and lifetime financial security for all Americans. Passage of the new health care law was a huge success. Our focus now is to make sure people are aware of all the benefits this new law brings. We have a ton of information and materials about the new health care law available at www.aarp.org/getthefacts.
In addition to my work on the advocacy front, I have acquired an additional role recruiting and coordinating volunteers for Orlando@50+: AARP’s National Member Event & Expo September 30 – October 2 at the Orange County Convention Center. This high-energy, action packed event is a 3-day party where tens of thousands of AARP members, friends, and family gather annually to enjoy speakers, activities, live entertainment, and hundreds of vendors. A party of this magnitude takes massive man-power, which is why we have enlisted nearly 3,000 volunteers to help us out. To learn more about AARP Orlando@50+, visit www.aarp.org/events
.CK: You mentioned in our I RESOLVE profile that you were hoping to relax more, that you tended to find yourself over-analyzing everything, even when taking on a fun project like girls’ night out planning. How are you doing at that resolution a year and a half later?
MC: I haven’t got the “relax” resolution mastered just yet, but I have found some new ways to dissolve stress while having a bit of fun. I have discovered that fitness bootcamp isn’t as scary or dreadful as I once thought. It’s fun, liberating and physically beneficial. And of course, I still enjoy motorcycle rides with my friends, particularly ones that include a stop by my favorite beach hot spots.
CK: What else is new with you since we last featured you…anything new personally?
MC: I’m engaged! After 8 years of waiting for “the right time," I finally accepted my patient honey’s request for marriage. We are scheduled to tie the knot November of 2011.
CK: So what do you know now that you didn’t know then?
MC: It’s not just about the outcome, but the journey that gets us there. The things you learn and the people you get to know along the way are what make a successful outcome truly rewarding. Onward to the next challenge that awaits.
CK: What are you looking forward to most in the next 6 months or year?
MC: I’m really excited about Orlando@50+. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I look forward to having a great time working with the staff and volunteers who make it all possible. I also look forward to taking a nice little break after the event. Florida Keys, here I come!
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