Job Descriptions
Reader
Job Description and Requirements
Description:
There are five categories of readers. Most new volunteer readers begin as substitutes with the optino to move into a permanent spot. Readers may request a transfer of position and/or program at any time.
Weekday Newspaper Reader - Read selected articles from two newspapers aloud live from 8-11 a.m. on a team with other readers.
Weekend Newspaper Reader - Read selected articles from two newspapers aloud live from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on a team with other readers.
Weekly Program Reader - Record articles from various magazines and newspapers aloud once per week in one-hour or two-hour segments.
Book Reader - Record from a new or St. Louis focused book in one-hour segments. Books are expected to be completed within two months of start.
Substitute Reader - Fill in for regular weekday and wekend newspaper and weekly program readers on an as-needed basis according to their schedule.
Qualifications:
- Readers must have a pleasant voice and a superior reading aloud skills.
- Readers must pass required audition. During review of required auditions, the reviewer looks for a clear voice, good tempo, diction, inflection, professionalism, volume, pronunciation, etc.
- Once accepted as a reader, volunteers are expected to adhere to the quality standard set in their audition.
Requirements:
- All readers are expected to pre-read and prepare reading materials prior to recording their program.
- Readers are prohibited from making editorial comments on the air.
- Readers are required to read materials exactly as they are printed, without substitution of words or ideas. Readers who are uncomfortable reading certain materials, ideas, words, etc. must make this known to their supervisor prior to their first reading assignment.
- Readers should always strive for extreme professionalism when they are on-air.
Time Commitment:
- Weekday newspaper readers typically read one day per week on the same weekday each week. For example, a reader may read every Wednesday.
- Wekend newspaper readers typically read one weekday per month. For example, a reader may read the second Saturday of each month.
- Substitute reader schedules vary based on need and their schedules.
- Schedules described above are typical but not mandatory. Schedules may be adjusted to fit the individual needs of the volunteer reader.
- A two hour per month time commitment is required, regardless of schedule.
Listener Outreach
Job Description and Requirements
Description:
- Call listeners to complete a ten minute, pre-scripted survey that covers shows they like and do not like, demographic information, general satisfaction with the service, etc.
Qualifications;
- Cheerful phone presence.
- Clear and pleasant voice.
- Superior listening and conversation skills.
- Ability to communicate well with the elderly and handicapped.
- Ability to keep all information confidential.
Requirements:
- This volunteer opportunity may be done from home or at Minds Eye. However, training and the first several assignments must be completed at Minds Eye and at-home work must be approved by the designated supervisor.
- Volunteer must record responses on the provided survey.
- Surveys provided to volunteers must be completed and returned to Minds Eye within one month. Once completed a new set of surveys will be provided.
- Volunteers must ask every question on the survey and follow the script carefully. Omitting or adding questions is strictly prohibited.
Time Commitment:
- A four hour per month time commitment is required, typically completed in two, two hour segments.
Clerical Volunteer
Job Description and Requirements
Description:
Clerical volunteers assist with various office duties. The potential volunteer may discuss their specific role with their supervisor before beginning. This role may be focused or varied depending upon volunteer requests and agreement with the clerical supervisor. Possible jobs may be but are not limited to:
Filing - Pull active files and move them to inactive files for listeners and volunteers that no longer listen or volunteer. Create and file new files and information.
Typing - Use a typrewriter and/or computer keyboard to make labels for file folder, address labels for new radios, and other forms and letters.
Computer Work - Work with database to verify addresses and status of listeners.
Volunteers may enter and delete listeners from the database and work with Microsoft Excel and Access files.
Telephone Work - Call listeners to check on the status of their radios. Locate listeners and their family members to retrieve radios no loner in use.
Receiver Packaging - Assist in the intake and output of receivers to listeners. Verify if the radio is working and prepare radios to send out and to store.
Qualifications:
Qulifications vary by specific clerical assignment(s). The following are required qualifications for all clerical volunteer positions:
- Excellent communication skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Good organizational skills.
- Cheerful demeanor.
Ideally, clerical volunteers must meet the following criteria:
- Volunteers must be fully mobile to complete the majority of clerical tasks. Exceptions may be made for individual assignments at the discretion of the clerical supervisor.
- Ability to run an electric typewriter.
- Excellent computer skills and typing accuracy.
- Ability to utilize and navigate the Internet, using search engines such as Google and Yahoo.
- Ability to learn and operate a database.
- Good writing and editing skills.
Requirements:
- Clerical volunteers must be able to come to Minds Eye to complete their assignments.
Time Commitment:
- A minimum eight hour per month time commitment is required, typically completed in two hour time segments on a mutually agreeable day once per week.
Technical Volunteer
Job Description and Requirements
Description:
Technical volunteers assist with special projects related to technical aspects of Minds Eye's broadcasts. While their specific assignment will be tailored to their interests and abilities.
Check Equipment - Visit nursing homes, hospitals or retirements centers in volunteer's area that have Minds Eye equipment to check that systems are working properly.
Radio Repair - Assist in repairing radios, harvesting broken radios for parts and diagnosing problems.
Post Production - Use digital editing software to enhance the quality of programming.
Qualifications:
- Ham radio enthusiasts or those with a technical background are ideal candidates.
- Interest and understanding of close circuit radio and/or digital technology.
- Knowledge of basic electrical and software subjects.
Requirements:
- Volunteers must be fully mobile to complete the majority of technical tasks.
- Exceptions may be made for individual assignments at the discretion of the technical supervisor.
- Clerical volunteers must come to Minds Eye to complete the majority of their assignments and may be asked to work off-site within the Minds Eye listening area.
Time Commitment:
- A four hour per month time commitment is required of technical volunteers. This can be completed in two, two hour segments or one segment, depending on the length and depth of the project.
Special Event Committee Member
Job Description and Requirements
Description:
- Assist in the planning and organizing of special events.
- Each committee member will serve in one or several capacities of their choice and may perform one or more of the following tasks:
- Donation Procurement - Identify ptoential event donors, typically for in-kind donations of items; submit requests for donations and follow-up on requests.
- Sponsorship Procurement - Identify potential event sponsors; submit sponsorship requests and follow-up on requests.
- Public Relations and Outreach - Identify community and media contacts and advertising opportunities for event; submit public relations requests; assist in creating public relations materials and contact lists.
- Logistic - Create and implement plans for smooth event implementation.
- Currently, events which may require committees include trivia night, Soiree pour la Vue (auction and wine tasing in winter season), and Beepball (blind baseball tournament in spring season).
Qualifications:
- Planning enthusiasts are ideal candidates.
- Creative energy and a willingness to try new things.
- Candidates should be well-organized.
- Enjoy working in groups; ability to engage others.
- Good communicator.
Requirements:
- Attend all event committee meetings. Typically, there is one meeting per month for six months prior to the event. Additional meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the chairperson or co-chairpersons.
- Provide support to committee and/or sub-committee as assigned.
- Complete assignments related to events on time.
- Confer with supervisor(s) regularly regarding progress.
- Attend event.
- Willingness to complete requirements listed in the Special Event Volunteer job description, if necessary.
- Perform post-event evaluations to ensure continued success.
Time Commitment:
- The time commitment and length of position is subject to the role assumed within the committee and work habits of the volunteer.
- The majority of committee work is completed outside of meetings.
Special Event Volunteer
Job Description and Requirements
Description:
- Work alongside volunteers and staff at events to contribute to successful implementation of events.
- Duties may include but are not limited to event set-up, registration, selling tickets for drawings and contests, announcing, meeting and greeting guests and clean-up.
- Duities commonly occur on-site at the event, but may also include pre-event, off-site assistance, such as sorting and packaging event donations, writing and sourcing trivia questions and organizing decorations and/or equipment.
- Currently, events which require event volunteers include trivia night, Soiree pour la Vue auction and wine tasting in winter season), and Beepball (blind baseball tournament in spring season).
Qualifications:
- Enjoy working in groups; ability to engage others.
- Volunteers must be fully mobile and able to lift 10-20 pounds to complete the majority of event implementation tasks. Exceptions may be made for individual assignments at the discretion of the supervisor.
- Ability to make decisions and provide leadership.
Requirements:
- Ensure that event attnedees learn about Minds Eye and enjoy the event.
- Complete all assignments given to volunteer by supervisor(s) that are specific to the duties required of the position.
- Notify supervisor(s) at least 24 hours in advance if volunteer is unable to come to event. Exceptions will be made by the supervisor(s) for emergencies only.
Time Commitment:
- time commitments are for specific dates and times if the assighment is on-site, on the event date.
- Off-site, pre-event assighments are typically completed at Minds Eye on a date that works well with the volunteer's schedule. Some pre-event duties may be completed from home at the discretion of the supervisor(s).
- The majority of assignments will be four to six hours in length.
Business Outreach Volunteers
Job Description and Requirements
- Approach businesses in a professional manner to assist Minds Eye in procuring program underwriting or donations and sponsorships for events.
- Maintain strong communication with supervisor(s) and Minds Eye staff to ensure information provided to businesses is consistent and accurate.
Qualifications:
- Candidates should be well-organized.
- Good communicator.
- Ability to work independently and with little supervision.
- Ability to talk to others with ease.
- Good at developing and nurturing business relationships.
- Connections to local businesses desired.
Requirements:
- A background in relationship and/or loyalty marketing is desired, but not requried in all situations.
- Meet with supervisor(s) and other volunteers once monthly for duration of projects to provide updates and strategize.
- Send regular updates to supervisor(s) regarding progress.
- Gentle persuasive manner desired; volunteers should not be overly pushy.
- Professional dress required when visiting businesses.
Time Commitment:
- Time commitment and length of position depends on duties assigned.
- The majority of work is completed independently. Therefore, the time commitment will largely depend on the schedule and work habits of individual volunteers.
- Typically, an assighment will last three to six months, require one, two hour meeting per month and individual work.
Community Outreach
Job Description and Requirements
Description:
- Represent Minds Eye at community events, such as health fairs, hospitals, volunteer fairs and other community outreach events. Typically, volunteers will work in groups of two to four for each assignment.
- Volunteers will be supplied with all materials needed for representation of Minds Eye and trained as necessary.
- Volunteers will attend the community events and provide information to attendees about Minds Eye.
- Volunteers may be asked to serve on a specialized outreach committee, such as the Speakers' Bureau, if identified as having strengths in certain areas. Details of such special committees will be provided to these individuals.
Qualifications:
- Friendly and outgoing personality; enjoy talking to others.
- Good public speakers are ideal for this role.
- Understanding of basic facts about Minds Eye and a willingness to learn more.
- Good communicator.
Requirements:
- Generally, business casual dress is required.
- Arrive at all community events on time.
- Complete set up at Minds Eye booth with provided materials.
- Ability to lift ten pounds.
- Maintain Minds Eye booth throughout course of event, replenishing materials.
- Answer questions about Minds Eye and highlight important facts.
- Clean up after events and return booth materials to Minds Eye.
Time Commitment:
- Job is ongoning but sporadic in nature.
- Assignments are typically two to four hours in length.
- Time commitment for special projects will vary by assignment.
Newspaper Producers
Job Description and Requirements
Description:
- Select, cut out, and prepare articles for morning newspaper program using the St. Louis Post- Dispatch and the Belleville News Democrat.
- Organize articles into Minds Eye newspaper sections and program folders.
- Follow all guidelines listed in the Producer Manual.
Qualifications:
- Well organized.
- Ability to scan articles fairly quickly.
- Punctual and reliable.
Requirements:
- Arrive at Minds Eye on time.
- Gather newspapers from the mailbox outside of Minds Eye.
- Closely follow guidelines listed in Producer Manual and work with supervisor(s) to clarify and ask questions.
- Complete at least the front page folder and provide to readers prior to 8 a.m. All other folders must be provided to readers at least five minutes prior to the segment. corresponding to that folder.
Time Commitment:
- Arrive at station by 7:30 a.m. on assigned day.
- Most Newspaper Producers will volunteer once per week, on the same day each week. Newspaper Producers may also choose to serve as a substitute.
- Typically, this assignment takes two hours to complete.
