MindsEye Information Service Radio Reader, January 2008

Marjorie Williams
Executive Director

January is a great time to take a look at the past year to survey our accomplishments for the year and to look toward the year ahead and all the opportunities that lay at our feet. Thank you for your support in making 2007 a stellar year for Minds Eye.

Last year, we launched a new website, www.mindseyeradio.org, which has allowed us to connect with our potential listeners, volunteers and donors in a way we have never been able before. It is quite possible that many of you who read this now found us for the first time by visiting our new website. As I look to the future, we see so much more that is possible for the site that will become a reality in 2008. Plans are in the works to provide Minds Eye’s programming online to our listeners. We hope to be streaming and archiving our programming by the middle of the year, which would make Minds Eye available to people who are blind and print disabled all over the world! You may be asking yourself how a blind person uses the internet. Many of our listeners utilize screen readers that read exactly what is on the screen so they can navigate through their desktops, the internet and more. Since most of the people using this technology are Baby Boomers or younger, we will have some special online only content directed at this age group as well as our other quality programming.

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From The Executive Director's Desk	Over 160 new listeners began using Minds Eye in 2007. Currently, our listeners are coming to us from a 50-mile radius of St. Louis. This will be expanding in 2008 because of a move that our host station, WMVN 101.1 FM, is making. In early 2008, our broadcasts will be heard by a greater area, improving the strength of our signal in places like St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, and Clinton County and Bond County in Illinois, among others. It is so exciting that we will become a benefit to those potential listeners in the rural communities of the Greater St. Louis area. I hope that this time next year, I will be reporting over 300 new listeners to you! The people who really do the bulk of the work here at Minds Eye have gotten stronger too. In 2007, we gained 42 new volunteers to help read, do clerical work, plan our special events and more! In 2008, we expect not only to add new volunteers, but thanks to the efforts of new Community Resource Specialist, Kathleen Gutting, and Program Director, John Weidlich, our volunteers have learned new ways to improve their programs and reading voices. Many have done so well that we have nominated them for awards of excellence from the IAAIS, the International Association of Audio Information Services. Keep your fingers crossed that these great volunteers are honored at the annual awards ceremony in May of 2008. I’ve said it before and I don’t know how many more times I’ll say it, but all of us here at Minds Eye could not provide these high quality readings of magazines, newspapers, books and retail ads without your generous support. Thank you so much for continuing to make this dream that began in 1973 a reality, and I pray for the best for you in 2008.	Minds Eye Welcomes New Community Resource Specialist In her new position as the Community Resource Specialist, Kathleen Gutting is responsible for managing volunteers, events and community outreach. This includes serving as an information source for volunteers, coordinating fundraising events and producing public relations materials for Minds Eye. Prior to coming to Minds Eye, Kathleen worked as the Promotions and Special Events Coordinator for Harrah’s St. Louis Casino & Hotel. During this time, she created, planned, implemented and evaluated casino events in order to reach revenue goals and provide optimal guest experiences. Kathleen also had several jobs and internships that prepared her for her position with Minds Eye, including: Communications Intern for Voices for Children of Greater Cleveland, Director of Promotions and Outreach for D3TV Student Television, Sponsorship Assistant for Clear Channel Entertainment, and Assignment Desk Intern for FOX 2 News in St. Louis. Kathleen holds a Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana where she studied communications, vocal performance, and psychology. She currently serves West County Toastmasters as the Vice President of Membership and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Valley Park as a cantor and Wedding Coordinator. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, traveling, writing and spending time with family and friends.
Marjorie Williams Executive Director January is a great time to take a look at the past year to survey our accomplishments for the year and to look toward the year ahead and all the opportunities that lay at our feet. Thank you for your support in making 2007 a stellar year for Minds Eye. Last year, we launched a new website, www.mindseyeradio.org, which has allowed us to connect with our potential listeners, volunteers and donors in a way we have never been able before. It is quite possible that many of you who read this now found us for the first time by visiting our new website. As I look to the future, we see so much more that is possible for the site that will become a reality in 2008. Plans are in the works to provide Minds Eye’s programming online to our listeners. We hope to be streaming and archiving our programming by the middle of the year, which would make Minds Eye available to people who are blind and print disabled all over the world! You may be asking yourself how a blind person uses the internet. Many of our listeners utilize screen readers that read exactly what is on the screen so they can navigate through their desktops, the internet and more. Since most of the people using this technology are Baby Boomers or younger, we will have some special online only content directed at this age group as well as our other quality programming.
mindsEye...bringing printed words to life

Minds Eye Welcomes New Community Resource Specialist

Minds Eye Welcomes
New Community
Resource Specialist