"Nothing in this business just happens," says Margaret Chase, Central Kentucky Radio Eye, Inc's Chairwoman and Executive Director.  "Planning ahead, having someone in your corner, and having a game plan are all a big part of success." 
November 11, 2009 has been named Radio Reading Service Day by Kentucky Governor, Steve Beshear.  Margaret began the process nearly one year ago by networking and talking to like minded individuals.  Radio Reading Service Day coincides with the 19th anniversary of the day the station went on the air.  Margaret, along with staff, volunteers, donors, and several others will travel to Frankfort to celebrate the day. 
"So much that comes out of these events is to reinforce with our listeners, donors, and volunteers that you're forward thinking and in good shape," says Margaret.
CKRE overcame tough times to get back to a place where they felt like they were in good shape.  Several years ago, CKRE faced moving from their longtime home, but was able to raise over $200,000 to not only move to a new location, but purchase all new equipment and furniture to outfit a control room, production room, live reading room, four booths and offices in September of 2008. 
"It's a given that we'll produce the most excellent, useful and helpful radio information service, but events are all about the money," says Margaret.  Successful publicity events like Celebrity Reader Week, which brings in authors, politicians and others from the community, dovetail into their fundraising strategy by occurring right before their annual appeal drops so that positive feelings about the organization are high just as the donation requests hit homes. 
CKRE began running daily airings of books read by volunteers on October 1st, a date that unexpectedly coincided with the loss of one of their major programming sources, In Touch Networks.  CKRE has also began taking Wall Street Journal from TIC Networks and has reprogrammed their satellite to receive Minnesota Radio Talking Book's feed.  In addition, they've add new locally created programming.  "The loss of In Touch was a forced opportunity to provide more local programming," says Margaret.   
CKRE is the only reading service in the state of Kentucky and Margaret's master plan has been to open satellite stations to cover the rest of the state.  Within the next few months, tests will begin to see if CKRE can serve the Louisville, KY area.  This will be no small feat for Margaret and her small staff but, as Margaret says, "Everyone, our staff and volunteers, always pull together to make the most out of every opportunity."
 

 

Entries for the 2009 IAAIS Program Awards are now being accepted.  Entry forms and complete descriptions are available at http://iaais.org/memberservices.html#awards or by calling 785-864-4625.