VoicePrint's Volunteer Open House and Public Forum, held on Thursday, May 1, was a great success. The event was held in honour of National Volunteer Week (April 27 - May 3).

Among the day's highlights:

Public forum with VoicePrint listeners:

Linda Tennent of Mississauga, and Janet Gardiner, of Toronto (pictured below with friends John Morgan, and Ester Vikor, VP volunteers Gayne Braun and Dianna James, and producer Phil Agnello).

Said Arlene Patterson, Director, VoicePrint Operations: "Our volunteer readers are continuously asking for feedback from their listeners, and so as a unique tribute to their work we invited Janet and Linda to give us their candid opinions and suggestions."

In response, both listeners highlighted the importance of the service, and how much they appreciate the fine work of VoicePrint's volunteer readers.

Added Linda to the volunteers: "You are the people that make it all happen. Without you, people like me, with no vision to read, would not have access to all these papers. You recognize the need in the community; you give generously of your time; and you unselfishly make the commitment. For making my life richer, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart."

Listen to an excerpt from the upcoming interview with Linda Tennant. (wav)

Listen to an excerpt from the upcoming interview with Janet Gardiner. (wav)

Hear excerpts from the forum on Contact on May 18.

Public forum with representatives of publications VoicePrint reads from:

Patrick Fothergill, an editor at The Walrus magazine, and Steve Houston, Regional Managing Editor of Toronto Community News (both are pictured below with VP producer Yasmin Benhan).

Both guests expressed their thoughts on the role the printed word has in society at large and the part VoicePrint plays in making the printed word accessible to everyone. A wide-ranging discussion followed that touched on, among other things, how newspapers and magazines will survive in the digital age.

Hear excerpts from the forum on Contact on May 25.

Pictured: Linda Tennant, Janet Gardiner, friend Ester Vikor and producer Emily Harding

Pictured: Patrick Fothergill, Steve Houston and producer Yasmin Benhan