Houston Read Commission
Mailing Address: 5330 Griggs Road, Box 75
5400 Griggs Road
Houston, TX 77021
Contact: Sheri Foreman
Phone: (713) 640-8204 Fax: (713) 640-8204
Email: Sheri.foreman@houread.org
Updated as of: 11/2/2009
LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR CREATION AND OPERATION(City)
City of Houston Ordinance No. 88-93, as amended, originally passed January 20, 1988 and codified in Section 2-360, et seq., of the Code of Ordinances.
GENERAL POWER AND DUTIES
A. Receive and maintain property to use for charitable, scientific, educational and literary purposes;
B. Solicit funds for literacy providers and activities in the City;
C. Advise the Mayor and Council on proposed literacy projects to be publicly funded;
D. Oversee the management and investment of solicited funds;
E. Generate awareness of the extent and ramifications of functional illiteracy within the City;
F. Recruit volunteers and students for literacy support organizations, as well as monitoring progress;
G. Encourage and expand new approaches and programs to promote literacy;
H. Assist in enriching the lives of Houstonians and enabling them to reach their full potential by helping them become literate;
I. Formulate and submit to the Mayor and Council, in December of each year, a report on literacy projects Commission funds;
J. Find organizations, facilities and resources to promote literacy;
K. Offer technical assistance and training to individuals and organizations to increase and improve literacy services;
L. Establish pilot or demo programs needed to fill gaps in service delivery system, particularly for underserved and at-risk groups.
MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
The second Tuesday of every other month (with one regular meeting occurring during the months of June, July and August, to accommodate summer schedules)
Time: 8:00-9:00am
Location: Houston Community College (Main Campus), 3100 Main, 2nd Floor
COMPOSITION
Twenty-four members
Positions 1-17- Appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council.
Position 1 - HISD superintendent or representative.
Position 2 - Houston Community College president or representative.
Positions 3-9 - Representatives of business sector.
Position 10 - Representative of higher education in the City.
Positions 11-12 - Representatives of media or communications industry.
Positions 13-14 - Representatives of volunteer organizations in the City with an interest in literacy. The Mayor shall consider civic, religious and other similar organizations.
Positions 15-16 - Representatives of literacy service providers.
Position 17 - Representative of public employment and training sector.
Positions 18-22 - Interested citizens of the City appointed by city council.
Position 23 - City Librarian.
Position 24 - County Librarian.
TERM: Three years (staggered) - Two consecutive term limit. Positions 1-2 - No set term unless filled by a representative (if so, 3 years). Positions 1, 4, 5 and 7 require City residency.
CHAIRPERSON: Elected by the membership.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Entity is NOT included in the financial reporting for the City of Houston. Required to take an Ethics Course.
MEMBER LIST