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by chassan from Houston

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HOUSTON READ COMMISSION
Jul 21, 2008 | 9:30 PM
Category: News
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THE HOUSTON READ COMMISSION NEEDS TO DO SOME READING

A nonprofit Houston organization that provides free literacy and adult education programs and services is being criticized by the Better Business Bureau for ignoring BBB requests for information about what it's doing with its money.

Appointed by City Council and the mayor, the Houston Read Commission spent over $2 million, according to its latest publicly filed federal tax return, with over $1 million left in the bank.




The Better Business Bureau says, "Despite written BBB requests in the past year, this organization (Read Commission) either has not responded to BBB requests for information or has declined to be evaluated in relation to the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. While participation in the Alliance charity review efforts is voluntary, the BBB believes that failure to participate may demonstrate a lack of commitment to transparency."

The BBB  says, "Without the requested information, the BBB cannot determine if this charity adheres to the Standards for Charity Accountability."

Maybe someone at the Read Commission could read the BBB's request for information and supply it with the requested financial information.

Fox 26 news anchor Jose Grinan is a member of the Read Commission




4 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 4
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mik1of3 read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 9:47 AM

Why should they? Basically what the BBB is saying is, "If you don't give/tell us what we want, then you MUST be hiding something."

The BBB should butt out of the Read Commission and tend to the other myriad of businesses that require their attention... the pool companies, the roofing companies, the cell phone companies, etc...
The BBB is not a government entity and no one has to answer to them for anything. Of course, if you don't, then they have the power to appear on a newspaper front page, a news program or a news blog trying to smear you if they don't.
heat0181
Jul 22, 2008 | 1:54 PM

I have to agree with Chassan. The request for information by the BBB is standard request for businesses and charities. Why IS the Houston Read Commission not replying? They say they are non-profit - do they have something to hide?
PBMom read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 5:24 PM

Any charitable organization or public entity that uses taxpaying money is open to scrutiny of how their funds are used. Private companies are not. Personally I want to know that the money I am giving to a charity is actually going to the people who need it (i.e., the percentage of what is considered "overhead", what percentage goes directly to the needed communty).
chassan read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 9:02 PM

Mlk1of3,

Since the Houston Read Commission accepts both taxpayer money and donations from various community sources, they should be willing to be as open as possible, not only to encourage confidence in the organization's operation, but also to further spread word about the commission's work.

Heat0181,
I stand with you.

PBMom,
Maybe Jose Grinan will do something about it, maybe not. Oh, Jose!
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chassan

I love reading books, seeing movies, staying up with current events, running and watching what I eat most of the time--got to stay healthy. I blog here in my spare time, mostly late at night and in the early morning hours.

Member Since: 3/24/2007


 

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