What is Read Initiative?

This is an invitation from a friend to join in a new way you contribute (should you choose to) to create an effective, empowering, long lasting positive changes using leverage of group effort.

What is READ Initiative about?

Very often schools in “less privileged” areas do not have basic textbooks that children can read and have access to.  “READ Initiative” is aimed to be one year group project focussed on school / community centre libraries. 

Note: Operating model is described below.

With the sole aim to provide these children with good books, our READ group will focus on:

• Identify and liaise with the schools where school library is required and will be useful
• Provide relevant books as per the requirements particular school/ institute  for their library
• Collect and manage contribution from its members to buy required books

How will READ operate and what will it do?

Operating Model:

READ TEAM Composition:

• Core Team
• Local Champions

Core Team:

• Core team is a group of 10 people
• Each team member is committed for 1 year for the contribution
• Everyone contributes Rs 500 to Rs 1000 per month for 12 months
• Core team members take up various roles explained below

Local Champions:

• Local Champions are people who may form the part of the core team but would be based in India to help with logistics. They would also be front end contact with the schools.
• Local Champions help buy the books, get them bind and deliver to the school.
• Any member on their trip to India is welcome to become local champion for that particular assignment.
• Currently we have local champions for Delhi and Mumbai. More people can join to be local Champions
• Local Champions do not have to contribute monthly amount. We appreciate that they are giving their valuable time and putting themselves in the front line.

Books Logistics:

Buying books:

• Core Team members and Local Champions to use their local contacts collectively to ensure correct purchase and value for money for the books bought.

When, where will the coordination take place?

• A yahoo email group for general communication within the READ Team.
• READ Team would have access to each other and are free to communicate one to one.
• Conference calls (via phone or cell) could be organised every month/ 6 weeks to share ideas, decide on schools, review reports etc.
• Communications and Project lead (see below) would be responsible for most formal communication

What is in for ME?

• Because YOU Can Make a Difference.
• A chance to get actively involved, contribute to a bigger cause and make new friends.
• It is a time bound project and therefore you have a option to decide whether to continue further

How can I contribute?

Financial Contribution:

• Any amount between INR 500- 1000 per month as you wish by 10^th of the month.

Active contribution

• By actively taking role in the organising and managing the group.  The roles and responsibilities would be mutually agreed and could be on rotational basis.
• Volunteers  are needed for following Key Roles:

Role	Details	Volunteer Name
India Coordinator	Coordinate with Schools, Local Champions, Read India
Books Coordinator	Key person working with schools/Read India to select the books. Sends bimonthly reports.
Finance Coordinator	Manages the records of funds collected and disbursement.  Sends bi-monthly financial audit reports.
Project Lead	Manages the team, schedules meetings etc
Marketing  and Communications Lead	Team Communication, Marketing etc

Current Members of the READ TEAM:

CORE Team:

Name	Email	Mobile	Location
YOU

Local Champion:

Name	Email	Mobile	Location
YOU