Memorandum
City of Lawrence
City Manager’s Office
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TO: |
David Corliss, City Manager Craig Weinaug, County Administrator
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FROM: |
Emily Jackson, Management Intern Lisa Patterson, Communications Manager
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CC: |
Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Pam Madl, Assistant County Administrator
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Date: |
April 9, 2009
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RE: |
Formation of a 2010 census joint complete count committee
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Background
Every decade since 1790, the U.S. Census Bureau has conducted a constitutionally mandated census to determine the number of people living within the United States and our territories. These data are used to help make decisions on behalf of all residents, including reapportionment and redistricting. Census data also affect how more than $300 billion in federal funds are distributed to tribal, state, and local governments each year.
One of the primary goals of the 2010 Census is to increase the national mailback response rate to reduce cost and increase data accuracy. The U.S. Census Bureau is asking tribal, state, and local governments, as well as community and business organizations to help achieve high mailback response by bringing local knowledge and expertise to the process.
The Complete Count Committee is a major vehicle for planning and implementing local, targeted efforts that will uniquely address the special characteristics of a community. The role of the Complete Count Committee is to plan and implement local outreach efforts to publicize the importance of the 2010 Census.
The following is from the U. S. Census Bureau material on the 2010 Census and Complete Count Committee.
“A Complete Count Committee is a team of community leaders appointed by the highest-elected official to develop and implement a locally-based outreach and awareness campaign for the 2010 Census. Community-based organizations can also establish CCCs that reach out to their constituents.
What does a Complete Count Committee do?
This CCC's primary focus is to promote the 2010 Census in a particular community and to ensure that every resident in that area is counted. Community leaders are most qualified to understand the best way to reach all populations that reside in their area. The team is also best suited to mobilize community resources in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.
Some examples of CCC activities include donating space for testing and training of temporary census workers, publicizing recruiting efforts and obtaining endorsements from local leaders. They can also conduct census rallies or parades, media luncheons, and interfaith breakfasts and weekend events as we get closer to Census Day.”
Local option
After reviewing the information provided by the U. S. Census Bureau, one option is appropriate for the city and county to form a joint complete count committee for the 2010 census.
Committees vary by community and are driven by a community characteristics, the necessary element for a local Complete Count Committee is a chair or co-chairs appointed by the highest elected officials.
Recommendation
The Lawrence City Commission and the Douglas County Commission should jointly form a 2010 Census Complete Count Committee. As part of the formation, the charge and the recommended committee members should also be approved. The Mayor and Chair of the County Commission should each appoint a co-chair who will work together to execute a local outreach campaign to drive participation in the 2010 census.
The charge of the CCC will be to mobilize community resources in the most efficient and cost-effective manner to drive participation in the 2010 Census. The goal is to help every County citizen understand the census process and importance of being counted; focus on hard to count population and motivate residents to respond to census questionnaire. The recommended CCC make up is listed below.
City Commission Action
Receive the staff memo and approve forming a local Complete Count Committee. Future mayoral appointment of CCC co-chair.
Committee Members: (20-25 members)
· Education
o USD 497
o USD 348
o USD 491
o USD 343
o USD 434
o USD 450
o USD 289
o USD 287
o University of Kansas
o Haskell Indian Nations University
o Baker University
o Head Start
· Media
· Faith-based
· Community groups; For example, LAN, League of Women Voters, United Way, Landlord Association
· Lawrence Douglas County Housing Authority
· Government
o Douglas County
o City – CMO and Planning staff
o City of Baldwin
o City of Eudora
o City of Lecompton
o Townships
o Public Transit Advisory Committee
o Community Development staff and advisory board
Following is an outline to help organize the CCC actions. In summary a two prong approach could be utilized 1) use traditional outreach to increase awareness of census count and time the outreach to early 2010 2) use a truly grass roots approach to reach university students, elderly, the rural population and others less likely to be reached by mainstream media. Grass roots to include faith based institutions and k-12 students to influence family participation.
Committee will be staffed by representatives from both the City and County (one each).
Strategy:
Developing a strong local story about why census data is important to Lawrence will be key for grass roots. Request that local leaders that are impacted start telling their story as motivation for citizen participation in the 2010 Census.
Audiences:
Need to identify Lawrence and County populations likely to not participate For example, University students, elderly, rural.
General population: use traditional media including newsletters, water bill/property tax messages, website, channel 25 and news releases
Timeline:
Committee will meet once every three months. An approximate schedule of meetings and topics to be covered is as follows:
April 2009—Mayor/Commission Chair jointly appoints
May 2009—committee meeting
o Develop a list of barriers to completion of count
o Develop a list of businesses who may sponsor census activities
o Brainstorm outreach/education strategies
Aug. 2009—committee meeting
o Approve materials and distribution
o Plan for release of information in Fall 2009
Oct. 2009—committee meeting
o Plan for future outreach of information in early 2010
Jan 2010—questionnaire mail out begins
Committee Work items:
Connect uses of census data to local impacts; federal funding
Recognize local barriers to being counted
Develop and deliver messages to target audiences
Communicate privacy of census data
Promote questionnaire mail-out
Encourage residents to participate in census and cooperate with census workers