Are
you up for the "Take 10" challenge?
On behalf of
the U.S. Census Bureau, we are challenging every elected official to join us in
making history by helping to boost the mail back participation rates across the
Nation and in your community during the 2010 Census.
During each
Decennial Census, the Census Bureau undertakes the count of every person
residing in the United States, as mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S.
Constitution. To encourage everyone to take 10 minutes to answer the 10 simple
questions on the 2010 Census form, we are launching the "Take 10"
campaign. Through "Take 10," you can visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/ to
get updates on the proportion of households that have mailed back the 2010
Census forms. You also will be able to view differences between your
community's participation rates and those of neighboring communities or other
areas across the country.
The
"Take 10" Challenge - Tools to Inspire the Mail Back Participation
Rates for the 2010 Census
During the
2000 Census, 72 percent of occupied households mailed back their forms. In
2010, we are challenging communities to do even better. The Census
Bureau's "Take 10" campaign gives you a wide range of tools to inspire
your community to meet our challenge. These include:
 | An
interactive, map-based, "Take 10" Web site that allows local areas
to track and compare their 2010 Census mail back participation rates, which
will be updated on a daily basis at http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/,
and to look up their 2000 Census participation rates. | An
electronic
toolkit is available which includes talking points, sample speeches, new
releases, newsletter copy, event suggestions, flyers, stickers, and doorknob
hanger templates, and more. | Suggestions
on how to use friendly competition with other communities to inspire your
community to participate in the census. | |
As an elected
official, you can play an important leadership role in encouraging your
constituents to mail back their forms. The 2010 Census questionnaires are
delivered from March 15-17, 2010. From the time the forms are delivered
until the closing of the mail campaign at the end of April, you have the
opportunity to remind your constituents of the importance of mailing back their
census forms and the impact of the census on their communities. We believe
that you can encourage participation through speeches, special events, and
challenges.
The stakes
are high; an accurate count of the local population helps to ensure that your
constituents receive their fair share of federal funding. This funding
includes resources for services, such as health care, education, and roads.
Your
constituents must complete and mail back their census forms between March 15,
2010 and April 15, 2010. The good news is that the 2010 Census
questionnaire is one of the shortest in history-just 10 questions that only take
about 10 minutes to complete.
We
hope we can count on you to encourage your community to participate in the 2010
Census. Visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/
now to see your area's 2000 Census mail participation rate and check the site
daily for updates.
The
2010 Census: It's in our Hands.
Sincerely,
Robert
M. Groves
Director
U.S. Census Bureau