The US Census Bureau now has funds available for you and your team for the purchase of promotional items for functions that you will be having for your communities from January through March of 2010.

To get these funds you will need to turn in a request form for these funds. This is free money and I hope you will take advantage of the offer. The deadline for submitting your request is December 15, 2009.  But, since the Application must be reviewed by your Partnership Specialist before it is forwarded to the Dallas RCC, please have you Applications to Bob Aguilar by December 1, 2009.

The Application for requesting these funds is available by emailing or calling the Partnership Assistant (PA) Bob has assigned to your county.  See the list below for PA County assignments.  The PA will email you the Application.  Please complete the application and mail it to to return address provided in the email.  Be sure to include all of the applicable documents with your application.

Partnership Assistants

Vicki McCracken

Counties:  Brown, Gillespe, Llano, Runnels, Sterling and Sutton
Phone:  (325)206-0347
Email:  v.mccracken.2010@gmail.com

Scott Heiser

Counties:  Coke, Coleman, Irion, Mason, San Saba, Schleicher, Tom Green
Phone:  (325)206-0307
Email:  sheiser.2010@gmail.com

Elaine Rodriguez
Counties:  Comanche, Concho, Crockett, Kimble, McCulloch, Menard, and Mills
Phone:  (325)206-0329
Email:  emrodriguez.census@gmail.com

Local volunteer committees driving participation in their communities

Complete Count Committees (CCC) are forming across the country to spread the word about the importance of the 2010 Census and to motivate every resident in their community to complete and return their 2010 Census questionnaire.

Made up of state, local and tribal governments, and/or community leaders, CCCs are one of the core strategic elements of the 2010 Census. Committees often include a cross section of community representatives — including government agencies, education, business, faith-based organizations and the media — and aim to address the various racial, ethnic, cultural and geographic considerations of their communities.

Kenneth L. Stewart, Ph.D. Sociology Program Director at Angelo State University, is the Chairperson for the Tom Green County Complete Count Committee.

Using local knowledge, expertise and influence, CCCs plan and implement census awareness campaigns that address the special characteristics of their communities. Local campaigns are designed to reach traditionally undercounted populations by stressing the importance of an accurate census count, including how data are collected and used.

Since the 1980 Census, CCCs have played a major role in raising awareness of the census among all groups and populations through various activities. From now until May 2010, CCCs nationwide are implementing key activities, which often include:

* Holding events, such as a Census Day “Be Counted” Parade, that generate interest and participation.
* Distributing census information and materials through Web sites, newsletters and at events.
* Partnering with organizations in their communities to include census messaging in their communications.

A number of CCCs are already in place in cities nationwide, and more are forming each day. Those interested in organizing a committee should call their regional census center or visit 2010.census.gov.

ABOUT THE 2010 CENSUS

The 2010 Census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Census data are used to distribute Congressional seats to states, to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year and to make decisions about what community services to provide. The 2010 Census questionnaire will be one of the shortest in history and consists of 10 questions, taking about 10 minutes to complete. Strict confidentiality laws protect the confidentiality of respondents and the information they provide.

By two o’clock in the afternoon on September 6, 2009, 400 people were either wearing a 2010 Decennial Census sticker or carrying a Census book bag at St. Mary’s Church’s Annual Fall Festival. St. Mary’s Church is in the heart of one of the hardest to count census areas in San Angelo. Elaine Rodriguez, a Census Bureau Partnership Assistant and a member of St.Mary’s Church, had the opportunity to share information about the census with her Spanish speaking church-family, most of whom reside in the barrio where the church is located. Elaine was supported by two other Partnership Assistants who also handed out goodies and answered questions about the census.

Our biggest surprise was the large number of young Hispanic men and women asking questions about the “2010 Decennial Census.” What was it? Why are you here talking about the census? Why do you have to count everyone? Do you have to count undocumented people. How does the Census work? And the list goes on.

We were very impressed with the level of interest in the 2010 Census and what it means to the Hispanic community in San Angelo.

Now that Partnership Assistant training is done and everyone has returned home, next week will begin the process for PAs.  Only the PSs know what is really in store for the PAs so next week is extremely important to getting this part of the process off to a great start.