DAYTONA BEACH -- Volusia County’s Complete Count Committee hit the ground running this month, launching a public-awareness campaign designed to make the 2010 Census the county’s most successful census ever, county spokeswoman Pat Kuehn said.
The committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Volusia County Sheriff’s Training Center, 3901 Tiger Bay Road, Daytona Beach. Chairmen of the eight subcommittees will present progress reports.
Although dozens of community representatives already have volunteered,many more hands are necessary to accomplish this once-in-a-decade snapshot.
“Volusia County belongs to us all,” said Joie Alexander, Volusia County Council vice chair and at-large representative. “Let’s all work together to make it the best place to be.”
Volunteers are needed for the intergovernmental, business, education, housing, community organizations, faith-based organizations, and migrant and farm workers committees. The marketing and communications subcommittee is fully staffed.
Committee members will coordinate educational efforts and address the special needs of the county’s diverse communities. They will promote awareness of the census and target historically under-counted populations such as the homeless, migrant workers, minorities, renters, and people living below the poverty level.
In mid-March, the U.S. Census Bureau will mail census questionnaires to every household in the United States. Residents are required to complete and return the short 10-question form by April 1.
Each year, more than $400 billion in federal funds will be allocated to state, local and tribal governments based on population. Census data
will be used to draw state legislative districts and determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives.
With the help of the Complete Count Committee teams, the goal is to exceed Volusia County’s 2000 census return of 67 percent, Alexander
said.
“The 2010 Census can be a great indicator that we’re doing it right in Volusia,” she said.
To volunteer, please contact staff liaisons Betty Holness at (386) 736-5920, ext. 2603; or
Pat Kuehn (386) 822-5062, ext. 2934. For more information about the U.S. Census, go to www.census.gov/2010census.
Media representatives are encouraged to attend the September meeting and become campaign partners by including 2010 Census information in news coverage, public service announcements and on their Web sites.