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 us a wide range of tools to inspire our communities 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.go..., 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 participation in the census.

We can play an important leadership role in encouraging our communities to mail back their forms. Most 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, we have the opportunity to remind our area residents of the importance of mailing back their census forms.

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 community receives its fair share of federal funding. This funding includes resources for services, such as health care, education, and roads.

Community Members 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 participatation in the 2010 Census. Visit http://2010.census.go... now to see your area's 2000 Census mail participation rate and check the site daily for updates beginning March 22.

The 2010 Census: It's in our Hands.

Mike Hilliard - Director, Community Relations
HARBEL Community Organization
5807 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214
Web Site: www.harbel.org
Phone: 410-444-2100, FAX: 410-426-1140