Get in touch
555-555-5555
mymail@mailservice.com
2020 VISION: AN ACCURATE CENSUS STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES
Sep 08, 2019
Hopefully, the summer of 2019 was a fun and memorable one for all! There are so many great things to do in our state during the summer, and my family and I were able to enjoy several across Ohio: baseball games, county fairs, amusement parks, visiting family, and so much more!
Since my last CCE Ohio blog, the state budget passed, and it was a great one overall for strengthening Ohio’s families and communities. While businesses found much to like (and some to dislike), this was the most child-friendly budget in state history. Thank you for all you did, as several members signed on to our letters to legislators and Barbie Lange spoke up on the importance of improving foster care and children’s service funding, as it will serve to strengthen the current and future workforce.
As my previous blog noted, 2020 will be here before we know it. Certainly, the nip of fall and the upcoming schedules of football games, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and marching band competitions are timely reminders the calendar will soon flip.
As 2020 will be a Census year, and communities everywhere are developing plans to ensure everyone is counted, I wanted to share with you some resources you may find helpful. First, there is ReadyNation’s
This report contains a few examples and suggestions as to how communities and businesses can work together to ensure everyone is counted. Ohio’s
provides updates on state and local Complete Count Committees as well as a link to Census job opportunities. Information about the questions being asked, and why, can be found on this page
While chambers of commerce have been leading efforts in communities to encourage a complete count during many prior Censuses, the 2020 Census presents significant new challenges. First, instead of receiving forms in the mail, residents will receive postcards telling them how to fill out their form online, providing a link. (As many as three may be sent periodically in 2020.) A postcard has the potential to be overlooked, and many may be concerned it might be some type of scam. Some, particularly the elderly, may not have Internet access and/or a comfort level with cyberspace to participate. They may need a trusted friend or family member to assist.
Also, to allay concerns about being required to provide personal information, the Census Bureau only collects name, address, date of birth, and demographic data. The Census does NOT ask for Social Security or other identification numbers, let alone any other type of personal financial information. As a reminder, the information collected is kept private for 72 years and is only publicly available in statistical (aggregate) form from this Census until 2092.
Lastly, there are the usual privacy concerns about government agents coming to people’s homes and onto their property. This desire to be left alone is as old as America itself, but the best way to remain left alone is to fill out the Census accurately when the postcards start to arrive.
As we get closer to the count date of April 1, 2020, there will be public service announcements on TV, online, in newspapers, radio, and other forms. No one expects the local chamber of commerce to carry this burden alone. I am personally excited to be participating in the Census campaign by working with both the business leaders of
and the other organizations under our
umbrella. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to learn more.
Gratefully,
Michael
U.S. Chamber's Institute for Organizational Management Scholarship OPEN for CCEO Members! Winter Session- January 4-8, 2023 in Tucson, AZ.
Top 10 Membership Retention Actions to Take!
Fellowship Provides State and Local Business Leaders with Opportunities to Engage Nationally on Critical Education and Workforce Issues
Many, if not all, chambers of commerce set membership goals based on the number of new members they plan to recruit each year. They may or may not understand the cumulative impact of retention and attrition over time. Membership retention and growth is a math problem, not guesswork. You must do the math before you make a plan. If you don’t, you and your Board of Directors will likely make unrealistic decisions regarding your growth and run the very real risk of staff burn-out.According to [...]
Skilled workers were crucial before the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re needed even more as we recover.Dave MoravecLike most states and regions, Ohio and Colerain Township have felt serious impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. While our governor and his team received praise for their decisive early actions, certain businesses and industries may have a tough road back from resulting economic losses; for some, the return could be a long one. While businesses start to re-open, it is unclear where t [...]
I continue to be impressed with the hard work and dedication of local chamber executives, not just in promoting your communities as a great place to do business, to raise a family, and to visit, but also in going the extra mile make it so. In carrying out these awesome responsibilities, there is something taking place next year for which participation, backed by your support, can help all our communities continue to thrive.It’s hard to believe, but we’re only a few, short month [...]
A message from Michael Harlow, Ohio State Director, ReadyNationIt was a pleasure to meet many of you at Winter Conference. There were great conversations at our table, during the speed sponsorship, and at meals and during presentations. It was an all-around positive experience which lays the groundwork for future engagements. I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events and meeting other Chamber executives. We were excited to add seven chamber executives as ReadyNation members!&nb [...]
Many suburban and rural Chambers of Commerce operate on tight budgets with no more than two paid staff. If that’s the case for you, then spending a lot of time chasing new members isn’t necessarily the answer. You may very well end up churning through members and burning yourself out at the same time.At the CCEO Winter Conference last week, I asked a room full of Chamber Execs how many of them operated with only one or two paid staff. The overwhelming majority raised their hands. The [...]
A couple of weeks ago, I learned from a detective at a local police department that someone had attempted to open a business account at a high end electronics store and a couple of business lines in my name. The perpetrator had my social security number, driver’s license number, and home address.I can’t really say that I was angry. Identity theft is far too commonplace for me to believe that I am somehow exempt. Part of me was just plain disgusted. All I could do was shake my head an [...]
With tax time in full swing, it’s easy to get swept up in the chaos of this busy season. However, this chaos undoubtedly contributes to the uptick in email scams trying to take advantage of businesses. We are here to help prevent this from affecting your business through education. Button Text [...]