The U.S. Census Bureau is challenging local government administrators to make history by helping boost the mail-back participation rates in their communities 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 questions on the 2010 census form, the Census Bureau is launching the "Take 10" campaign.

Local government administrators can play an important leadership role in encouraging residents to mail back their forms. The 2010 census questionnaires will be delivered beginning March 15, 2010. From the time the forms are delivered until the closing of the mail campaign at the end of April, managers and elected officials have the opportunity to remind residents of the importance of mailing back their census forms and the impact of the census on their communities. The Census Bureau believes that local officials can encourage participation through speeches, special events, and challenges.

The stakes are high; an accurate count of the local population helps to ensure that communities receive their fair share of federal funding. This funding includes resources for such services as health care, education, and roads.

Visit the Census Bureau Web site to get updates on the proportion of households that have mailed back the forms. You also can monitor the differences between your community's participation rates and neighboring communities or other areas of the country.

During the 2000 census, 72 percent of occupied households mailed back their forms. In 2010, communities are challenged to do even better. The bureau's campaign provides these tools to inspire people to meet the challenge:

• An interactive, map-based, "Take 10" Web site that allows local areas to track and compare their 2010 census mail-back participation rates. It will be updated on a daily basis. Also look up 2000 census participation rates at the site.
• An electronic toolkit is available that includes talking points, sample speeches, news 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.

Again, census forms must be completed and mailed back between March 15 and April 15, 2010. U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert Groves reminds managers and elected officials that the 2010 census questionnaire with the 10 questions is one of the shortest in history.