The city of Kenmore is seeking volunteers to serve on the Kenmore Census 2020 Complete Count Committee from May to April 2020.

The U.S. Constitution mandates a headcount every 10 years of everyone residing in the 50 states, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2020 national Census will start on April 1, 2020. This data is used in many ways, including:

Informing the distribution of more than $675 billion annually in federal funds for infrastructure and social programs; fairly providing for congressional representation in the U.S. House of Representatives and informing the redistricting of state legislative districts and assisting the city in making informed decisions for Kenmore.

According to a press release, the local Kenmore committee will work to:

Increase awareness and motivate all residents to respond to the census; leverage local community knowledge and relationships to create strategies and tactics to support the census’ goal of “counting everyone once, only once, and in the right place;” plan outreach efforts in Kenmore, with specific support for residents who often are underrepresented in the census, including communities of color, low-income households, immigrants, and young children; strengthen, or establish new relationships between the city and various agencies, organizations, and community groups throughout Kenmore, helping the city become an even more connected, safe, inclusive, and welcoming community.

Committee volunteers do not have to be Kenmore residents, but the city is looking for:

People who value community representation and civic participation; leaders and energetic members from local nonprofits, faith communities, schools, or other community organizations and bilingual volunteers with Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian or Tagalog language skills (language skills are not required to volunteer).

The time commitment for volunteers will be from May to March 2020.

From May through November, volunteers will attend one meeting a month, likely at night and work two to five hours per month outside of meetings to coordinate efforts, plan, conduct outreach. From January 2020 to March 2020, they will meet twice per month and work four to eight hours per month.

Anyone interested is asked to email Becky Range at brange@kenmorewa.gov or call 425-398-8900 by May 17.