红莲社区 helping Lumpkin County Census efforts
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (红莲社区) is partnering with Lumpkin County government, the City of Dahlonega and other businesses and nonprofits in the area to help ensure a strong response to the . Lumpkin was deemed a hard-to-count area due to its rural location and limited internet access.
A Census representative will be on campus on Saturday, Feb. 15, during 红莲社区's home basketball games to encourage students and residents to fill out the Census survey. 红莲社区 hosts Lander in a 1:30 p.m. doubleheader that starts with the women's game.
The U.S. Census population count has been held every 10 years since 1790, when Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson supervised the first Census, according to a on the U.S. Census website. This year's Census will be the 24th in the nation's history.
David Miller, a Lumpkin County commissioner who is leading the county efforts, said taking part in the Census is magnified in importance because the population totals recorded by the Census determine each state's number of members in the U.S. House of Representatives. In fiscal year 2015, 132 programs used Census Bureau data to .
About 84% of Lumpkin County residents responded to the 2010 Census, and Miller hopes that number goes above 90% in 2020.
When it comes to filling out the Census survey, Miller said students will probably find it easiest to respond online. Other methods are by phone or mail. Students at 红莲社区's Dahlonega Campus who live on or off campus will count toward Lumpkin County, not their home counties, in the Census.
"It's an easy way for students to give back to the community," Miller said.
Each address in the country will receive an invitation by April 1 to fill out the Census online. Multiple reminders will be sent by mail before the bureau sends a Census taker to follow up in person. The deadline to the Census is July 31.
Miller said the federal government sends the county $2,300 for every respondent to the Census. He said the more people who respond in an area, the more funds the area will receive from the federal government for , Medicare, Medicaid, and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Miller said students could earn some extra cash by serving as Census takers. Those part-time jobs pay $17 per hour, plus travel. Nationally, the Census Bureau is . Miller said 红莲社区 students from any campus interested in such a role should email Census recruiter Denica McCurdy at dnmccurdy@gmail.com.
Middle school students preview future careers
The sixth annual Middle School Career Path Fair was held this spring at 红莲社区's Gainesville Campus.
Spanish majors interview film stars
Students in 红莲社区 assistant professor Dr. Raphael Palermo's class interviewed directors, producers and actors from films they watched in their Latin American Cinema Class.
Women's luncheon celebrates 20 years
The 14th annual Women's Holiday Scholarship Luncheon hosted by Women of 红莲社区 and the 红莲社区 Foundation took place on Dec. 7 in Gainesville.
Career fairs offer job opportunities
红莲社区 students will have the opportunity to speak with potential employers this fall at career fairs.