On November 9, 2019, Philly Counts 2020 is hosting a free, full-day summit focused on planning and mobilizing census engagement actions in Philadelphia.
Join Philly Counts for the Action Leaders Summit
People who have completed the Census Champion training are invited to participate in the Action Leaders Summit to further advance their community engagement skills. The free summit will include workshops and discussions about how we can actively work together as Philadelphia residents to encourage census participation in our communities. After completing the Census Champion training and Action Leaders Summit, participants will possess the tools and knowledge needed to relay accurate and relevant information regarding the census to their own communities and beyond.
Philly Counts 2020 will welcome featured speakers from the following organizations:
- AARP
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice
- Hispanic Federation
- Keystone Counts
- NALEO Educational Fund
- National LGBT Task Force
- National Urban League
The itinerary includes panels and breakout sessions designed to help community leaders plan for 2020 Census count engagement action at the neighborhood level. You can register for the summit online.
What’s at stake in 2020?
The 2020 Census will determine how federal funds are distributed throughout the country for the next 10 years. The distribution of this funding impacts the ability of local organizations and programs to meet the needs of Philadelphia residents. The results of the 2020 Census also impact how and where economic growth occurs throughout Philadelphia. Many businesses use data from the U.S. Census Bureau to decide where to open new stores. An accurate census count can impact economic activity and job growth throughout the city.
An undercount is when the actual population is greater than what the census count reflects. Over the course of a decade, Philadelphia loses approximately $21,000 in federal funding per individual that is not counted in the census.
Who is at risk of being undercounted in the 2020 Census?
People of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, children under five, individuals over 50, people experiencing homelessness, and immigrants are all considered to be “hard to reach” groups. Hard to reach populations have been historically underrepresented in the census. Misinformation, distrust of the government, lack of internet access, and other factors may create barriers for these groups to participate in the 2020 Census.
Philly Counts is working to make sure that hard to reach individuals are included in the 2020 Census by taking action to increase information accessibility, debunk rumors, and inform the public about why the census is relevant to their own lives.
Are you ready to lead?
Members of the public who are interested in attending the Action Leaders Summit must complete the Census Champion training, which is a prerequisite to signing up for the summit. Anyone who has not attended a Census Champion training session in person can complete the training online at FactSumo or by watching the PhillyCAM recording.
The Action Leaders Summit will be held at South Philadelphia High School, located at 2101 South Broad Street. Early registration is encouraged, but registration will be available at the door until seats are filled. Each attendee will receive complimentary breakfast, lunch, snacks, and a swag bag with the Action Leaders kit.
