A full and accurate decennial Census count depends on good communication that encourages everyone to participate. Participation is critical because an undercount would have a big impact on adult education programs and on adult learners’ communities. As trusted community members, adult learners can be extremely effective messengers who provide information, promote Census completion, and clarify points of confusion or misinformation.

Participate in a Census Ambassador Train-the-Trainer Program

You can multiply the effects of your own messaging about the Census by providing Census Ambassador training for your adult learners. This trainer training program will show you how! The program includes a sequence of two webinars and a moderated community of practice.

In the first webinar, March 11, 2:00-3:00 eastern time, you will receive step-by-step instructions and all the materials you need to lead your learners and staff through a Census Ambassador training. You’ll be able to choose between two ways of carrying out the training: teacher-led in the classroom, and program-wide, with a staff person leading the training for all interested staff and learners.

As a participant in the first webinar, you will also be enrolled in a facilitated online community of practice. The CoP will allow you to pose questions to the trainer and share challenges, solutions, and effective practices with your colleagues.

The second webinar, April 15, 2:00-3:00 eastern time, will summarize lessons learned and provide a platform for you to ask questions and share strategies and successes.

Please plan on attending both webinars. There is no cost for this training, but you must register! If you can’t make one or both of the webinars, please register anyway, and we will send you a link to the recording of the webinar, as well as a copy of the slides. 

March 11 at 2:00 eastern — register here
April 15 at 2:00 eastern — register here

Encourage Your Learners to Become Census Ambassadors

As adult educators, we have a chance to share important information with our learners, so they can decide how to participate in this pivotal moment.  Census Ambassadors are able to speak knowledgeably about the Census and share why it matters. They are able to do the following:

• Understand and explain the basics of the U.S. Census — what it is, why we do it, and how it affects our communities
• Answer basic questions about the census questionnaire, such as Do I have to fill it out? Do I have to answer all the questions? Does it include questions about citizenship or immigration status? 
• Develop their leadership and speaking and listening skills by following through on the task of recruiting at least 10 people to take the Pledge to be Counted.
• Earn debit card prizes if they recruit at least 50 people to take the Pledge to be Counted.
• Receive a certificate acknowledging their role as a Census Ambassador
• Add this volunteer work and associated skills to their resume

Take the Pledge To Be Counted!

Individual teachers, tutors, and staff, take the Pledge To Be Counted.

Census Ambassadors, take the Pledge To Be Counted.

Adult learners and others, take the Pledge To Be Counted.