By Angela Liu and Debra DeHaney-Howard
February 11, 2008

The Membership Standing Committee met January 23 during the U.S. Conference of Mayors 76th Winter Meeting. Piscataway (NJ) Mayor Brian Whaler, Chair of the Membership Committee, provided an update on the 2007 recruitment and retention campaign. Whaler lauded the committee members for their continued commitment and support of the Conference’s membership recruitment outreach, encouraging them to continue their aggressive membership efforts. Whaler said, “An organization is only as strong as its membership…so let’s go recruit.”

Committee members also discussed new strategies for reaching out to potential members, such as emphasizing the legislative support the Conference provides to the mayors in Washington (DC). Whaler used passage of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant as an example of recent activity of the Conference that benefits all cities. Whaler said, “Passages of the energy block grant signifies the strength of the organization and its membership.” Whaler encourages the mayor members continue to reach out to neighboring cities, informing fellow mayors of the important work the Conference does. “Like our President Douglas Palmer says, USCM is the sole organization that speaks for the mayors across America.” Whaler challenged the mayors to significantly increase the membership of the Conference of Mayors by the Annual Meeting in Miami.

Committee members also discussed the 2010 Census. Joining the committee members was Renee Jefferson-Copeland, Program Administrator, State and Governmental Programs for the Census Bureau. She briefed panel members on the 2010 Census and discussed how the Mayors can participate in the 2010 Census Challenge. Jefferson-Copeland noted that there will be three new questions which are useful planning tools for the cities added to the 2010 census: Health Insurance Coverage, Marital History and Veterans Service-Connected to Disability.

College Park (GA) Mayor Jack P. Longino raised the question of whether college students living in dormitories should be reported under their dormitory or permanent addresses, since college students live at school most of the time and uses the city’s utilities. Copeland answered, “Students should definitely be reported under the dormitory addresses and suggested the cities to work with college organizations to promote census awareness on campus.”

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory shared his experience in challenging the initial census estimates, thereby increasing the city’s population count, from the original 308,728 to 331,310, a 22,582 population increase. Mallory said, “For the first time in 50 years, Cincinnati has shown a growth in population.” Mallory shared that there are three challenge methods to the census housing unit method, certificate of occupancy and utility connection that Cincinnati adopted. The benefit of challenging the census include: encourage accurate counts, continue conversation with the Census Bureau to address concerns and encourage increased funding for demographic research. Mallory pointed out that 80 percent of the decisions of where to locate the retail stores are based on the census data and further emphasizes the importance of obtaining an accurate estimate.