Page:Geographic Areas Reference Manual (GARM).pdf/60

 wide variety of public and private agencies and organizations, have extensive knowledge about the development of an area, its communities and neighborhoods, population shifts, land use, and other information pertinent to establishing or updating small-area geographic units. Moreover, they are in the best position to identify and resolve any conflicting local needs regarding the specific structure of the small areas for which both the Census Bureau and local agencies present data.

The Census Bureau offers guidance on effective techniques for establishing CSACs. If requested, the Census Bureau will send a technical expert to speak at the formative meeting of a new or reactivated committee and to (1) advise them on the operating procedures other CSACs find successful, (2) explain the types of work the Census Bureau expects them to perform, and (3) describe how they can participate in the Census Bureau’s geographic programs. In return, the Census Bureau requests that the CSAC provide information regarding its membership, and that it participate meaningfully in the geographic preparatory work for the Census Bureau’s programs.

The Census Bureau does not pay for any CSAC expenses; the work is all voluntary. For the local data user community, the primary benefit of the involvement of local committees in the geographic areas definition process results from the development of small, statistically significant areas of local interest for the presentation of census data. The fact that such local entities are statistically meaningful also helps both the casual and the national user. Further, as a result of their long-term familiarity with the Census Bureau’s geographic programs, the members of the committees are in a position to acquire an understanding of the associated Census Bureau procedures. This enables them to serve as a conduit of accurate information from the Census Bureau to the local data user community. The committees also assist in keeping the Census Bureau informed of local data user needs.

Experience suggests that the statistical areas work is accomplished most effectively when a CSAC establishes small working subcommittees to Sources of Local Assistance3-7