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 handle specific tasks. This organizational structure seems to work particularly well in large, multicounty metropolitan areas. In a typical situation, a subcommittee prepares a preliminary proposal for census tracts, BGs, CDPs, or other requested geographic areas using the Census Bureau’s specifications, standards, criteria, and/or guidelines. In large multicounty metropolitan areas, a subcommittee often exists for each county. The subcommittee submits its proposals to the full CSAC, at which time each member has an opportunity to review and discuss all preliminary proposals and make recommendations for modifications. This in-depth review is an important part of the process because it helps to ensure that the proposal takes into consideration all important local statistical requirements. The Census Bureau assumes that all submitted recommendations have the approval of the majority of the CSAC.

The Census Bureau considers a CSAC to be an independent body representing a wide variety of public and private agencies and organizations, and it requires that all CSACs maintain an open membership policy and include a broad spectrum of local data users. The Census Bureau recommends that a CSAC be composed of at least five individuals who represent more than one agency in the community. For these reasons, the CSAC organizer should provide opportunities for all interested local agencies, organizations, and private citizens to participate. Often, the most effective members of a CSAC are people affiliated with agencies that use small-area statistics in the planning and operation of their organization. Typically, CSAC members are involved in city, county, and regional government agencies such as planning commissions, councils of government, public transportation authorities, boards of education, local housing authorities, health departments, police departments, welfare agencies, and boards of election. Other CSAC members often come from organizations such as chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, social agencies, church federations, real estate boards, banks, savings and loan associations, newspapers, radio and television stations, public utilities, advertising agencies, market research groups, 3-8Sources of Local Assistance