State Data Center Steering Committee Nominations

Posted on December 17, 2021 Updated on December 18, 2021

The SDC Steering Committee wants YOU- to be part of our team. 
Now is the time to nominate yourself or someone else for a three-year term. There are three open seats for the 2022-2024 term.  

We are looking for SDC network colleagues motivated to serve the data user community, partner with the Census Bureau, and represent our States’ interests with the Census Bureau. Employees of SDC Coordinating Agencies and State Lead Agencies are all eligible. New Steering Committee members will be chosen through a general election held in January. Those elected will begin their terms in February.

How to nominate.

A nomination must include a brief biography, and concise answers to the following: For the brief biography: Where does the nominee work?  Any special professional interests?  Relevant related professional or program roles?What special perspective or goals would the nominee bring as a Steering Committee member?What aspects of the SDC program do you value most? If you are nominating yourself, please answer all questions.If you are nominating someone else – with their permission – please answer questions 1 and 2. Please e-mail completed nominations to Michael Moser, michael.moser@uvm.edu, by December 31^st, 2021.

What does the SDC Steering Committee do?

The Steering Committee consists of nine members, elected to represent the 56 states and territories enrolled in the State Data Center Program. Per SDC Steering Committee By-Laws, section 2. the Steering Committee advises the Census Bureau on the administration of the State Data Center Program; assists the Census Bureau in supporting decennial censuses and other surveys and programs; works with the Census Bureau to plan and conduct the Annual Training Conference; and improves the flow of information and ideas among member agencies and between member agencies and the Census Bureau. In plain language: We’re here to serve the data user community, partner with the Census Bureau, and represent our States’ interests in Census. If you are elected to the Steering Committee, you are signing up for monthly Steering Committee conference calls,and an expectation of volunteered time on committee initiatives, webinars, and other small projects.  Before nominating yourself, determine whether you have the time and job-flexibility to contribute.  Steering Committee members need to work for organizations that support these time commitments. 

There are typically three trips a year for in-person meetings; however, there is always a possibility that these meetings may be held virtually.  These trips are usually 3 days in length.  The Census Bureau fully covers Committee Members’ transportation, hotel and expenses (based on federal per diem rates) for the in-person meetings. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Coats, or any member of the Steering Committee.

Upcoming election. The Steering Committee election will be held during the first weeks of January.  Every State Lead Agency has one ballot to cast. Additional details on Steering Committee eligibility, term, and election can be found in the Steering Committee Bylaws, section 4.

2020 Steering Committee Election

Posted on December 20, 2019 Updated on January 3, 2020

During the first weeks of January, the State Data Center Steering Committee holds its annual election. There are five candidates seeking election to the Steering Committee, competing for three open seats. Each candidate has answered questions about his/her background and priorities. Candidate statements are here:

Alfred Sundara (Maryland)

Walter Schwarm (California)

Erica Gardner (Washington)

Gregg Bell (Alabama)

Mallory Bateman (Utah)

Our election administrator has distributed vote instructions to all State Leads through BallotBin.com. Only the State Leads can vote. We will follow-up with reminders. Your specific candidate selections are protected as confidential by BallotBin.com.

Balloting will be open for 10 business days, concluding on Friday, January 17, 2020. Vote before then please.

If you are the main contact for one of the 56 State Lead agencies and have questions about the voting process, please contact the election administrator: Bob Coats bob.coats@osbm.nc.gov

Call for SDC Steering Committee Nominations: Nominate by Dec. 20

Posted on November 13, 2019 Updated on November 13, 2019

Nominations are now open!

The Steering Committee consists of nine members, elected to represent the states and territories enrolled in the State Data Center Program. Three members’ terms end each year, and three members are elected (or re-elected). We have vacancies due to departures of long-serving members.

Nominate yourself, or someone else. We are looking for SDC network colleagues who are motivated to serve the data user community, partner with the Census Bureau, and represent our States’ interests in Census. Employees of SDC Coordinating Agencies and State Lead Agencies are all eligible.

New Steering Committee members will be chosen through a general election. (see below.) 

Those elected this winter will begin their terms in February. This will be an in-person meeting. The Census Bureau fully covers Committee Members’ travel expenses.

How to nominate.

A nomination must include a brief biography, and concise answers to the following:

1. For the brief biography: Where does the nominee work? Any special professional interests? Relevant related professional or program roles?
2. What special perspective or goals would the nominee bring as a Steering Committee member?
3. What aspects of the SDC program do you value most?

• If you are nominating yourself, please answer all questions.
• If you are nominating someone else – with their permission – please answer questions 1 and 2.

Please e-mail complete nominations to Todd Graham (todd.graham@metc.state.mn.us) by December 20, 2019.

The real story.

If you are elected to the Steering Committee, you are signing up for monthly Steering Committee conference calls, and an expectation of volunteered time on committee initiatives, webinars, and other small projects. Before nominating yourself, determine whether you have the time and job-flexibility to contribute. Steering Committee members need to work for organizations that support these time commitments. 

There are also three trips a year for in-person meetings. These trips are usually 3 days. The Census Bureau fully covers Committee Members’ transportation, hotel and expenses.

Upcoming election.

The Steering Committee election will be held after Christmas and during the first two weeks of January. Every State Lead Agency will have one ballot to cast.

Nomination directions are above. Additional details on Steering Committee eligibility, term, and election can be found in the SDC Steering Committee By Laws, section 4.

What does the SDC Steering Committee do?

The Steering Committee consists of nine members, elected to represent the 56 states and territories enrolled in the State Data Center Program.

Per SDC Steering Committee By Laws, section 2. the Steering Committee advises the Census Bureau on the administration of the State Data Center Program; assists the Census Bureau in supporting decennial censuses and other surveys and programs; works with the Census Bureau to plan and conduct the Annual Training Conference; and improves the flow of information and ideas among member agencies and between member agencies and the Census Bureau.

In plain language: We’re here to serve the data user community, partner with the Census Bureau, and represent our States’ interests in Census.

If you have any questions, please contact Todd Graham, Bob Coats, or any member of the Steering Committee.