Neighborhood Ambassador

Newsletter

Homeowner Edition December 2014

A Week in the Life of a Neighborhood Ambassador An interview with Bryce Rowe, Area 3 Ambassador

What does a typical week of work look like for you? There is no typical work week that I have experienced and that is the best part. We have weekly meetings but I get to pick when to work various activities such at knocking, tabling, and newsletter articles.

Tell us a little more about what you do when you go knocking. When I go knocking I go to the section of the my area that I split with my partner. Then I go door to door talking to neighbors that are mostly glad to hear about our program. I then field any complaints or problems they might have which isn't usually much. After, I leave them with a Newsletter and go on my way! How do you deal with complaints that you receive about student renter neighbors? When we get a complaint my partner and I head to where it came from. We then start by talking to the neighbors around the complained house and taking their perspectives. After, we talk to the house and work with them to find a comfortable solution to where there will be no more problems. We offer advice, tips, and our readiness to mediate between the neighbors and complained house.

I know that the Neighborhood Ambassadors, for the most part, work in teams? Tell us a little bit about what this entails? We like to work together as much as possible, although we don't have actual teams. I have a partner that I split my area with and we also go to complaints together. I'm also a part of the events committee where I work with a few other ambassadors to plan different neighborhood events.

What is one thing that you’ve learned so far from your experience as an am-bassador? I used to think differently about the homeowners that I've meet in the neighborhood. I used to think that they didn't like the students around them and loved to get them in trouble. From meeting a lot of them, I know that they are nice and that they were once students. They understand what it's like to be young, and a lot even attended the university themselves.

What is your favorite part of being a Neighborhood Ambassador? My favorite thing about being an Ambassador is that I get to be a help to both students and homeowners, making the University District a friendlier community.

Snow has fallen and freezing temperatures are upon us just in time to remind us that shoveling season has begun.

Missoula City Ordinance states sidewalks must be shoveled by 9 a.m. Monday through Friday and by 12 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays , and holidays following a snowfall. The full length and width of the sidewalks next to your property must be cleared of snow in addition to handicap ramps at intersections. Deposit shoveled snow into the adjoining yard or boulevard between the sidewalk and street. All snow, ice, slush, mud, or any other impediment or obstruction must be cleared and accumulation of the above must be prevented. Sand or de-icing agents (or chipping or by other safe and efficient means) must be used to remove any ice on sidewalks or any public use easement. Please use environmentally friendly deicers such as calci-um chloride. Do not use deicing agents on sidewalks 2 years or newer.

Please note that everyone is better off when you take responsibility and keep your share of the city sidewalks clear. Don't forget to schedule someone to take care of this for you if you will be out of town. In the event that sidewalks are not clear, the city maintains the right to clear it for you and bill you at a minimum charge of $64.00.

Extend a hand to your neighbors who are in need of assistance with shoveling. The infirm and elderly are most commonly in need of assistance and could certainly use your help; or you can refer them to the following:

Missoula Aging Services (406) 728-7682

UM Office of Civic Engagement (406) 243-5531

Imagine Missoula (406) 546-4697

Human Resource Council 2-1-1

To report unshoveled sidewalks please contact Missoula Development Services at (406) 552-6630 or visit www.ci.missoula.mt.us/SidewalkSnowForm

Snow Shoveling By Darlene Beeks, Area 2 Ambassador

Many University of Montana students and Missoula community members are affected every day by the UM student gov-

ernment, but how many actually know what ASUM – the Associated Students of the University of Montana – does? To

start with, ASUM is a student government organization that oversees over 190 student groups, multiple agencies and an

annual budget of over $1 million. The organization is overseen by an executive board of three individuals – a President,

Vice President, and Business Manager – and an elected student senate of 26 undergraduate and graduate students from a

wide variety of academic disciplines. They vote on UM legislation concerning a wide array of issues, from student parking

to cyber bullying and environmental causes. In March of every academic year, the Senate also goes through its annual

budgeting process, wherein it distributes funds for the transportation agency – among the largest student-run bus net-

works in the United States – the Off-Campus Renter Center, Legal Services and Childcare, to name a few.

If you want to get involved with ASUM, run for a Senate seat or Executive position in the spring! Student-at-Large posi-

tions are also available; check out www.umt.edu/ asum for more information.

Getting to Know ASUM

By Chase Ellinger, Area 3 Ambassador

Holiday Decorating Contest By Hunter McClure, Area 2 Ambassador

The Neighborhood Ambassadors are kicking off the first annual holiday decoration

competition in the University District. Student renters and homeowners are encour-

aged to light up their houses from now until December 20th in order to win a fantas-

tic holiday gift basket! To participate in this festive contest, simply take a photo of

the outside of your home and email the photo to us at:

NeighborhoodAmbassadors@mso.umt.edu or contact us at 406-243-2017 and we

will come take a photo for you. Voting for the contest will take place on Facebook. To

vote search “UM Neighborhood Ambassadors” and click the ‘like’ button on your fa-

vorite photo. Photos with the most “likes” will be the winners. Happy Holidays!

Snow shoveling cartoon by David Kelly, Area 4 Ambassador

Ambassadors are here to help!

Please contact us with any questions or if you need assistance with a neighbor dispute!

Neighborhood Ambassador Program:

Phone: 406-243-2017 Email: NeighborhoodAmbassadors@mso.umt.edu