Neighborhood Ambassador Application

What is a Neighborhood Ambassador?

Neighborhood Ambassadors are volunteers passionate about advancing the quality of life for their neighbors. These on-the-ground local leaders partner with the city to help close the information gap between the city and residents, build community through gatherings and projects, and connect neighbors to each other and to community resources. Ambassadors are the eyes, ears, and voices for their corner of North Liberty.

Ideal ambassadors are community minded, value diversity, and recognize the importance of information equity.

How many ambassadors are there?

Around 45 ambassadors. Ideally, each neighborhood has at least one representative. Additionally, we aim to have a volunteer serving each of North Liberty’s senior living facilities and recruit language ambassadors to strengthen the city’s communication with residents who are English language learners.

What exactly do ambassadors do?

Ambassadors help disseminate city news, alerts, and announcements about opportunities to residents in whatever form of communication works best for their neighborhood. While Facebook or Nextdoor posts might do the trick for one neighborhood, flyers or letters might work best for another. The communications department will work with each ambassador to establish the most efficient and effective way to share information with their neighbors. And communication is a two-way street. We encourage ambassadors to share their neighbors’ individual and collective concerns, ideas, and the good things taking place in their neighborhood with city leadership.

Ambassadors may also choose to coordinate gatherings for their neighbors like a book club, block party or visit from the North Liberty Library, or recruit people to paint a storm drain, build a Little Free Library or form a welcoming committee.

What’s in it for me?

  • A network of 40 to 50 fellow ambassadors. Meet new friends and build connections throughout the city with in-person and virtual ambassador meetings and events
  • Access (if you choose) to personal and community development opportunities, such as implicit bias and emergency response training, at no expense to you
  • Tours of city facilities
  • Be in-the-know of city happenings through ambassador communications
  • Pride in bringing your neighbors closer to one another
  • A greater understanding for how the city works, and the faces behind each department

What is the time commitment?

Currently, ambassadors report spending 3 to 5 hours a month participating in the program and engaging with neighbors. We recognize that this is a volunteer role and the amount of time you can commit to being an ambassador will fluctuate week to week and month to month. Our asks of you will vary based on community happenings, too. We do have a standing quarterly meeting as a group that last an hour and a half.

For urgent news–like weather or safety alerts–we expect our ambassadors to help us spread the word quickly. An overview of expectations is below. Generally, you can decide how often you’d like to coordinate neighborhood projects or block parties and can work on them whenever fits your schedule. The same goes for sharing non-urgent city news (remember not to leave grass clippings in the streets, recreation registration opens next week, etc).

Expectations of Ambassadors

  • Reside in city limits
  • Attend quarterly meetings
  • Join Nextdoor to receive city updates and connect with neighbors and become a Nextdoor Lead for your neighborhood.
  • Follow the City of North Liberty on your social media (we’re on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram)
  • Subscribe to city email announcements
    • North Liberty Bulletin (monthly)
    • News (5-10/month)
    • Road closures and project updates (as needed)
    • Emergency alerts (as needed)
  • Share relevant city news, updates, welcome packets and other provided resources with neighbors
  • Enable neighborhood activities (we have Neighborhood Grants to help with this)
  • Be knowledgeable of area social services
  • Be knowledgeable of city departments and connect residents to the appropriate contacts to address questions
  • Welcome new neighbors to the area
  • Be a role model of Good Neighbor practices
  • Be responsive to ambassador/city communication

As the program develops, expectations may adjust.

Wait, are you asking me to be the neighborhood enforcer?

Absolutely not. Ambassadors are charged with heightening the community spirit in their neighborhood and to be approachable to answer general city questions (do I need a permit for this? how do I switch my trash can size?). The city does not expect ambassadors to mediate grievances between neighbors. Although, we do hope that in time the good work ambassadors do leads to residents being more informed and connected to each other so respectful and productive conversations can naturally take place (hey, your dog has been barking a lot lately and it is scaring my kids. Can we find a way to all enjoy our backyards?)

Interested?

You can apply at any time. If there isn’t a vacancy for your neighborhood, we’ll still notify your neighborhood ambassador that you are interested in possibly becoming a co-ambassador or have your contact information handy if the volunteer role becomes available. To view the current roster of Neighborhood Ambassadors and the neighborhoods with vacancies, click here.

Applications are accepted online through the link below or pick up a paper copy at the City Administration building at 3 Quail Creek Circle. Contact outreach and equity coordinator Micah Ariel James with questions at [email protected] or (319) 640-8172.

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