Update 08/14/11: See below for responses so far from various chapters.
This survey is intended to help figure out how much collaboration exists between JETAA chapters and the Japan-America Societies in their area.
It comes on the heels of having a chance to talk with and listen to Peter Kelley, President of the National Association of Japan America Societies (NAJAS), and JET alum Marc Hitzig, Deputy Director of the Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C., who both spoke at the JETAA National Conference in Washington, D.C. a couple weeks ago, as well as a recent conversation with Japan Society of Boston‘s President, Peter Grilli, and Program Marketing Manager (and JET alum) Bhaird Campbell.
*Please e-mail responses to Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94) at jetwit [at] jetwit.com or post in the comments section below.
From talking to JETAA officers at various conferences and in other contexts, it seems that each JETAA chapter has it’s own unique relationship with its local Japan-America Society (JAS). And of course every JAS has its own unique characteristics.
As a result, I’d like to ask JETAA chapters cooperation with:
- Gathering responses from JETAA chapters that comment on or share some of the collaborations with JAS that have been successful or beneficial in various ways; and
- Getting a sense of what the relationship history has been, whether any JET alums work for the JAS and any additional thoughts you might have on the topic.
For example:
- With respect to JETwit, I started just subscribing to all of the JAS e-mail lists which led to an ongoing and periodic Japan-America Society Round-up post, now written by Gail Meadows (Hiroshima-shi 2007-10).
- In Washington, D.C., the Japan America Society, among other things, runs the annual Cherry Blossom Festival which attracts thousands of people and involves many JET alum volunteers who play a very significant role in running the event. It also happens to have a JET alum, Marc Hitzig, working there, and another JET alum, Laurel Lukaszewski, who previously served as the organization’s Executive Director.
- In Minnesota, apparently there’s usually a JETAA Minnesota officer who is active on the Board of the Japan America Society in Minneapolis.
There are clearly many more great examples of collaboration and a lot more info to gather. By gathering the information here, I hope to get a bigger picture sense of the JETAA chapter relationship with JAS and figure out if there are ways to foster greater collaboration and sharing of info and ideas in the future.
As responses are received, I’ll add the text to this post so that it becomes a record and a resource available to JETAA chapters and to JAS.
Why? This ties in with the “Return on JET-vestment” concept as well as with big picture strategic thinking about the future of JETAA and JET. It’s a first step that will hopefully shed light on the topic and open up new ideas and opportunities.
*Please e-mail responses to Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94) at jetwit [at] jetwit.com or post in the comments section below.
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!
********************************
Updated 08/20/2011
Apropos of nothing, here’s a great piece by Rick Ambrosio (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08) about a recent film event at Japan Society in New York featuring an appearance by Sora Aoi.
********************************
9. JETAA Heartland & The Heart of America Japan-America Society
Via JETAA Heartland President Warren McAllen:
I’m not sure how far back JET Alum involvement with JAS goes, but I do know that we have had members in common with The Heart of America Japan-America Society almost as long as there has been a chapter in KC and several of our members have held positions on the JAS Board over the years.
We have a joint event this weekend, HJETAA and HoA JAS co-sponsor the Japan Pavilion at the Greater Kansas City Ethnic Enrichment Festival (http://www.eeckc.org/). We promote JET and recruit new members (and find some who have slipped through the cracks over the years) and help JAS with their fundraising efforts. We may, eventually, do our own fundraising at this event attended by 10′s of thousands of people.
We also sponsor networking events with JAS and other Japan-related org’s two or three times a year. Last year we organized a food tasting for the UMKC Jazz Band and JAS members who were selected to perform at the National Culture Festival in Kurashiki, Okayama, Kansas City’s Sister City.
Of course, we have a booth at the GKC Japan Festival and our members are involved in many phases of the organization and execution of the festival (I was almost it’s Executive Director, at one point). This year we have volunteered to do a presentation on JET and the Alumni Association on one of the event stages as well.
This year we worked with JAS to inaugurate the GKC Japanese Film Festival and look forward to continued cooperation on future film festivals. We also worked together on disaster relief fundraising
Naturally, we promote each other’s events and I recommend the JAS to all JET recruits and returning members. We’ve talked about reciprocal membership but we’re still negotiating.
On an individual basis, many of our members are also in JAS and are involved in varying ways from simple membership and volunteering to serving on the board, as I mentioned earlier, organizing events and making presentations.
JETAA NY: Looking for New JETAANY Subchapter Reps (NJ, Philly, NY State)!
Cultural Outreach, JETAA Chapters 
Comments Off on JETAA NY: Looking for New JETAANY Subchapter Reps (NJ, Philly, NY State)!
Via JETAANY:
Do you wish you could go to JETAA events, but live outside of the NYC metropolitan area? Then help us bolster our subchapters! We currently have an active chapter in Pittsburgh, but we’re looking for JET alums in New Jersey, Philly and New York State to help organize events.
If you are interested in becoming a representative, offering ideas, or even simply in hearing about events outside of NYC, let us know by emailing Pam Kavalam at secretary [at] jetaany.org.
JETAA Sydney Trivia Night raises $650 for disaster relief
Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on JETAA Sydney Trivia Night raises $650 for disaster relief
Via the JETAA Sydney Facebook group:
“Sydney JETAA members and friends have raised $650 at our trivia night at the Parkview Hotel – all to be donated to the Japan Red Cross tsunami appeal. Thanks to all for a great night!”
JETAA Northern California helps community group with fundraising efforts
Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, JETAA Chapters, JETs in the News, Return on JET-vestment, Volunteer Comments Off on JETAA Northern California helps community group with fundraising efforts
******************
Thanks to Mike Shu, JETAA USA Country Representative and JETAA Northern California member, for forwarding this great article from the Nichi Bei online magazine titled “Helping Northern Japan Recover: A community effort raises $3.5 million for disaster-hit areas” about the Japan Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCNC) and its fund raising efforts which have generated $3.5 million for disaster relief in Japan.
It’s worth noting that JETAA Northern California members were involved with the JCCNC’s fund-raising efforts as volunteers and that a JET alum is actually on their fund staff. Additionally, the article includes quotes from a JET–Miyagi CIR Takeno (Chiyo) Suzuki.
Here’s the link to the article: http://www.nichibei.org/2011/07/helping-northern-japan-recover-a-community-effort-raises-3-5-million-for-disaster-hit-regions/
Tampa Natsumatsuri a success thank to JETAA Florida’s Tampa subchapter
Cultural Outreach, Events, JETAA Chapters, Return on JET-vestment, Volunteer Comments Off on Tampa Natsumatsuri a success thank to JETAA Florida’s Tampa subchapter
Via the JETAA Tampa (aka Tampa Kumi) email list:
“We made it through another year of Tampa Natsumatsuri. We had over 300 people attend. It was the biggest event we’ve done yet. A huge thank you to everyone who participated. You truly make this event happen. Also thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the event. And lastly, the biggest thanks to the coordination committee who helped me tremendously this year! It would not have been possible to do an event this big alone. And these people gave significant portions of their time and personal resources to coordinate everything that went on.”
Tampa JET alumni are also known for their Tampa Tsudoi, a monthly “nihongo-dake” gathering at a Panera where JET alums and other Japanese-speaking members of the community (both American and Japanese) gather for Japanese practice and friendship.
Challenges facing the US-Japan Earthquake Relief Response
Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, JETAA Chapters, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on Challenges facing the US-Japan Earthquake Relief Response
I had the privilege yesterday of being invited by Jim Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94), Executive Director of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA), to attend a unique information and idea exchange titled “Funding Meeting: US-Japan Cooperation on Supporting the Japan Disaster Response.”
The gathering, organized by JCIE/USA and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (New York), was held in a meeting room at the Institute of International Education in Midtown Manhattan, consisted of representatives from about 40 to 50 organizations involved in raising funds to support relief efforts for Japan.
It began with presentations from key representatives from Japanese civil society–Yoshifumi Tajiri of the Japan NPO Center and Japan Civil Network for Disaster Relief in East Japan (JCN), Yoichiro Abe of the Central Community Chest of Japan (CCCJ) and the Joint Committee for Coordinating and Supporting Voluntary Disaster Relief Activities, Tae Namba of the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) and Tomoko Wakabayashi of the Association for Corporate Support of the Arts (Japan).
Two discussion panels followed. The first was titled “Challenges and Concerns of US Funders and Partners.” Moderated by Jim Gannon, it included presentations by Irene Hirano, President of the US-Japan Council, Betty Borden, Director of Policy Projects for Japan Society (NY), Scott Sugiura of Give2Asia and Mari Kuraishi of GlobalGiving Foundation. The second panel was titled “Strengthening US-Japan Collaboration for Recovery” and was moderated by Japan Society of Boston President Peter Grilli with presentations by Noboru Hayase of Osaka Volunteer Action Center and Jim Gannon of JCIE/USA. Many others participated in the subsequent discussions and exchange of information and ideas.
Key Takeaways:
A couple key takeaways from a JET Alumni perspective were:
1. Figuring out effective ways to support the relief efforts in Japan is tricky stuff. It’s not a straightforward task to simply provide grants and financial support. Among other reasons, Japan apparently does not have as strong or established of a “civil society” as we’re used to having in the U.S. i.e., There is not a large non-profit sector. And there is not as much organizational experience seeking and applying for and reporting on grants and donations. To paraphrase one attendee, no one was knocking on their door seeking grants in the way people did following disasters in Haiti and elsewhere.
Language and cultural barriers were also cited. As was the fact that for many small NPOs and other organizations that have stepped in to do good work, they don’t have the bandwidth to focus on grant seeking and reporting requirements. Or if they do, it comes at the detriment of doing the work that needs to be done.
The other major challenge cited was the expansive geographic scale of the disaster.
Additionally, several attendees commented that one of the areas where significant assistance is needed (among many needs) is mental health. Depression and suicide rates are high in the affected region, particularly among working age males trying to support their families in a dire employment environment. (Read this letter from Japan Society of Boston President Peter Grilli, who recently traveled to Japan, for additional information and perspective.)
2. Progress is being made. For all the challenges, it sounds like organizations were figuring things out and gaining experience as they moved forward, and there was a lot of discussion about information sharing and providing additional forms of support in ways that would aide the process.
3. JET Alumni are involved in a variety of ways. There were five other JET alumni in attendance, including Jim Gannon, Paige Cottingham-Streater (Japan-US Friendship Commission), Renay Loper (Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership), Bhaird Campbell (Japan Society of Boston), Jonathan Schwab (Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York) and Jennifer Quiambao (Asian Cultural Council). Additionally, a several other attendees said that they had JET alumni working in their offices when I mentioned my connection with the JET Alumni Association.
Thanks again to Jim for giving me, and in essence the JET Alumni Association in the U.S., a seat at this very significant table. And a reminder that the relief and rebuilding effort continues and that, as with our JET experience, patience and persistence yields great growth over time.
Fundraising: JETAA Sydney Trivia Night Fundraiser for Japan
Earthquake Tsunami, Events, Fundraising, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on Fundraising: JETAA Sydney Trivia Night Fundraiser for Japan
JETAA Trivia and Fundraiser for Japan
Come along this Saturday night to the 2011 JETAA trivia night. Bring you friends, meet new people and test your knowledge of all things Japanese and Australian as you compete for a range of great prizes.
This year’s trivia night will be an extra special event, with all proceeds raised on the night being donated to the Red Cross (Japan) Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal.
Time: 6:30pm, Saturday 23 July
(Questions commence at 7pm sharp so arrive by 6:30pm to get your team organised!)
Place: Parkview Hotel, 178-180 Mitchell Road, Alexandria
(The closest station is Erskineville, and there is lots of parking near the venue)
Entry: $20 per person (Includes catering and you can purchase drinks at the bar)
Please RSVP by Thursday via the Sydney JETAA Facebook group or email sydney@jetalumni.org so we can confirm numbers for catering.
JETAA USA Conference a big success in DC
JETAA Chapters Comments Off on JETAA USA Conference a big success in DC
Major props to JETAA DC for putting on an extremely substantive and energizing JETAA USA National Conference–just what we all needed in a very challenging year.
More details and info to come when I have time to gather thoughts and info and get them posted.
JETAA North Carolina Subchapter on the move
Cultural Outreach, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on JETAA North Carolina Subchapter on the move
New JETAA subchapter activity has been detected in North Carolina, thanks to some outreach by Kay Munn who has gotten a JETAA Southeast North Carolina Subchapter Facebook page up and running!
Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jetaasenc
And here’s a message from Kay:
“Hello everyone! If you’re currently living in NC (or moving here soon!) we’re trying to get a subchapter up and running over here. Feel free to join our Facebook page :)”
Welcome to the JETAA SE North Carolina subchapter! The NC subchapter was started to help connect former, current, and aspiring JETs with the North Carolina community. Connect with other JETs in North Carolina and help us teach our community about our second home, Japan.
E-mail: jetaasenc [at] groups.facebook.com
Sydney JETAA: The latest issue of JET Journeys is here!
JETAA Chapters Comments Off on Sydney JETAA: The latest issue of JET Journeys is here!
via Sydney JETAA. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, writing and translation.
——————————————————————————————————————————–
Click here to read the Winter 2011 issue of JET Journeys, the newsletter of Sydney JETAA. Find about about our upcoming activites and read more of Eden Law’s inspirational story about life in Fukushima during and after the earthquake and tsunami on 11 March.
Reminder: You can RSVP to for upcoming events by emailing sydney@jetalumni.org or responding via the Sydney JETAA Facebook group. Please do let us know if you plan to come to any of our events, so we can confirm numbers in advance.
We’re also happy to receive your feedback. And let us know if you’d like to volunteer to help out during the JETAA Regional Conference in Sydney from 11-13 November this year. Email: sydney@jetalumni.org.
The Sydney JETAA Team
www.sydneyjetaa.org
Our mailing address is:
Sydney JETAA
c/o Consulate-General of Japan
Level 33, 52 Martin Place,
Sydney, NSW 2000
Request for #JETtips on Twitter
JETAA Chapter Beat, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on Request for #JETtips on Twitter
via JETAA London. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, writing and translation.
——————————————————————————————————————————–
With so many alumni chapters and ex-JETs on Twitter, JETAA London is keen to encourage a bit of JET Twit (see what we did?). Pre-departure orientations for the latest JET recruits are taking place throughout this month and we would love to hear from ex-JETs and Japan lovers keen to pass on their advice, knowledge and wisdom.
Send your tips to @jetaalondon using the hashtag #jettips.
And you can follow us too if you like!
JETAA London – @jetaalondon
JETAA Chapter Beat 7.04.11
JETAA Chapter Beat, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on JETAA Chapter Beat 7.04.11
Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.
- J-Kaiwa – Friday, July 8th, 7:00 at Hawthorne Lucky Lab. Practice your Japanese or just get together with friends for a drink at Lucky Lab.
- Sayonara BBQ – Saturday, July 9th, 12:00 to 3:00. JETAA Portland is having a potluck BBQ for the new departing JETs. Enjoy the outside with some good company and get to know the new JETs.
- Tabemashou Dinner – Tuesday, July 12th, 6:00 at Sambi. Tabemashou group is a group that explores, critiques and enjoys Japanese dining in Portland.
- JETAASC Picnic – Saturday, July 9th, 11:00 to 3:00 at the Torrance in Wilson Park. Celebrate summer sun and fun outdoors in South Bay. Share your wisdom from your year(s) on JET with this year’s departing JETs.
- New JET & Vet JET Dinner – Monday, July 11th, 6:30 at Apple Restaurant. Meet the new JETs and share your wisdom and experiences. A nijikai with Karaoke to follow.
- JETAANY Boat Cruise – Wednesday, July 27th, 7:00 to 10:00 at Pier 81. JET alumni in New York are getting together for an after work boat cruise. One drink is included in the price of the ticket, so come out and relax on the water.
- O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, July 6th, 6:00 at Coo Izakaya in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.
- 2011 Pizza JET Together – Saturday, July 9th, 5:30 to 7:00 at One Union Square. Get to know the new JETs and share your stories over a slice of pizza with PNWJETAA.
- Post-Pizza Nijikai – Saturday July 9th, 7:30 at the Elephant and Castle. Keep the night going with the Pizza afterparty for new and old JETs alike.
- Kabuki Club – Sunday, July 24th, 2:00 at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California. This month’s selection will be the classic “Shiranami Gonin Otoko: The Five Bandits.”
What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.
JETAA Chapter Beat 6.20.11
JETAA Chapter Beat, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on JETAA Chapter Beat 6.20.11
Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.
- Mixer at Wine Expo – Wednesday, June 29th, 7:00 at the Wine Expo in Santa Monica. Join JET Alumni, friends and family for wine tasting, good eats and a chance to meet the new JETs before they depart next month.
- JETAASC Picnic – Saturday, July 9th, 11:00 to 3:00 at the Torrance in Wilson Park. Celebrate summer sun and fun outdoors in South Bay. Share your wisdom from your year(s) on JET with this year’s departing JETs.
- Japanese Heritage Night at Mets Citifield – Tuesday, June 21st, 6:30 at Citifield Stadium in Flushing. Join JETAANY and the Japanese residents of NYC in celebrating Japanese Heritage as the NY Mets take on Hideki Matsui and the Oakland A’s.
- Nihongo Dake Dinner – Wednesday, June 29th, 7:00 to 9:00 at Vapiano downtown. Practice your Japanese with friends and alumni over pizza and pasta.
- JET Send-off BBQ – Thursday, July 7th, 6:30. Send off the new batch of JETs in style, and enjoy some good food in the process. People with last names A-M bring a side dish, and N-Z bring desserts!
- Book Club – Sunday, June 26th, 1:0 at the Jade Teahouse & Patisserie. This month’s selection is The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Hiashino. Start reading now so you can be part of the discussion.
- Winter Matsuri in Swan Valley – Sunday, June 26th, 10:00 to 5:00, bus departing from Barrack Street Jetty. The trip includes a trip to 2 wineries with tastings, a nougat factory with tasting, a chocolate factory and a brewery.
What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.
Auckland JETAA’s Ganbare Japan event raises over $2,500
Earthquake Tsunami, Events, Fundraising, JETAA Chapters, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on Auckland JETAA’s Ganbare Japan event raises over $2,500
Via Emily Duncan’s Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Idea Exchange via the Auckland JETAA GanbareJapan site:
The Auckland JET Alumni Association (Auckland JETAA) would like to thank everyone who attended the Ganbare Japan Charity Dinner held on 11 June, 2011, exactly three months after Japan was hit by one of the worst disasters in recent history. Thanks to your support, the evening was a complete sell-out and we were able to raise $2550.70 for the Japan Red Cross!
We’d like to say a special thank you to all those who made the evening a night to remember – our guest speaker from Sendai, Kaleb Urike, our talented violinist, Nick Jones, our MC, Linton Rathgen, AV extraordinaire, Dima Ivanov, organiser Krystal Lynes, Consul General Mr Ishida, and Mr Kawakami from CLAIR, Sydney. We’d also like to thank Limon Restaurant and Lion Nathan Breweries for their support.
The Auckland JETAA endeavors to do as much as possible to help our friends in Japan. If you are able to assist us in some way, or if you are interested in attending future charity events, we would love to hear from you.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we look forward to seeing you at future fundraisers,
Auckland JETAA
JETAA NY joint event with Kyushu association
Cultural Outreach, Events, Japan Local, JETAA Chapters, Networking, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on JETAA NY joint event with Kyushu association
Last night JETAA New York joined with New York Battenkai, a New York-based association for Japanese ex-pats from Kyushu, for a unique happy hour at Nightengales (2nd Ave & 13th St) and another example of JETAA chapters supporting prefecture and local government efforts. (Translation Note: “Batten,” it was explained, is connecting phrase unique to Kyushu dialect.)
As New York is home to many other similar prefecture associations, perhaps this could end up serving as a model for future JETAA Chapter-Prefectural Association events.
