The Hokkaido Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching
HAJET Council
The current HAJET Prefectural Council is made up of the following members.
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President – Simon Daly |
| I returned to Japan this year to take up a position as a JET in Engaru, far northeastern Hokkaido. I spent another year in Japan between the two years I spent in South Korea. As a professionally certified chef I have worked in award winning restaurants and hotels in the UK and in my home country New Zealand. The HAJET network has helped my family and I settle into our new life here. As I learned more about the many facets of the organization I could not help but to want to be involved. |
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Vice President – Lisa Utsumi |
| Born in Southern California, grew up in New York. Came to Hokkaido straight after college, and I absolutely love it here. Come August, I’ll be starting my 4th year as an ALT in Ikutahara, Engaru-cho. We’ve got good ice cream, a nice onsen, and a fun wooden toy museum. If you’re ever around, please stop by! As VP, I keep pretty busy planning the HAJET seasonal meetings and helping out our Pres, Simon. |
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Secretary – Steph Palm |
| Originally from the U.S., I came to Japan straight out of university and now I’m a second year ALT in Muroran. As HAJET secretary it’s my job to update members on HAJET happenings, manage a Hokkaido JET directory, and take notes at the meetings. I love what HAJET does and I really love the idea of helping people connect … also, I’m not ashamed to admit that there’s an administrative beast inside of me that feeds off things like meetings, constitutions, newsletters, and listservs. I have a penchant for bureaucracy, so if you need something – you let Mama know, she get it done. |
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Treasurer – Lindsay Crawford |
| Hey everyone! I’m an ALT originally from Ontario, Canada and now living in Ishikari-shi. At University I majored in Zoology with a minor in Mathematics (that gets put to good use as a treasurer!). I enjoy reading, video games and dancing. In Japan I’ve found great new interests in snowboarding (love that Hokkaido snow!), Kyudou, traveling and meeting new people! I joined HAJET to see the mind behind the machine, so to speak. I’m happy to help make decisions that will benefit all of our members. If you are inspired with a stellar idea for an event in your town, please let us know so we can help make it happen! |
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Northern Representative – Noriyasu Li |
| おっす！I’m Nori, located in Oumu-cho along the Okhotsk Sea. I’m originally from Alaska, went to the Univ. of Alaska Anchorage and Hokkaido University of Education, and on my second year here on JET. I took over the HAJET northern rep position to gain some more leadership experience, and to get involved. Feel free to hit me up wit any questions, or what is going on around and about. |
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Eastern Representative – Ben Grafstrom |
| I am a run of-the-mill American ALT who came to Japan from Philadelphia via Boulder. I never thought I’d be living in a fishing village (Rausu-chô)–it’s been a very interesting experience. I love the outdoors, so there are few better places to be in Japan than Hokkaido! I joined HAJET because I like taking an active roll in things I am a part of. |
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Southwestern Representative – Carlee Miller |
| I am the ALT for the small town of Assabu-cho in the Ooshima Peninsula (the whale’s tale, if you will). I joined HAJET because I felt like it put me in contact with many resources and ALTs across Hokkaido. I went for Southwestern Representative because I wanted to help be a similar link for new and re-contracting JET-folk. Because HAJET has been an awesome resource, I wanted to do all I could to ensure it is kept going. |
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Central Representative – Lucinda Hill |
| Coming soon! |
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Sapporo Representative – Crystal Bock |
| Howdy folks and welcome you to your future in Hokkaido! I’m the rep for the magical, mystical land of Sapporo, which you no doubt will get to know (or at least long for) during your time here. I decided to be a part of HAJET not only for the many opportinities for social leadership, but because I wanted to be heavily involved in HEC and the summer English camp for our students in Hokkaido! Besides being an all-around awesome gal who throws a tres fab welcome party at the Sapporo Summer Festival, I’m also around for all your general questions, concerns, and beer-drinking/BBQ-solutions. |
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Non-JET Representative – Renaud Shareck |
| Coming soon! |
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HAJET HEC Coordinator – Leke Ojumu |
| Coming soon! |
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HAJET HEC Coordinator – June Sanders |
| Coming soon! |
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Project Outreach Coordinator – Caroline Lyster |
| Coming soon! |
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Social Coordinator – Nicholas Jones |
| Howdy. I am an ALT who originally hails from the bustling metropolis of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In the position of Social Coordinator, I endeavor to channel my Big City withdrawal into motivation to bust out of my Hokkaido Inaka box and to drag all of you fun HAJET kids with me into the social limelight. On paper, I’m responsible for things like the Midyear Conference Winter Ball and the Sapporo Yuki Matsuri Tour. In reality, I get too genki and am ready to mobilize HAJET members at a moment’s notice when there’s a good time to be had. I believe that, at its core, HAJET is a giant, rambling, sometimes dysfunctional family, and I see it as my business to make sure the reunions keep happening. |
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Publications Coordinator – Elizabeth Hall |
| Hello, everyone! As the Publications Coordinator, it’s my job to orchestrate the production and distribution of HAJET’s publications. We are always looking for fresh and exciting ideas, so please feel free to contact me should you be hit with any bursts of brilliance! I joined HAJET because it seemed like a good way to give back to the community. I’m an ALT living in Wakkanai and working at many places in the Soya area, so give me a call should you have the urge to visit Japan’s northernmost point (or northernmost McDonald’s). |
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Musical Director – Melissa Golden |
| Coming soon! |
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Musical Producer – Peter Lennox |
| I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada way back in ’83. I’m currently living in the small Naka-Sorachi town of Kamisunagawa. I majored in anthropology and archaeology with a specialty in mortuary archaeology and thought I’d bring all of that experience to bear in my role as Musical producer. I love that the musical allows me explore Hokkaido and entertain hundreds of people every year. I’m looking forward to this year’s production and hope to see all of you at our shows! |
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Librarian – Rebecca Rhuman |
| I’ve been in Minamifurano for almost a year now as an ALT. In the US, I graduated from George Fox University with a degree in Elementary Ed. Then continued on to be a substitute teacher for a year and a half before coming to Japan. I joined HAJET because it seemed like a neat group of people, they were very helpful in starting my new life in Japan. I wanted to be a part of the PC, so I could help other newbies start their lives in Japan. |
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Polestar Editor – Jessica Benscoter |
| Hail, fair maidens and gents! Jessica Benscoter here – editor of the Polestar magazine. I am going into my second year of JET as a base school ALT. I live in Muroran with my wonderful husband. We both enjoy hiking, running, and being active in the outdoors of Hokkaido. I joined HAJET and started to become active in it because it’s very important to have a strong community. In Hokkaido when many of us live far away from other ALTs, it’s vital to be in contact with others with whom we can share and get support. As a note to the readers, I would encourage you to get involved in your community, in HAJET and/or HEC in some way. One way you can contribute to your new community is to submit photos, articles, stories, poetry, reviews, etc, to submissions.polestar [at] gmail.com. I hope to see some wonderful content from you in the Polestar! |
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Website Coordinator – Kevin Mitchell |
| I’ve been working for almost three years now in Chitose as an ALT. In the USA, I worked for over 10 years in the movie theater business; four of them as a General Manager of megaplexes. I joined HAJET so I could help out making a new website, forum and etc. for them. In addition to HAJET, I’m also the webmaster for AJET and Smile Kids Japan. |
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Translator – Heather Humphreys |
| Having requested a countryside placement, I love my rice-growing, river-snuggling wee town of Tsukigata. This is my second year on JET and will be my third year of the last four in Japan. I’m a big fan of the simple things in Hokkaido life – the outrageously beautiful mountains and sunsets, every bit of coastline I’ve seen so far, the GLORIOUS snow, the ordinary conversations I have with people known and unknown. I’ll be doing translation for HEC – my aim, after experiencing camp, is to make sure as every BoE/school/parent can see what a fantastic project we have going on to get involved. よろしく！ |
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Translator – TBA |
| Coming soon! |
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1st Year Representative – TBA |
| Coming soon! |
To contact any member of the HAJET PC, please email us at hajetpc|at|gmail.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
