The Hokkaido Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching
FAQ
Q. Why should I join HAJET?
A. Joining HAJET gives you access to all of HAJET’s resources. You can use the library, receive our monthly magazine (the Polestar), get discounts on HAJET Publications, apply for funding for an international event in your town, join our musical, get member prices on meeting fees, and get a significantly reduced rate for you and your students to join the Hokkaido English Challenge (HEC). HAJET dues support all of the services that we provide for our members and allow us to continue to provide high quality English and international exchange programs to the wider Hokkaido community.
Q. What is the HAJET PC?
A. The PC is the Prefectural Council. We take care of daily HAJET-related tasks, approve funding requests, and manage HAJET’s memberships and funds…but don’t forget that we’re JETs, just like you! If you have any questions, just send us an email and we’ll be happy to answer to the best of our ability. Collectively, we’ve got lots of Hokkaido-related knowledge and we’re happy to share with you. We invite you to check out our individual profiles at http://www.hajet.org/about/hajet-pc/.
Q. I want to become a HAJET member. How do I join?
A. You can sign up for HAJET at Sapporo Orientation or any of the three meetings throughout the year. You can also sign up via email. To do so, please download the appropriate form at http://www.hajet.org/about/how-to-join/ and follow the directions on the form. We’ll be sure to confirm your details and get you signed up as soon as possible.
Q. I teach English in Hokkaido, but I’m not a JET. Can I still join HAJET?
A. Of course! Anyone living in Hokkaido who wants to join HAJET is welcome to do so. You can contact our Non-JET Representative for questions relating specifically to Non-JETs. Otherwise, just follow the sign-up procedures described above.
Q. When and where are the HAJET Meetings? What about the Regional Welcome Parties?
A. There are three HAJET Meetings each year–the Fall Meeting (generally the last weekend in October), the Winter Meeting (generally at the end of February or the beginning of March), and the Summer Meeting (late June or early July). Meeting packets are sent to the offices of those who request them. They are also available for download from the “HAJET Events” section of this website. There are also four welcome parties in late August and early September (one in each of the four regions: Central, Northern, Eastern, Southwestern). You are welcome to attend any (or all!) of the welcome parties, no matter where you live in Hokkaido. You can find information about these events on the LISTSERV, the forums, on this website, and from the Regional Representatives.
Q. Who is my Regional Representative and what does he/she do?
A. Your Regional Reps are here to give you a hand if you have questions about your life here or just want someone to talk English to at a normal speed. Breaking you up into regions makes it easier for you to be in touch with someone who has been here for a while and who can help keep you up to date with events in your area, and to keep you connected with the JET community. Check out the map below to figure out which region you live in. If you still don’t know after looking at the map, just email us and we’ll tell you!
Q. I’m a HAJET member and I’m not getting my Polestars. Who do I contact?
A. If you’re sure you’ve paid your dues and you haven’t received your Polestar, please contact our Polestar Editor at submissions.polestar|at|gmail|dot|com and we’ll sort out the problem.
Q. I’m thinking of holding an international event in my town. How can HAJET help me?
A. Besides providing funding for events (you can download the funding application at here), we can offer support and advice. If you have any questions, we can answer them for you or find someone who knows. Just send an email to hajetpc|at|gmail|dot|com and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
Q. I want to add an event to the online HAJET calendar. How do I do this?
A. Email the HAJET President at hajetpc|at|gmail|dot|com with the relevant details, including a location and a contact number, and he’ll review it and add it to the calendar.
Q. Can HAJET help me if things go wrong?
A. Well, that depends. We’re here to help you as much as we can–if you want to chat with someone about general day-to-day questions or concerns, we welcome you to contact your Regional Representative…they’re here to help you! If you’re in need of answers regarding your office or your health, or just want someone to talk to, please contact your Prefectural Advisor who’s available to you anytime there’s something on your mind. You can also call the CLAIR JET Line with any questions at (03) 5213-1729, between 9:00 and 6:00. If you’d like anonymous counseling, you can call the Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) at 03-5774-0992 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. The AJET Peer Support Group is available from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. by calling 0120-437-725.
Q. I want to join the HAJET LISTSERV. How do I do this?
A. Follow the link from the HAJET website, or go directly to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hokkaidojets/. Your request will be reviewed and approved by the HAJET Administrator.
Q. I want to join the HAJET Flickr Group. How do I join?
A. Sign in to your Flickr account and then go to http://www.flickr.com/groups/hajet/. You can also just search for “HAJET” with the Group Search function or follow the link from the HAJET website. Ask to join the group. If it’s not clear who you are or what your relationship to HAJET is, we’d appreciate it if you could write a note about who you are and why you want to join in the appropriate field. Your membership must be approved by the HAJET Administrator, but this usually takes less than a day. Please remember that this is our communal website…use your common sense as to whether or not your pictures are appropriate for all to see.
Q. I have some videos to add to the HAJET YouTube Video Pool. How do I join?
A. Sign into your YouTube account and then go to http://www.youtube.com/group/hajet. You can also just follow the links from the HAJET website. Click “Join this Group”. A message will be sent to the HAJET Administrator for approval. Please remember that this is our communal website…use your common sense as to whether or not your video clips are appropriate for all to see.
Q. I have a question about the forums and/or HAJET website. How do I contact someone?
A. You can go to http://www.hajet.org/contact-us/ (or click “Contact Us” at the top of the page) to send a message to the Webmaster/Forum Administrator. Or you can just send an e-mail to hajetwebmaster|at|gmail|dot|com or hokkaidojets|at|gmail|dot|com .
Q. Do you have a RSS feed so I can stay updated on HAJET postings and events?
A. You bet! Go to http://www.hajet.org/feed/ and click on the “Subscribe Now” button.
Q. Do I have to be a member of HAJET to use the forums?
A. No, but you should be a resident of Hokkaido or have had some experience living in Hokkaido. Be sure to mention this in the comment section or your registration might not be approved.
Q. Why do our forum registrations have to be approved by the administrator?
A. All registrations must be approved so that we can keep out spammers and forum invaders. This is why it’s important to tell us why you are registering in the comments section of the registration process.
