The Hokkaido Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching
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AJET Treasurer Candidate Platform – Vanessa
Feb 8th
Hello fellow Hokkaidoites! My name is Vanessa and I originally hail from Melbourne, Australia, though my family now lives in the very hot city of Perth. I am currently a 4th year ALT in Nanporo, Hokkaido. I love my town, students and my life here, though I could happily give up shoveling snow.
I have been very active in the Hokkaido AJET community during my time here. I have held the position of HAJET Treasurer so I believe I can bring the skills I utilized as HAJET Treasurer to National AJET. As HAJET Treasurer, I was responsible for maintaining accounts, coordinating financial aspects of meetings, and giving event funding to local events aimed at internationalization.
I have been active in other aspects of the Hokkaido JET community such as the HAJET Musical. In my second year I was elected to the role of Producer and we won the AJET award, “Best Local Community Event”. The role of producer included being responsible for the budget of the musical amongst other tasks.
Please take a minute to vote for me. Voting opens February 11th.
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Read on for a few announcements from National AJET:
AJET Block 1 Candidate Platform – Krystal Cooley
Feb 7th
The election will begin on February 11th and run until the 28th. http://ajet.net/
Hello everyone! My name is Krystal Cooley, and I am a 4th year Hokkaido JET. Due to my deep involvement with the Hokkaido JET community, and my strong desire to act as a link between Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, and Akita JETs and JETs throughout Japan, I feel that I am the best candidate for the Block 1 Rep position.
During my years on JET I have been very active in my local AJET branch, HAJET. I have served as secretary on the HAJET council, and am currently running for the position of HAJET President. I am also a CIR, which means I am experienced in planning, executing, and notifying the local community of international events. In addition, with nearly four years spent in Japan, I am quite familiar with the events held in my block, and I am eager to spread the word and encourage participation from JETs throughout the region. I believe I can put my position on the HAJET council, my role as CIR, and my long experience in Japan to good use by serving as Block 1 Rep.
I am extremely interested in grass-roots internationalization, and as part of my job, I often participate in and write reports about the international events of other JETs. My coworkers read my reports in order to gain inspiration and further international exchange in my city. Therefore, I feel that I am well-suited to fill the Cultural Liaison position in addition to Block 1 Rep.
In closing, I am responsible, reliable, and hard-working, and I will work to my utmost ability to keep the JETs within Block 1 connected, as well as represent Block 1 JETs on the national level. With me, Krystal Cooley, as your Block 1 Rep, I ensure that you will never be left in the dark about events in Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, and Iwate, and I promise to make your voice heard! Thank you very much.
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Read on for a few announcements from National AJET:
AJET Block 1 Candidate Platform – Rob Maxwell
Feb 7th
Please VOTE for me to be your BLOCK 1 AJET REP!!!
The election will begin on February 11th and run until the 28th. http://ajet.net/
Hi, my name is Rob Maxwell, I am a 3rd year ALT living and working in Sapporo City, Hokkaido.
My story is a little different from many other ALTs, as I am not now living in my original placement town. When I first found out that I was placed in such a remote part of Japan I was both thrilled and nervous! Where was this little town I was placed in? Not on any map I could find. For my first year I lived in a small fishing town called Oumu, located on the North East coast of Hokkaido; famous for salmon, crab, scallops and wide open spaces. During my year there I made many close friends -it was a wonderful experience which I will never forget.
In 2009 I was lucky enough to get married, so was permitted to transfer to Sapporo City where my wife and her parents lived. We now have a 7 month old son who keeps us both active and on our toes. Since first arriving I have been an active member of the JET community here in Hokkaido. I have been honoured to hold a position on the HAJET board since 2008.
I feel that my unique perspective, having lived and worked as an ALT in both a small town and in a major city, will allow me to most effectively represent all the Block 1 JETs. Although I live the largest prefecture, Hokkaido JETs are an active bunch and go out of their way to help each other and make new JETs feel welcome. Since Day One I have felt welcomed and included, and am eager to pass this on to all new arrivals. I feel bonds within each prefecture, and inter-prefecturally are important to sustaining the spirit of the JET programme, and maintaining the well-being of each JET.
My previous Ad Agency experience (below) required me to understand the needs and issues of clients ( …… now JETs) and communicate these effectively to management ( ….. now Prefectural Representatives) I actively encourage JETs to get involved in the great events in surrounding prefectures to share history, information and culture, and friendship.
Prior to JET, I worked as a Graphic Designer for an advertising agency. In this role I utilized my advanced communication skills and highly developed organizational ability, delivering highly effective campaign planning, client service, and production. This commercial /industry background would be especially complementary to Guidebooks Liaison & Information Management, Ads, Communications, Marketing or Publications liaison.
I have been involved in planning and running successful updates of HAJET publications and updating the overall look of our group as a whole. When the current team retires, I look forward to a more active role with AJET. I’m at my best when I am busy, and love a new challenge. I look forward to the opportunity to represent the JETs of Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, Iwate.
Please VOTE for me to be your Block 1 AJET Rep.
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Read on for a few announcements from National AJET:
Snowmobile Adventures at the Niseko Meeting!
Feb 4th
Where there is a Will there is a way. One of our own membership after a fun weekend away has talked a snowmobile tour operator in Niseko into giving discounts to HAJET members, unfortunately the details only materialized this evening and as such were too late to make it into today’s Polestar. Scott from Niseko Snowmobile adventures is offering any crew that identifies themselves as HAJET affiliated a 30% discount on any of our snowmobile tours. There is a maximum 5 people per tour, but he can run up to three tours a day. Scott has also said he would be happy to cover the cost to have a photographer come along. His company also runs snowcat/snowshoeing tours.
For more details check out www.go-nsa.com or contact scott@go-nsa.com
The packet for the meeting will be released soon, as well as an RSVP form you can fill out on the website!
HAJET Elections 2011!
Feb 2nd
Hello everyone, I hope you are enjoying Hokkaido’s winter as much as I am. As per the HAJET Constitution, it is time to hold our Annual Elections!
Send nominations to: elections@hajet.org by February 13th.
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We are looking for energetic volunteers to run for the following positions:
a. Prefectural Representative;
b. Vice Prefectural Representative;
c. Treasurer;
d. Secretary;
e. Polestar Editor;
f. Social Coordinator;
g. Publications Coordinator;
h. Regional Representatives; (North, Southwest, East, Central and Sapporo)
i. Non-JET Representative;
j. Website Coordinator; and
k. Librarian.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in any of one or more of these positions, don’t hesitate to send an email to me at elections@hajet.org
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All candidates, please include the following survey, and a photo, to run in the next issue of the Polestar.
Survey:
1. Name
2. Position you’re running for
3. Age
4. Years on JET
5. Hometown
6. Japantown
7. Random point of interest
8. Favourite movie and why
9. Why we should elect you
Nominations are due by Feb. 13th. Voting will run from Feb. 18th to Feb. 25th.
We want to make 2011 a great year for HAJET and the PC, so please nominate, run, and vote!
-Austin Corbett, Elections Coordinator
