Hi all. Just a few things as we draw to the end of the JETAAWA year.
1. AGM
The AGM is where we have some nibbles and drinks, look back over our successful year, and look forward to the coming year, including by electing the new committee.
This year’s AGM is shrouded in secrecy. It is being held this Friday evening, 22 March 2013, at an undisclosed and exciting CBD location. All I can say is that there will certainly be refreshments. Attendance is free.
If you would like to come and/or nominate for a position on the committee (you can attend without nominating, and vice versa if attendance is not possible) please let us know ASAP atpresident@jetaawa.com.
We will meet outside Greenhouse (itself outside the Woolworths etc on St Georges Tce) at 17:45-17:50 before heading to the secret location for 6pm. Let us know if you will be late (04 0808 3131).
Remember, current committee still need to RSVP if you’re renominating and/or attending!
BE ON THE COMMITTEE FOR 2013-2014!!!
As for electing the new committee: as always, every position on the committee is open, and we heartily welcome multiple nominations for positions – and probably multiple persons in some positions, now that you mention it.
Please nominate prior to the AGM!
If you would like to stay involved with JET and Japan on an ‘as-able’ basis, please feel free to nominate yourself as a General Member. There are unlimited spots available for General Members, and we just ask that you then attend meetings and contribute whenever you have the capacity. You still get many of the invites to official functions, etc., so it is definitely worth a look. We’ve had many General Members for the past few years and it has been great.
If you are pretty sure that being involved with JETAAWA is something you’re keen on, you may want to consider nominating as one of the Executive Members described below. You then get on the business card, get more invites to swankier events, the real opportunity to make contacts for your careers, and a nice touch on your CV. Although you then nominally have responsibilities consequent on those benefits, in reality most JETAAWA activities are coordinated by the entire committee.
The executive positions are:
President: What can I say? Being the president of JETAAWA is a privilege and is made so much easier by the collaboration of the entire committee. You get the chance to maintain your own links with Japan as well as the responsibility of making sure others can do the same. You dine with dignitaries, sup with superstars and feel good doing it. Being able to say that you lead an active 500-strong membership with close links to business and government is a great line to be able to roll off in a job interview.
Vice President: Ditto. Not really much difference from President.
Secretary: The Secretary role is responsible for arranging monthly meetings including determining best date, venue booking, meeting agenda and recording the minutes. As a member of the Executive, the Secretary provides support to the President, Vice President and Treasurer as required. Perks: Invitation to most Japanese consulate functions; Voluntary role you can include on your CV; Priority in attending JETAA regional conference (Executive Committee members)
Treasurer: The JETAAWA Treasurer is responsible for the association’s finances: including preparing annual and quarterly budgets for activities funded by the Consulate-General of Japan in Perth, updating the Committee on the state of the accounts, and submitting annual applications for funding to CLAIR in Sydney. Oral, written and interpersonal communication skills are essential to this role, as are effective time management (particularly meeting deadlines), the application of numeracy, the ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with people of different backgrounds and personalities, and the ability to solve problems. Such skills, by the way, have been identified by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry as being among those employers considered important in the workplace, so the opportunity to have “JETAAWA Treasurer” listed on your CV is one you cannot afford to pass up.
Social Rep: Nominally, the Social Rep is in ‘sole’ charge of organising JETAAWA events. However, in reality this job is done by the entire committee over the course of the year. You can really take on as much or as little as you can handle, with the benefit of being able to say on your CV that you coordinated events for a super-active volunteer group!
Media Rep: Put your design and publishing talent to good use by producing our newsletters and flyers.
Webmaster: The JETAAWA Webmaster is responsible for the website of JETAAWA (jetaawa.com). Our website is based on an easy-to-use content management system (WordPress) and the Webmaster is responsible for updating the website content, for example uploading JETAAWA newsletters, meeting minutes and reports, magazines, event notices, and photos. In addition, the Webmaster is responsible for the back-end maintenance, which includes hosting and domain name renewals. The Webmaster role also provides great opportunity to further develop your web design and development skills. A good level of web design experience (both front-end and back-end) is preferred for this role but we are also able to provide training where required.
Promos Rep: Make sure the world knows about JETAAWA and its ongoing events! Without promotion, remember, nobody would come to our activities! You’ll be the face of JETAAWA on facebook and mixi.
Employment Rep: The Employment Rep is nominally in charge of fielding job-seeking-related inquiries from ex-JETs and trying to hook them up with our network of collaborating businesses. Along with the rest of the committee, you’ll also be in charge of coordinating our popular annual Careers Seminar.
2. QUIZ NIGHT
The 2013 charity quiz night was another success, with around 120 participants and around $1350 being raised for Tohoku. More importantly, we were able to maintain awareness in the problems still facing the region.
We would like to thank UWA JapSSoc and all our generous sponsors again. Without their help, the event would not have been possible. Look over the list of links below and please use these businesses where possible!
Nao Japanese Restaurant: Perth’s original ramen restaurant, on Murray Street. Home-made authentic ramen made fresh every day, and other great dishes, open 7 days. Nao have been great supporters of the quiz night for years now.
Nippon Food: The starting point if you are looking for Japanese grocery items in Perth. At Crossways Subiaco.
JA NEWS: The free monthly Japanese-English newspaper for Perth, always packed with interesting articles and info. JA NEWS has been supporting JETAAWA since year dot.
INPEX: Another long-time and much-appreciated supporter of JETAAWA, INPEX is a worldwide oil and gas exploration and production company with a major office here in Perth.Check for job opportunities!
Chiyoda Oceania: A world-leading integrated engineering company with offices here in Perth. Again, stay tuned for employment opportunities.
Oxford Street Books: Another old favourite, it’s been keeping us fashionably intelligent in Leederville since I can remember.
43 Below: Familiar to us all as the underground bar on the corners of Hay and Barrack Streets that has played host to kaiWA since its inception.
UWA Tavern: There would be no quiz without the support of Gary and his team at the Tav!
Terrace Print: This printing and design business is a new supporter for 2013, located conveniently in Allendale Square downstairs from Trinity Arcade in the CBD.
Unicredit: Unicredit has been on board for years. They offer financial services designed and delivered with the traditional credit society philosophy: highly personalised service, fair fees, great rates and flexible products that are specially designed to meet the banking needs of Western Australians.
Lotterywest: Heaps of fun on the night for those who were there. Remember, it’s only with the continued support of lotto players that Lotterywest is able to maintain its support for so many causes and groups in WA.
Navitas English College: Australia’s oldest and largest English language college, with some awesome teachers, including our Treasurer.
Broadway Pizza: Another long-time supporter of our quiz night through food and coupon donations. Great pizza forever, just near UWA but with sister stores at other locations in Wembley and Applecross.
Iku Sushi: Another new benefactor, this sushi tasted great at the quiz night. Find it at 140 William St.
3. GUIDES / CONTACTS FOR VISITING TAISHI SHS STUDENTS
In July-August 2013, 8-10 students from Taishi High School in Hyogo Prefecture are coming to Perth. As part of their itinerary they will be doing some day tours.
Their current ALT, a Perth JET, has asked whether any JETAAWA members would be happy to put their Japanese skills to the test and interpret as required for the kids during these tours.
The students will also be staying with host families during their time in Perth and in the past there have apparently been some communication difficulties between the student and the hosts. We are also therefore looking for people who would like to volunteer as an additional contact point during this time.
Let us know either way at president@jetaawa.com. Things are still in the initial planning stages, so at the moment this is more of an information-gathering activity.
4. AJS FAMILY DAY
The Australia-Japan Society is having its family day at Kagoshima Park on Sunday 24 March 2013. Details are on the attached flyer:
