The votes have been counted and the results are in for the 2018-2019 JETAAWJ Officer Elections. Congratulations to Alberto, Pene, Rose and Mason who will take on the roles of Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary respectively. They will hold their positions from April 1st 2018 until March 31st 2019. See their platforms below for reference, and let’s congratulate them and wish them the best in their roles!
Chair- Alberto Servín
My name is Alberto Servín, and I wish to serve as the Chair of JETAA Western Japan (JETAAWJ) for the 2018-2019 JET year. I am originally from San José, California, USA, and was a CIR in Wakayama City of Wakayama Prefecture from 2015 to 2017. Since then, I have been living in Osaka and am currently working for Mori Kosan, a company that supports international students in Japan.
I joined JETAAWJ in August last year (2017) as a board member and assisted with organizing the 2017 JET Film Festival that fall. In January of this year, I planned and organized a JETAAWJ-sponsored job hunting and business manners seminar for current and former JETs in the area.
As Chair, I plan to increase support for current and former JETs with future career development through JETAAWJ-sponsored seminars/workshops and networking opportunities in our regional bloc. My motivation comes from the many current and former JETs I’ve met who want to stay in Japan but struggle to find employment beyond the teaching industry. Therefore, as chair, I want to continue to offer the job hunting & business manners seminar JETAAWJ organized this year (at least 2 to 3 times a year), to help fellow JETs with career support in Japan.
As Chair, I also want to increase social events and networking opportunities especially for alumni outside of Kansai. With my JETAAWJ team, I plan to organize events in other areas (Chubu, Shikoku and Kyushu) to make it easier to reach out to members in other parts of the Western Japan bloc. I’m hoping through these events, we can also increase the interactions between current and former JETs, with us alumni as support or networking references for current JETs who wish to stay in Japan after their time on the Programme.
If elected as Chair, I will do my best to fulfill these promises mentioned above and continue to contribute to the JET Programme through my capacity as an officer on the JETAA Western Japan council. Thank you for your consideration. I hope to serve as your Chair in JETAAWJ for the 2018 – 2019 JET year.
Vice Chair- Pene Dalton
Kia ora! Hello!
My name is Pene Dalton, and I have resided in the south of Japan for the past 18 years. My hometown is Auckland, New Zealand.
In addition to 5 years on JET serving as ALT, Nagasaki ALT Prefectural Advisor, and Specialist Prefectural Advisor, I have professional experience in banking and the airline industry.
I have laid roots in Nagasaki, taking tenure at one of the country’s most prestigious private schools, and buying a house that overlooks the city that I consider home.
Along with my wife and our three hybrid children, I will probably be living in our beautiful corner of Japan for the foreseeable future.
I’ve been involved with JETAAWJ for a few years, serving as secretary last year. This year I’m hoping to serve in the vice chair role if possible.
As a long time Nagasaki, and Kyushu resident, I have built good relationships with local Japanese leaders at both local government level, and business level.
I look forward to helping the chapter have a stronger regional presence if elected.
Treasurer- Nuntica (Rose) Tanasugarn
Location: Shimane (ALT 1990-93, ALT 2003-06)
Current location: Kobe
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Since 2012, I have served as officer for JETAA Western Japan. For the last 6 years in various chapter leadership positions, I have formed ties for the chapter with AJET National, consular officials in Kansai, the Japan America Society Osaka, and the American Chamber of Commerce Japan, as well as JETAA
leaders from around the world.
Most recently I served as Secretary and worked closely with the chapter chair to expand the range of events hosted and have continued to form government and business connections that will benefit chapter members.
The JET Film Festival was an event I was especially proud of planning and implementing. Guests from the US Consulate Osaka-Kobe and CLAIR were also in attendance and ¥41,000 was raised for the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund.
I have familiarity with CLAIR’s budget request forms and local funding organizations and have served as unofficial chapter treasurer since 2015. I would like to serve as official treasurer to work with the officers and provide support and advice for them as part of the chapter leadership team.
Thank you for your consideration.
Secretary- Mason Su
Thank you for your consideration.
Congratulations, and good luck leading JETAAWJ on to bigger and better things!
JETAA Western Japan 