Survival Series Planning Meeting

Seeking Volunteers

Sunday, April 14, 2019 3 Greens Market (354 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654) 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm

The 6th Annual Survival Series will be happening this Spring-Summer 2019 and needs alumni mentors to help onboard the next generation of Outgoing JETs! 

The Survival Series is JETAA Chicago's premier event series that helps educate and train Outgoing JETs to be successful before they depart to Japan. We are in need of alumni volunteers to help with event planning, project/program management, presentations, writing content, coaching, webinars, and day-of operations.

Being located in Chicagoland area is not required. Suburban and JETAA Sub-Chapter alumni in Wisconsin and Indiana are welcome and wanted! 

Interested in learning more, getting involved, and joining the team? Please email the Outreach Coordinator, Ruby Benigno, at outreach@jetaachicago.com.

Plan on coming? Then RSVP here.

NatCon Co-chair Call

Image from JETAA USA

Our Chicago chapter will be hosting the 2019 National Conference (NatCon). We are in the early stage of planning, and the board has decided to have two Co-chairs head the conference.

We are in need of second Co-chair to help with the planning and organizing this event. Being a Co-chair for NatCon is amazing opportunity to engage with the national JET community and to build your professional network. Below are some responsibilities you will share with your co-chair, Shannon Copp:

• Finding a hotel

• Securing the CLAIR dinner venue

• Managing the CLAIR/MOFA budget with the support of the Country Reps

• Working with the local consulate for a welcome reception typically at the Consul General's home

• Working with the local consulate on the budget

• Recruiting speakers to present on topics that fit the agenda

• Reaching out to local government officials for speakers

• Fundraising

• Networking with local companies and organizations

• Organizing nijikais

Please know that as a Co-chairs, you will have the support of the JETAA Chicago Board and members. Co-chairs are also able to build a committee to assist with logistics.

Although the board has outsourced NatCon, we will be supervising and approving final decisions throughout this process. This requires both Co-chairs to have transparent communication with all members of the board via email, check-in calls, and in-person meetings.

If you are interested, please email info@jetaachicago.com by Friday March 15, 2019. In your email, please include the following:

• Placement and years on JET

• Event planning experience

• Skills and abilities that help with event planning

• Qualities that would make you a good Co-chair

Photo from JETAA USA

16th Annual JETAA Chicago Shinnenkai

Want a taste of Japan this new year? Then come to the 16th Annual JETAA Chicago Shinnenkaion January 19, 2019 (Saturday), from 5:00 to 8:00pm. The Japanese American Service Committee has graciously offered to host our evening of cultural celebration!

You must buy tickets on our Guestlist page for the event, which you can find here: https://guestli.st/591060

What Japanese things can you experience while there? Well...

• Japanese Food & Drink

• Calligraphy

• Ema Plaques

• Fukuwarai (Pin the Tail on the Donkey)

• Karuta (Playing Cards)

• Kimono Dress-up

• Onigiri (Rice Ball) Making

• Origami

And as always, all of our activities are free with the price of admission! Do note that events listed above are tentative and subject to change.

This year, in loving memory of Daniel Pruitt, a portion of the proceeds from ticket and Fukubukuro (Lucky Bags) sales will be donated to the Be The Match Foundation.

Again, you must purchase tickets here: https://guestli.st/591060

Be The Match Foundation

For the thousands of people diagnosed every year with life-threatening blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, a cure exists. Over the past 30 years Be The Match®, operated by the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP), has managed the largest and most diverse marrow registry in the world. They work every day to save lives through transplant. Visit www.bethematch.org to learn more about how you can help.

Volunteering to Help

Every year we have activity tables that alumni are in charge of for shifts. We will need members to help volunteer the day of with a number of items, including the calligraphy station, origami station, karuta station, onigiri station and more. We are also open to ideas of a station you may be able to host.

Please email info@jetaachicago.com if you are interested in volunteering.