August Open Board Meeting - Tonight!

When:

Monday, August 3, 2020 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Where:

ONLINE - IN YOUR OWN HOME!

Topics for Discussion

• 2020-2021 Elections

• Chapter Status Updates

• Virtual JETogethers in 2020

• Survival Series 2020 Expansion

• And more!

Interested in joining today? Let us know if you can attend in person or if you would like to conference in by signing up here!

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What is an Open Board Meeting?

Previously known as Monthly Member Meetings, Open Board Meetings are open to all JET alumni in the Chicagoland area. The first Monday of each month, we get together to discuss events from the past month, any upcoming events in the near future, and news relevant to JETAA.

Meetings are also a chance for non-board members to share ideas, get involved in JETAA Chicago activities, and make connections in the alumni community.

Halfway There: JETAA Chicago 2020 Survival Series Continues

The 2020 Survival Series is going strong! We are currently halfway through our planned schedule, and it has been a whirlwind!

Our first event was the Outgoing JET Meet & Greet, held on June 20th. It was exciting to see the faces of our future Alumni and get to know them! It was also a great opportunity for the Outgoing JETs to get to know their fellow cohorts. During the event, our Alumni Mentors led small group discussions based on the OJ’s most pressing questions about life in Japan.

Next was the Outgoing JET Happy Hour! Alumni from three different decades and from all over the Midwest joined the newest members of our community for a night of casual conversation and engaging ice breaker activities. One of the highlights was a revealing AND educational discussion of nomikai and enkai culture in Japan - topics many alumni are . . . acutely familiar with.

Most recently, we held the Road Less Traveled: Alumni Stories event on July 11th. This was JETAA Chicago’s first storytelling event. We envisioned this as a gathering to celebrate all of the memorable moments that can occur when we step outside our comfort zone and embrace other cultures. The stories were a mix of informative and heartwarming; a solid representation of the wide variety of things we can experience as JETs. If you were unable to attend the event, you can listen to the stories on our Youtube channel.

We know there is a lot of uncertainty revolving around JET this year. Much more than usual. So JETAA Chicago has been eager to provide as much support as we can to our Outgoing JETs, whether it be information or just someone to talk to. With the move to online events, we’ve been able to reach much more of our Outgoing JET community than before. If you’re an Outgoing JET and have not yet been able to attend an event, don’t fret! There’s still more to come ;)

A Diversity of Experiences Panel

Sunday, July 26

3:00-5:00pm CST

The Event FKA "Mitsuwa Marketsweep"

Saturday, August 8

2:00-4:00pm CST

Still More Diverse Experiences Panel Discussion

Sunday, August 30

6:00-8:00pm CST

We are also working on adding additional events beyond August. Please keep an eye out for future announcements!

As a reminder, these events are for Outgoing JETs and designated Alumni Mentors ONLY. If you are a JETAA Chicago member and would like to participate in these events as a mentor, please fill in the form below and we will connect you with our Outreach Coordinator, Dylan.

We’re excited for the rest of the series!

Fold ‘N Sip Origami Night!

Are you an origami master?? Or perhaps you’re a complete novice, but always wanted to learn? Many a JET has experienced origami at some point during their tenure. Origami has become a way for Cassie (JETAA Chicago’s Activities Coordinator) to look back fondly on her time as an ALT.

My first year on JET, I made Christmas origami as cards for my coworkers. I had learned origami from my sister’s Japanese friend as a child, so it was nothing special to me. But it became so much more.

My teachers’ surprise that I knew how to do origami, and their delight at seeing the nontraditional shapes made them look forward to it each holiday. For the culture festival one year, I was asked to help make an origami display. When the students learned that I could do origami, they would often come to the office in their free time to learn. Holiday origami became a part of special holiday lessons and events, as well.

Origami was just a thing I knew how to do; such an old skill that it barely registered as something unique to Japan. Who knew that such a small thing could create so many different connections?

Our time on JET may be over, but we can still use these skills as a way to connect with our old lives. It is a simple way to connect to Japanese culture without requiring a lot of time and resources.

So join us on July 31st! Gather some paper, bring a drink, and co

Event Agenda:

7:00 - Introductions

7:15 - Kanpai

7:20 - Jumping frog

7:35 - Ninja star

7:50 - Crane

8:10 - Crane Race!

8:20 - Show and Tell

RSVP Here!

* This event is for JET alumni-only. If an alumni is social distancing with a Friend/Family of JET (FOJ), they are welcome to join on their screen with them.

Questions? Contact us at activities@jetaachicago.com