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The JETAA Chicago Leadership is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone in our community. To learn more review our Community Conduct & Agreements.
Join us for a private, online Wagashi workshop on Sunday, July 14th, 2 pm CST, making two types of nerikiri with Toshiko Sugii Steffes. Participants pay for the class and supplies which will be sent ahead of the class. Cost: $45 per person + kit shipping fee of $6 - 7.00 per package. A link for payment and to submit your address for delivering the supply kit will be sent after signing up. The class lasts around 1.5 hours. Please RSVP by 6/29! Sign up and see details below.
We would like to introduce you to your JETAA Chicago Leadership Team for the 2024-2025 term! This series of officer profiles will give you a closer look at each officer's role responsibilities, motivations for pursuing a leadership role in JETAA Chicago, goals for this year, insights into their personalities, and more.
New this year, our Treasurer, Amber Jackson (Sher/her), was an ALT in Nara from 2016-2019.
Tell us more about your JET experience.
While on JET I worked as an ALT at an International High School. In my free time I took dance classes and studied Korean. I lived and worked in Nara, so I often went up to Nara city to visit play with the deer!
When did you join/how long have you been on the JETAA Chicago Leadership Board? If applicable: what positions have you held and when?
I joined as the Treasurer in March 2024.
What skills and experience do you bring to the JETAA Chicago leadership team?
I'm highly skilled in MS Excel, I have previous experience working as a treasurer in other organizations, and I have near JLPT N1 level fluency in Japanese.
What inspired you to step up as a leader and join the JETAA Chicago Board?
I love being involved in the Japan-related volunteer organizations. This is a great way for me to get more involved with the Chicago chapter and make significant contributions.
What is the essence/purpose of your role? (if you're a new officer, tell us more about what you are looking forward to in your officer role on the JETAA Chicago board)
The main purpose of my role is to maintain the group's budget and provide reimbursement and honorarium when applicable.
Since our officers must embody and practice our Community Conduct and Agreements, which principle do you think is the most important, and/or which one resonated with you the most?
Stay engaged and actively listen. We were given 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason.
What is something you want to accomplish and/or focus on in your role as an officer?
I want to focus on making sure that we can secure the funding to host a wide variety of both in person and virtual events.
For you, what sparks joy?
• Listening to great music
• Eating great food
• Traveling to new places
• Going to concerts
• Hanging out with my friends
What is your favorite Japanese "thing" near where you live now (and/or in the Midwest)?
The Japanese Garden near the Museum of Science and Industry.
The annual Japan Festival Chicago was a great success over the weekend on Sunday, 6/16. It brought the true feeling of a Japanese summer festival to big crowds at Millennium Park, with games such as kingyo-sukui (goldfish scooping), lines of booths with festival food like tornado potato (my favorite), traditional music and dancing, and the steamy summer sun. Being there to support the Chicago Japanese American Council for the second year in a row, it was great to see familiar faces, and I had a blast helping Mariko Kallister, Chicago’s master of handmade soba noodles. Catch it again next year for a taste of Japan!
- Sara Brown, JETAAC Philanthropy Lead
