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NatCon 2018, Denver CO

We are SO PROUD and GRATEFUL of our Info Officer Hartley Haft and our Superstar alumnus Aiyana Mathews for representing Florida Jetaa at the 2018 JETAA National Conference this past weekend! We’re looking forward to hearing the great things they learned, and using their ideas to create an even better experience for our members in the coming year.

Thanks, also, to the JETAA Rocky Mountain for hosting the conference this year, and JETAA USA – JET Program Alumni Association, as well as all the other wonderful organizations that make these annual conferences possible for our alumni chapters to learn and grow.

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2018 Pre-departure Orientation

JET Farewell Reception 8-3-2018, Official Residence, Miami

On Friday, August 3, several of our Florida alumni joined the outgoing group of JETs for Pre-Departure Orientation.  Wendy Lo, Allan Mordetsky, and Bryan Barber gave presentations to the group, preparing the 52 new JETs leaving from Miami to Japan the following day. Also in attendance at the Consulate’s reception was Lauren Sorondo (JETAA-FL President & JET Coordinator) and Kyle Litow (JETAA-FL Secretary), as well as many other alumni.

From September 2017, when the JET application process began, to the Pre-departure Orientation, JET Coordinator Lauren Sorondo played a major part in guiding these individuals to their new roles of cultural exchange. With the support of the Consulate General of Japan in Miami, they were well prepared to represent Florida on the JET Program.

 

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HELP WANTED! Tampa Natsumatsuri

Looking for help with the Tampa Natsumatsuri (Sat. 6/23)!
This #FREE Japanese festival is organized by JET Alumni from central Florida, but you don’t have to be Alumni to be a part of the festival! Help is needed to run game booths. We are also looking for people to join a Festival Committee to plan next year’s Natsumatsuri. Sponsored by the Florida JET Alumni Association (non-profit) and the Consulate General of Japan in Miami!

Please contact Festival Director Tom Gregorich if you would like to volunteer.

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WANTED: Natsumatsuri Festival Committee

Did you know that the Florida JETAA Natsumatsuri in Tampa has is our largest event each year? What started 13 years ago as a small, local festival run by former JETs has turned into a huge community event that draws over 800 guests! Most importantly, it remains a FREE community event run by volunteers.

After 13 years, John McGee and his family, who spearheaded and led Tampa Natsumatsuri, are returning to Japan. We are sad to see them go, but are excited for a chance to see the festival grow with a newly established Festival Committee under the leadership of Festival Director Tom Gregorich. You don’t have to live in Tampa to participate!

To Join

MESSAGE Tampa Kumicho or email Tampanatsumatsuri@gmail.com.

New committee members that join by June 5th will have a chance to shadow/learn from John directly how he has prepared the festival each year.

Positions

-Floor Manager
Arrange, direct, and monitor set up for festival. Main contact for vendors.

-Festival Treasurer
Keep budget, man front desk at festival

-Inventory Chair(s) (2) 
In charge of storage unit and inventory

-Activities Chair 
Coordinate all FLJETAA activity booths, recruit and direct volunteers

-Stage Manager
Coordinate all on-stage activities. MC.

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A Visit with the First Lady of Japan!

Some representatives of Florida Jetaa in West Palm Beach were invited to have tea with the First Lady of Japan, Mrs. Akie Abe! Thank you very much for dedicating time to sit with us during Prime Minister Abe’s visit with President Trump.

Thank you, also, to Mrs. Sugiyama (Wife of Ambassador of Japan to the U.S.), Consul General Ken Okaniwa (Consulate General of Japan in Miami), and Ms. Tanaka (Executive Assistant to Mrs. Abe). We thoroughly enjoyed discussing the impact that JET has had on our careers and our views of Japan, and how the JET Alumni network can further contribute to mutual, cultural understanding and foreign relations.

【Photos Copyright: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan】

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2018 Florida JETAA Board Election Results

Voting for the 2018-2020 Florida JETAA Board is complete and the results are in!  We would like to thank everyone for voting and congratulate all new officers.

Treasurer – Sean Beckwith
Secretary – Kyle Litow
Information Officer – Hartley Haft

Current Officers who will be up for re-election in 2019:

President – Lauren Sorondo
Vice President – Allan Mordetsky
Webmaster – Dolly Sanborn

Read bios of our officers, view contact information, and find out more about JETAA-FL here.

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Calling all Japanese language high school teachers in the US

We are now accepting applications from US high schools for the 2018-19 Global Classmates program, our grant-covered 6-month virtual cultural and language exchange for high school students in the US and Japan.

Move beyond the textbook and provide an opportunity for your upper level Japanese language students to practically learn Japanese in a fun and exciting way, while making friends with Japanese teens in Japan, all from your classroom!

If you are interested in applying, please fill out this simple form (https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSfkVleOHZntflcrJn…/viewform) and we will follow up with an application and further details. Applications must be received by April 18th, so be sure to get in touch with us right away!

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Congrats to all the new 2018 JETs out there!

Your new life awaits! Results of the final screening stage for the 2018 JET Program are being announced all across the United States this week and next! A big お疲れ様でした (otsukaresama deshita, “thank you for your hard work”) to everyone. For those applicants still waiting to hear the results, we appreciate your patience! And for all those who were selected, congratulations! We look forward to working with you in Japan!