2019 Election Results – JETAA-FL Board

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The results are in.

We have three newly-elected members to the Florida JETAA board. They are:

President: Gigi Ross

Vice President: Allan Mordetsky (will be returning for another term)

Webmaster: Lisa Play

Congratulations!

Thank you to all of our candidates for participating in this election and offering your time and talent to Florida JETAA. Also, appreciation is extended to our members who voted.

Our current President and Webmaster are busy preparing for the upcoming transition. Stay tuned!

 

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

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2019 Elections – JETAA-FL Board

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Vote Today!

It takes LESS THAN 1 MINUTE!

Cast your vote here!

Voting closes Sunday, January 27 at 11:55 PM. Any votes received after this date will be discounted.

VOTING ELIGIBILITY

  • ONLY former JET Participants and Registered Members of Florida JETAA are eligible to vote. To Register: https://floridajetaa.org/about/joining-florida-jetaa/
  • “Friends of JET” are not eligible to cast a vote.

Your vote will be kept confidential. Only the current Florida JETAA President, Lauren Sorondo (not running for re-election), will see your vote. We ask for personal information to verify that you are a JET alumnus.

Nominee Platforms

President

“GIGI” ROSS

My name is Geri Ross, but most call me GiGi. I was a municipal ALT from 2017-2018 in the tiny Kyoto town of Ujitawara-cho, the birthplace of green tea. My hobbies include traveling and singing karaoke, so I look forward to volunteering at events around the state and organizing some group karaoke sessions.

Prior to JET, I was an Asian Studies major at FIU and had visited Japan four times, twice on study abroad programs and twice on sponsorship for winning essay and speech contests. I was also the first recipient of the Omar K. Carrion Memorial Scholarship in honor of another JET alum who tragically passed away in 2013.

I credit JETAA members and events for my initial interest in the JET Program; it was former Florida chapter President Bahia Simons-Lane who first inspired me to apply. Because of the JETAA friends I made as an undergrad, I knew even before my program started that I wanted to be an active member of JETAA when I returned.

My current work is not related to Japan, so I view this position as a way to stay involved with Japan and express my passion for the JET Program. I hope to not only support current JET alumni, but also inspire future JET participants to apply. I believe that my high energy and forward momentum will be great assets to the Florida chapter.

Vice President

ALLAN MORDETSKY

Greetings and Salutations FLJETAA!

I’ve had the pleasure of being our Vice President and enjoyed it so much I’m running again. I remember being in Japan and many people, some whom I didn’t know, helped me on my journey and time in my second home. Now, I pay it forward in FLJETAA helping our organization and supporting our President, officers, and Jetlings. I hope to continue helping and ask that you consider me for VP during this election. Take care ya’ll and hope to see you soon!

 

 

LESLIE WIER

Leslie was a High School ALT on JET from 2013 – 2017 in Hiroshima City. While there, she also served as the National AJET Director of Professional and Education development for the 2015-2016 term. Following her return to the U.S., she completed a Master’s in Education from the University of Missouri in Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology. She now works as a health coach for a quickly growing start-up.

Since her return, she has served Florida JETAA by delivering JET information sessions at Florida universities and volunteering on the committee for the organizations first Professional Development Workshop. Leslie has a passion for contributing to organizations with a focus on positivity, transparency, and growth.  She’s excited for the opportunity to contribute to Florida JETAA as its VP and looks forward to helping it grow into an organization that provides comprehensive support for Florida JET Alumni.

Webmaster

GABRIELA CUEVAS

My name is Gabriela S. Cuevas. I was in Niigata Prefecture, 2017-2018. I’m currently a store manager. I enjoy spending time with my family. I’m very passionate about movies. I try to go almost every week to the movie theater. I’m a big foodie and enjoy discovering new restaurants.

 

 

 

 

LISA PLAY

Lisa Play is a recent JET returnee after spending two years in Haha Matsu, Shizuoka Prefecture from 2016 to 2018. As Webmaster, Lisa strives to provide relevant and meaningful posts that keep Florida JET alumni connected to fellow JET alumi, their Japanese communities, and ongoing cultural activities throughout the state. An aspiring librarian, she is aware of how stories can bring together communities and motivate them towards future endeavors. Lisa lives in Tallahassee, where she is pursuing her Master in Information Studies.

 

 

VOTE NOW!
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JET Furusato Vision Project

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JET alumni have an opportunity to revisit their home from when they were employed on the JET Program and make new contributions in those communities. CLAIR and local governments of Japan have recently begun the JET Furusato Vision Project to send over a number of lucky alumni with the hopes of further promoting globalisation.

To learn more, please visit http://jetprogramme.org/en/furusatovisionproject/ and https://www.facebook.com/furusatovisionproject/?hc_location=group.

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Jeenie – Opportunities for bilingual Japanese speakers to earn extra income

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JeenieTM is a mobile app that connects travelers on demand via video/audio with LIVE linguists who can help them with language and cultural issues (think “Uber” for languages). Linguists can sign up at absolutely no cost and then decide how much, how often and where they would like to work. It all takes place in cashless transactions, worldwide, 24/7, via smartphone. More information is at Jeenie.com. 

There are significant opportunities for bilingual Japanese speakers to earn extra income right now, and JET alumni may be good candidates for providing services on the platform. You can work on your own schedule from home (or almost anywhere) and get paid for your valuable language skills. Jeenie would be delighted to welcome JET alumni to their community of Language Jeenies! To apply, a PDF flier is available for download here. 

 

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The Great American Teach-In | Tues. Nov. 13

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Do you miss the classroom? Are you interested in sharing your Japan experience at a school? In mid-November, schools across the nation will be participating in the Great American Teach-in, where professionals and parents can visit and teach students about a topic of their choosing.

If this interests you, a clever and kid-friendly powerpoint presentation about Japan is available for you to use. Email Dolly at webmaster@floridajetaa.org and we can send it your way. 

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18th Annual Orlando Japan Festival | Nov 4

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This is one of the largest Japan festivals in Florida. This is the 18th annual.
Admission is FREE!
When:  Sun. 11/4, 11am-5pm
Where: Kissimmee Lakefront Park – 69 Lakeshore Blvd. Kissimmee, FL 34741

On stage performances:

  • Koto
  • Iai
  • Judo
  • Taiko drumming

Also featuring special guest performer Mr. Yasunori Kimatawe, who is a live Shodo artist. Shodo (or Shuji) is a Japanese form of calligraphy. Mr. Kimata will paint live, using various brush strokes and movements.

Join the festival for the authentic Japanese food, performances, and experience Japan right in Orlando!

For more information, please visit the Japan Association of Orlando website.

Volunteers Needed!

Florida JETAA will have a presence at the Orlando Japan Festival by manning a booth. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Share information and your own personal experience about the JET Program with youth and parents at the festival
  • Make new connections in the Japanese community of Central Florida
  • Reconnect with other JET alumni
  • Enjoy the festival!

Assistance that will be needed:

  • Tent setup at 10 am
  • Tent breakdown at 5 pm
  • Encourage visitors to participate in our games and photo booth for donations
  • Collect donations for Florida JETAA and other causes

These shifts are available. (Feel free to stick around as long as you’d like. )

  • 10 am – noon (set up and beginning of festival)
  • noon – 2 pm
  • 2 pm – 4 pm
  • 4 pm – 6 pm (end of festival and breakdown)

Please contact Hartley at newsletter@floridajetaa.org or Dolly at webmaster@floridajetaa.org, if you would like to volunteer. Thank you for your support!

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