Update: Thank you for voting, Kelly is your new AJET President.

Please read the following platforms and choose in the poll at the bottom. The vote is open only to current or incoming JETs. Please vote once (we can tell if you break this).

Danielle:

First, I want to abolish the title “AJET President”. It is a confusing
title because it has no association with the actual AJET organization.
As in previous years the correct title should be more along the lines of
“Social/Charity Event Planner”, which I want to officially change it to.
But this title does not limit anyone else from planning and organizing
other events which many JETs have done in the past, such as themed
events (Pirates & Ninjas/80’s Party), Orphanage visits, and the annual
Charity Bike Ride. I am always looking for new ideas, suggestions, and
to help out whenever I can. Essentially my door is always open…and to
those of you who have been to my apartment you know that statement is
both figuratively and literally true.

I want to keep planning the traditional parties like all the Welcome
events for the new JETs. I enjoyed doing it last year and through
experience have learned what has worked and what hasn’t, what many JETs
like to do, and how to raise money through our events for charity. I
have several connections with other people in the non-JET community that
help with events, locations, and ideas.

I am very impressed by Kelly’s initiative to make next year a better
year for JETs. I like change and always think improvement can be made.
This is why I have encouraged Kelly to create a new title for the role
she wants to play this coming year. I think we can both accomplish our
goals without conflict or having to “share” power and keep everyone
happy. Kelly has told me that if she wins, she still wants me to
continue planning parties. And I have told her that if I win, I still
want her to put her goals into action. So the way I see it, we are not
competing for the same thing here. I believe we should both do what we
want, since that is what we all should feel encouraged to do. We are
all adults and have our own power to use as we see fit. If you want to
raise money for a different charity or have friends from other kens and
like their ideas please share them with all of us. If you would like to
tell others about the fabulous cultural activity you participate in,
then please do. If you hear about a great local event in your area,
please pass on the information. We can only make people be as active as
they want to be.

On a side note–I did agree to this election when Kelly told me she
wanted to have it. If people don’t think I did a good enough of a job
or would rather see someone else plan events then I totally understand
and after all the Welcome Events, which I already have in the makings, I
will let someone else take over. But since the goal of this election
was to hear from the JET community then I don’t think it should count if
a majority of JETs do not vote. Kelly has said she wants the support of
the JETs otherwise she won’t go through the trouble of this, so if only
15 people vote, no matter who the majority is for, that doesn’t really
show the attitude and wishes of the JET community. I do not want to
turn this into a popularity contest or some crazy campaigning nightmare.
We should not have to resort to that kind of behavior.
-Empress D

Kelly:

I think it is important to keep a structure in which there is a clear contact person for outside organizations. I would like Oita AJET to keep a structure which the Japanese are familiar with, as I think this with smooth relations with both Sonezaki-sensei and other organizations which we might work with in the future.

I want to see AJET take a more active, ken-wide and community-centered role. In addition to the bike trip, orphanage visits, and AJET minglers, I would like to organize participation by AJET in activities such as the upcoming kokutai demonstration sports, festivals, and Oita City’s Intercultural Youth Exchange Day. I would also like to try some of the events that have been mentioned to me, like a game day and overnight camping trip. I would like to create a network between CIRs, the Tombo, and AJET. I would generally like to utilize and support the CIRs more, as they are in charge of many cross-cultural events. I am sure there is opportunity for general involvement in at least some of their projects.

Furthermore, while I would like to continue supporting Room to Read, I think it is important that AJET try and give back to the community that supports it. So, I would like to also donate to an Oita-based charity (there are many) or create a new one depending on need and feasibility. I like the idea of funding black-list students for high school, but the logistics might be tricky.

I would like to organize trips and events in places other than Oita City. I would like to at least have one event in Hita, one in Beppu, one in Yufuin, and one at a really nice beach (possibly south, near Miyazaki). I would also like to organize an AJET trip outside of the ken, possibly skiing in Hiroshima since I had a lot of fun with that last year and could set it up easily.

Lastly, I would like to create a survey to see where the interests of the present members lie and customize events based on those preferences. I would also like to create an actual governing body with a secretary and treasurer and vice president, as well as committee chairs for party planning, trip planning, and cultural event planning to give more people the chance to be involved.

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu!

Voting

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