JETAA Chapters from across the UK will converge on Birmingham this weekend for the our Annual General Meeting. It is an opportunity for chapters to share ideas, experiences and to coordinate activities in the coming year.
2010 was a special year for JETAA-UK, as we celebrated our 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, we launched a project through our website to capture stories and photos from both the JET Programme and the Alumni Association over the last two decades. We had a fantastic response receiving over 50 photos from members and a series of testimonials. Articles relating to our 20 year celebrations have appeared throughout the year on our website and in the JLGC Myriad Leaves publication.
Given the significance of 2010 to JETAA, it was also very fitting that the Scotland Chapter hosted this year’s International Meeting in Edinburgh. Delegates from 14 countries with active alumni associations attended to agree on a blueprint for the future of the association at an international level. The event, which included a traditional Scottish cèilidh was incredibly well received and was a real testament to the hard work of the organising committee at JETAA Scotland.
Throughout the year, there was also lots of activity at a local and national level across the UK. JETAA London successfully hosted the annual Careers Information Day for returning participants and a pre-departure Q&A session. JETAA was able to promote the JET programme at the Japan Matsuri and through university presentations. Other chapters organised local grassroots events such as picnics, hikes and cultural outings.
Our website has continued to enjoy strong traffic volumes, with over 1,500 visits each month and our online presence has also been complimented through the creation of a JETAA-UK Facebook page. Our jobs section is especially popular, with 126 vacancies advertised in the last year.
I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has contributed to our activities this year at either a local, national or international level, whether through organising, supporting or participating in an event. As a voluntary organisation, we rely on solely on the generosity, goodwill and enthusiasm of our committed members, and your endeavours have been greatly appreciated.
Neil Taylor
Outgoing National Chair
