Past Councils

AJET Achievements

Following here is a summary of AJET’s history and achievements, presented in reverse chronology starting with the most recent National Council. To jump straight to a particular year, use the following links.

2009-2010 (Chair: Ms Jennifer Park)
[National Council Members]

  • Created the new AJET website and AJET Press
  • Initiated the second edition of Planet Eigo
  • Presented at the Nakasendo Conference
  • Joined the JALT Domestic Affairs Committee
  • Distributed 30,000 OUP Graded Readers all over Japan, courtesy of Oxford University Press.
  • Made Tatami Timeshare free of cost.

2008-2009 (Chair: Ms Sarah Lineker)
[National Council Members]

  • Launched JET Effect and the new AJET logo
  • Presented at the JALT Conference
  • Presented at the Nakasendo Conference
  • Reorganized the training system for the Peer Support Group (PSG)

2007-2008 (Chair: Mr Michael Shu)
[National Council Members]

  • Introduced new JETAA Workshops at Tokyo Orientation (Professional Speakers for Career Development related workshops)
  • Introduced the new National AJET Logo
  • Reinstated the Public Relations Liaison position
  • Created JET Effect

2006-2007 (Chair: Ms Rosalyn Adams)
[National Council Members]

  • Instigated Free Skype Calls for AJET members at Tokyo Orientation
  • Created Prefectural Advisor Liaison
  • Planet Eigo Textbook creation
  • 12th Teaching Awards
  • 2nd Internationalization Awards
  • Discover Japan Project Updated to a Wiki
  • Online Tatami Timeshare
  • JALT Workshops at Tokyo Orientation (Professional Speakers for teaching related workshops)
  • Increased usage of Peer Support Group. 142% increase in monthly talk time.

2005-2006 (Chair: Mr Froilan Vispo)
[National Council Members]

  • Launched new AJET website featuring bilingual interface and content
  • Published five editions of our national magazine “AJET Across Japan” (free for AJET members)
  • Published and distributed fully bilingual monthly E-Bulletins to AJET members
  • Established the AJET Internationalization Awards
  • Published “Foxy Phonics”
  • First-ever AJET Career and Education Fair at the 2006 Conference for Returning JETs
  • Designed new online membership database system
  • Launched bilingual online submission forms for AJET TAP, IAP and Haiku & Photo contests
  • Published Tatami Timeshare in a new, easy-to-read format with online version
  • Launched first-ever fully bilingual online surveys for JETs and their Japanese co-workers
  • Launched four new Special Interest Groups – Hispanic and Latino, Jewish, Pepy Ride and Socially Responsible Investing
  • AJET Games in Tottori, Hyogo, Kochi and Tokushima
  • Organized the AJET Desk, Secretariat and Info Fair at Tokyo Orientations A and B
  • Restructured AJET Info Fair at Tokyo Orientation
  • Published all-colour Tokyo Orientation Guide with fully bilingual content
  • Organized 30 AJET Workshop sessions on 13 topics at Tokyo Orientations
  • “JET and Beyond” book sold out
  • AJET representation at both Tokyo Orientation C and April Orientation
  • Organized JET Open Day at Tokyo National Museum with the English Speaking Union of Japan (ESUJ)
  • Initiated new partnership with Japan Association of Language Teachers (JALT)
  • Published 12 reports (English and Japanese) for the AJET-CLAIR-MEXT Opinion Exchange Meetings and made available online

2004-2005 (Chair: Mr David Cowland-Cooper)

  • Published the 7th edition of Team Taught Pizza
  • Published national monthly E-Bulletins for AJET members
  • Initiated Discover Japan online
  • Published a bilingual AJET Marketing Prospectus.
  • Expanded AJET Games.
  • Organized JET Open Day at Tokyo National Museum with the English Speaking Union of Japan (ESUJ)
  • Published the AAJ Guidebook for the Recontracting Conferences
  • Offered 19 workshops at both Tokyo Orientations
  • Published 12 AJET-CLAIR-MEXT reports

2003-2004 (Chair: Ms Amanda Cornaglia)

  • Complete re-design and restructuring of the AJET website www.ajet.net
  • Produced the first AJET Pre-Departure Welcome Pack.
  • Significantly strengthened the AJET-CLAIR working relationship.
  • Established AJET Games.
  • Established the AJET International Exchange Program.
  • Initiated the AJET Across Japan-Tatami Timeshare package deal, quadrupling the AAJ subscription rate.
  • Tatami Timeshare published in a handy A5 color format.
  • AJET Across Japan upgraded to color cover.
  • Produced the first full-color AJET Pocket Guide for JET conferences.
  • Significant improvements made to Guidebook content and layout.
  • Held the first AJET Haiku, Cartoon and Photo Contests.
  • Offered 18 successful AJET workshops during both Tokyo Orientations.
  • All Tokyo Orientation handouts made available online.
  • Created an online FAQ list.
  • Significantly increased funding for Peer Support Group.
  • Largest ever number of nominations received for National Team Teaching Awards (70).
  • All reports to CLAIR and the ministries made available online.
  • Extensive revision of the AJET Operational Procedures Handbook.
  • Created individual Officer and Liaison position Handbooks.
  • Published a bilingual AJET Marketing Prospectus.
  • Created separate CIR and SEA Representative positions.
  • First Contracting Organisation Evaluation conducted with 321 responses.
  • Translated the CLAIR Contracting Organisation Manual into English.
  • Set up JETs of African Descent, Cantonese Speakers, Manga & Anime, Anthropology, JLPT Study Group, and Role-Players SIGs.

2002-2003 (Chair: Mr Anthony Hall)

  • Initiated online voting system for national elections.
  • Introduced independent evaluation system of Contracting Organisations for JET Programme participants.
  • AJET Marketing Prospectus published.
  • Upgraded website and changed address to www.ajet.net
  • Standardised email addresses to Position@AJET.net
  • Highly successful workshops at Conferences prompting CLAIR to increase number of AJET-presented workshops at Tokyo Orientations.
  • Introduced new AJET Constitution.
  • Rectified imbalance in administrative Blocks, increasing the number from 10 to 11.
  • First completely bilingual Tatami Timeshare published.
  • AJET National Officer Contract introduced.
  • Follow-up report system introduced for reports presented to CLAIR.
  • 6th edition of Team Taught Pizza published.
  • JET and Beyond 2003 published.

2001-2002 (Chair: Ms Angie Brockel)

Implemented free National Membership fee. Changed national AJET web site location to www.AJETOnline.org. Met with and created communication link with National Teacher’s Workers Union. Instituted online elections. Created National AJET General member’s list serve to keep all members better informed of AJET activities. Updated AJET Constitution and presented it to AGM for approval.

2000-2001 (Chair: Ms Sarah Nock)

AAJ Online was created to keep members informed and reduce costs for members who did not want the paper version. Created the JET Mentor Network web site (a networking resource for past and current JETs). AJET Representatives list-serve. NC Members participate in JET Alumni Assoc Annual meeting. Prefectural membership is made optional. Motion to eliminate membership fees in 2001-2 year is approved. Created a professional web site for National AJET.

1999-2000 (Chairs: Mr Jeff Pennington, Ms Jamie Martin)

AJET’s web-site address changed to www.ajet.org. The Destinations Homepage, a resource for non-renewing JETs, replaced the proposed Destinations Fair. AJET Publications JET and Beyond 2000 and Team Taught Pizza 5th ed. were published. AJET Teaching Awards honor 30 winners from across Japan and is featured in the CLAIR newsletter. Gender and Culture Issues AJET Workshop are conducted at Tokyo Orientations. The Spanish Speakers’ NG is established. The final AJET Day at Kobe Conference is held. Y600,000 of AJET Emergency Funds were donated to Japan Emergency Relief Operations. The CIR/SEA established as an elected position.

1998-1999 (Chair: Mr Tim Conton)

Successfully lobbied for consent permitting the sales of AJET publications at CLAIR-sponsored conferences. AJET Across Japan published monthly. Expanded Group Associate Member Programme to 39 members. Created an Education Liaison to handle the AJET Teaching Awards. Published Taking Nihonjin to Gaikokuland. Created the National CIR Representative position.

1997-1998 (Chair: Mr Neal Moses)

The Outdoor SIG was created, a referendum to restructure the NC was held, the AJET Fall Packet was mailed out to all AJET members, the AJET Teaching Awards were expanded to include all areas of Japan, and the 3rd Edition of the AJET Team Taught Pizza went to print.

1996-1997 (Chair: Mr Dan Lintz)

The Korean Nationality Group was established. AJET Constitution translated into Japanese, AJET’s first fully bi-lingual publication (The JET Environmental Action Guide) is produced, and Guidebooks are produced for Kobe Renewers’ Conference and Tokyo Orientation for the first time. A full-color AJET information brochure is produced. The Group Associate Membership Programme established to build better relations between AJET and the business community (24 members). The AJET Career Fair in Tokyo is held in June (1997). AJET Across Japan produces a bi-lingual edition. AJET World Wide Web Page created. Language Education SIG, SCUBA SIG, and Eco SIG established. AJET Job Fair for non-renewing JET’s interested in pursuing a job in Japan or with a Japanese company is held. AJET Constitution underwent major revisions.

1995-1996 (Chair : Mr Francis Fernandes)

The AJET Charity show at the 1995 Renewers Conference raised over half a million yen. Subscriptions to SIGs, Nationality groups and AJET books made optional. AJET Annual General Meeting for members revived. AJET across Japan newsletter replaced AJET magazine. History of AJET compiled and printed. Representation of JETs’ work through AJET made more effective through bilingual printed information and meetings in Japanese with official JET sponsors. Financial Procedures Handbook written.

1994-1995 (Chair: Ms Tonia Ing)

Team Taught Pizza book started, Stonewall and JET Jewish Network set up. The Kobe Great Hanshin Earthquake Relief fund raised over one million yen. Parliamentary Procedure introduced at National Council meetings.

1993-1994 (Chair: Mr Bill Egbert)

Business SIG and the AJET Scholarship fund were set up, Non-Renewers handbook underwent a major change, and the AJET Operational Procedures Handbook was written.

1992-1993 (Chair: Mr Paul Irons)

AJET Constitution revised, Spectrum support network for JETs of colour set up.

1991-1992 (Chair: Mr John Elsner)

AJET’s Japanese name changed from “The Foreign Youths Club” to “The JET Programme Participants Organisation”, Computer Support SIG set up.

1990-1991 (Chair: Ms Van Le)

Married JETs Support SIG set up, and AJET Prefectural chapters given greater administrative autonomy.

1989-1990 (Chair: Ms Amy Wilson)

AJET conducted workshops at the Tokyo Orientation. Tatami Timeshare travel network set up. The AJET Lookbook and the Alumni Association were officially adopted by the JET Programme.

1988-1989 (Chair: Mr Robert Juppe)

First issue of AJET magazine printed. The AJET block and nationality representatives system, the Alumni Association, Women’s Group, and Minority Support Group were set up. AJET began to work closely with Monbusho and CLAIR to give input for the Mid Year Block Conferences (MYBCs) and Orientations. The AJET Kyoto Spring Conference was officially adopted as the JET Programme Renewers’ Conference and AJET planned and conducted the workshops (AJET Day started).

1987-1988 (Co-Chairs: Mr Charles Browne, Ms Lucy Van de Brul)

The AJET Prefectural and National Officers system is set up; regional newsletters, the AJET Lookbook (telephone and address directory of JETs), the AJET Non-Renewers’ book (forerunner of today’s JET and Beyond book) and the Medical Directory were produced. The first AJET Kyoto Spring Conference for all renewing JET participants was held. International Society, Christian Support Group, and Peer Support Group were set up.

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