Elected Positions
The deadline for Elected Position Platforms is can be found here (when ‘Applications Close’). Send your platforms to and .
See Application Rules and Guidelines for more information about submitting a platform. We also recommend that all interested applicants read Advice for Candidates page before deciding to apply for a position on the AJET National Council.
There are a total of 15 Elected Positions on the AJET National Council:
1) Chair
2) Vice Chair
3) Treasurer
4) 11 Block Representatives
5) CIR Representative
CHAIR
The National AJET Chair is the public face of AJET and acts as the organisation’s chief representative to the participants of the JET Programme, CLAIR, and other organisations. The Chair works with the Executive Council to set AJET’s yearly agenda and to make sure those goals are being accomplished.
Duties:
- Determining the agenda and annual goals of the National Council including AJET reports and surveys
- Regulating the activities and administrative affairs of National AJET
- Representing AJET at a range of events, including Tokyo Orientation
- Sharing in the responsibilities of the Vice Chair and Treasurer
- Representing JET Programme participants at the bi-annual Opinion Exchanges with CLAIR and the Three Ministries that regulate the JET Programme.
Skills:
- Experience with leadership, as well as interpersonal skills
- Japanese skills are preferred, but not required
- Must have excellent time management skills
- Excellent writing and speaking skills are preferable
VICE CHAIR
The Vice Chair works closely with the Chair and Treasurer to manage the National AJET Council. The Vice Chair shares in the day-to-day duties of the Chair and liaises with other members of the council to ensure that goals set by National AJET are being accomplished. Duties include supervising the elections, facilitating preparations and proceedings for the AJET National surveys, and preparing and organising minutes for meetings with Council Officers.
Duties:
- Sharing in the responsibilities of the Chair and Treasurer
- Representing AJET at a range of events, including Tokyo Orientation
- Organising and monitoring the AJET National Council elections. The Vice Chair will be responsible for selecting an election committee and ensuring the proper running of the National Council elections
- Assisting the Chair in the organizing, collating, and writing the surveys and reports for Bi-Annual Opinion Exchange meetings with CLAIR and the Three Ministries
- Recording and sharing the minutes of National Council meetings [Specifically minutes from Team Meetings, Individual Progress Reports and publishing Exec Internal Report]
- Liaising with representatives from CLAIR to share and receive information which benefits AJET and its participants.
Skills:
- Experience with leadership, as well as interpersonal and team management skills.
- Excellent time management skills
- Passion for wanting to improve and strengthen AJET for the benefit of all JET participants
- Ability to respond to emails in a fast and timely manner
- Excellent writing and speaking abilities
- Japanese skills are preferred, but not essential
TREASURER
The National AJET Treasurer works with the Chair and Vice Chair to administer and supervise the AJET budget, including all financial transactions. The Treasurer works with the other members of the Executive Council to ensure an efficient National AJET Council. The Treasurer also plays a supervisory role in matters pertaining to the function and productivity of the council.
Duties:
- Work with the Vice Chair to review, interpret and enforce the AJET Constitution and Bylaws, as well as the other rules and regulations of AJET
- Take a lead in investigating improvements in the executive affairs of AJET
- Deposits and payments via Japan Postal Savings
- Sharing in the duties of the Chair and Vice Chair where appropriate
- General bookkeeping for all National AJET activities
- Presentation of financial position to National Council members
Skills:
- Previous experience with accounting and bookkeeping
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel
- Experience with Japan Postal Savings banking
- Detail oriented and ability to multi-task
- Preferred knowledge of accounting software (i.e. Xero)
BLOCK REPRESENTATIVES
National AJET representatives work very hard to create a community for the 4,000+ JETs living and working in Japan. An integral part of this community is the AJET Block Representative System, which puts motivated JETs in charge of connecting JETs both locally and nationally to a variety of social and professional opportunities.
Duties:
- Raising issues experienced by and feedback from JETs within their Block to the National AJET Council
- Sitting on the National AJET Council and voting on policies and decisions that affect JETs across the country
- Ensuring that these topics are voiced at AJET’s bi-annual Opinion Exchanges with the JET Programme sponsors
- Supporting local JETs and JET groups with their projects by using National AJET expertise, resources, and communications channels
- Passing on information about useful AJET resources to JETs within their Block (such as the nationwide Tatami Timeshare Programme or AJET Peer Support Group)
- Organising events in their Block to help JETs widen their social circle and make the most out of their JET experience
There are no set criteria that AJET looks for in Block Representatives – our Block Representatives come from a variety of backgrounds and have a range of different professional and academic experiences. The most important thing for prospective applicants is that they are passionate about supporting their community and prepared to work hard to do so.
Please contact the representative listed below for more information.
CIR Representatives
As a member of the AJET National Council, the CIR Representatives are tasked with representing JET Programme CIRs in votes and decisions made by National AJET. Additionally, the CIR Representatives should seek to maintain, strengthen and create connections with the CIR community in order to foster a network of support for CIRs throughout Japan and abroad.
Duties:
- Ensure that National AJET’s agenda caters to the interests of CIRs
- Bring issues to the National Council’s attention and create initiatives to ensure CIR participation in National AJET
- Keep in direct contact with the CIR network and receive and transmit information through these connections
- Organise social events at CIR conferences
Skills:
- Candidates should have both English and Japanese language proficiency
Any inquiries?
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The winter months are finally starting to give way to warmer weather and I think it’s safe to say we are all ready for the new season. And with a new season comes a new issue of AJET CONNECT! Start off your spring by checking out the latest issue, full of stories about COVID’s effects on travel and the Olympics, teaching strategies and tips, ways to reconnect with the land through food, and so much more. CALLING ALL ARTISTS! Do you like to paint, draw, write, take photos, or do any other form of art out there? The AJET CONNECT art issue is on its way and will soon be looking for submissions, so please keep an eye out on our website and Instagram pages for announcements of submissions!