UPCOMING EVENTS

2008 Annual Golf Tournament and Installation Luncheon

 Calling all golfers!  It's "tee off" time! 

Our popular Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, September 20th 2008 at the Monterey Park Golf Course! Regardless of whether you are experienced or not…everyone has a chance at making a birdie, an eagle, or a hole-in-one!  Both JET alumni and Friends of JETs (FOJs) are welcome!!

Tee time: 9:00 am at Monterey Park Golf Course

Price: $10

*More information will be provided for those who RSVP by the requested date below.

2008 INSTALLATION LUNCHEON

Following the golf tournament will be our installation luncheon at Ocean Star Restaurant conveniently located 2 miles away.  We cordially invite you to join us for this special event.  It combines an afternoon of recognition to the current officers and alumni who have graciously committed to leading the success of JETAASC.  We will also introduce the new officers for 2008-2009.  So, come and meet them! 

When: September 20th, 2007 from 1:00 to 3:30pm

Price: $25 for JETs and $30 for FOJs

Menu: TBA (family banquet style)

*To RSVP for either or both events, please email Margaret Chai at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it NO LATER than September 18th, 2008.  When RSVPing,  please indicate which event(s) you will be joining. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Volunteers Needed for JET Program College Recruiting

The JET Office is in DESPERATE need of individuals that will be willing to attend Study Abroad/Career Fairs at local colleges and universities.  The JET Office will take care of:

• Fair registration fees
• Your lunch
• Your parking permit (if available)
• Sending you all ‘official’ materials (e.g. brochures, handouts, etc)
• The TINEST of honorariums (if you do an entire event...just enough to pay for gas)

All that you will be responsible for is:

• Your transportation to/from the event
• Sharing your AWESOME stories about being on JET
• Showing your pictures
• A day of your time
• Your GENKI attitude

Below is a list of schools that the JET Office will need representation at.  If you are available one, two, or more of the events, please reply with ‘recruiting’ in your subject line, and include the following information in the body of your email at least 2 weeks before the event: 

• Your name
• The event date(s) and location(s)
• Time you can commit
• Daytime phone number
• Email address
• Physical mailing address (no P.O. boxes please-Fed Ex doesn’t like them much.)

The JET Office really appreciates all of you and all of the work you do in promoting the Program on your own.   

THANKS!! 

The JET Program office

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Volunteers Needed at the Japanese Food Festival

From Nancy Kikuchi

It's that time of year again for the Japanese Restaurant Association ("JRA") to hold its wildly popular Japanese Food Festival at the Kyoto Grand Hotel (previously known as the New Otani Hotel).  The JET  Alumni Association has provided volunteers for this event since its inception 8 years ago.  This year, we've been asked to send 50 volunteers.  Last year, the event was an All You Can Eat Affair with an admission fee of $50 per person (volunteers are free, of course).  JRA hopes to keep the price the same, but it depends on what is negotiated with the new hotel owners.

The details for volunteers are as follows:

Date and Time:  Saturday, October 25th, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Festival time is 11 to 3).  Due to logistics, I can only accept volunteers who can help the whole day, and not half days.

Place:  Kyoto Grand Hotel in Little Tokyo

Duties:  Selling Admission tickets, checking ID and putting wrist bands on people, stamping the back of people's hands, working the festival entrances, security, floaters, taking supplies to booths, serving food, heating up food, pouring drinks, and clean up.

Food for Us: In the morning after the 9:00 a.m. Orientation, JRA will hand out bento for everyone.  That is the plan for now.  Last year, JRA received a lot of donated food, so the volunteers got to eat the Festival food. Depending on the amount of food donated this year, we may / may not get to eat the festival food.  I'll let you know, but in any case, we won't go hungry.

Parking: Will be provided in Lot 7 (behind the Little Tokyo Koban). Entrance is off of Judge John Aiso Street between Temple and First Streets.  Parking passes will be e-mailed to volunteers after the RSVP date.

If you're interested in volunteering, please RSVP to me by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 15, to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  If you have a preference of assignments (food serving, admissions table, floater, drink booth..etc.), please let me know, although I can't guarantee you'll get it.  After the RSVP date, I'll send out your assignments and booth partners…etc.

Meishi Exchange is Coming Up in October!

The next JETAASC Professional Networking Event - Meishi Exchange - is coming up in October.  Details are being finalized, but please keep the second weekend of October open if you are looking for a job, in need of career advise, considering a career change, interested in professional networking, or just want to socialize with other JETAASC members and friends.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

2008-2009 JETAASC Elections Results

Amending the JETAASC Bylaws

A vote to approve the amendments to the current JETAASC Bylaws will be held at the October Second Weekend Social (SWS).  Details about the proposed amendments and the October SWS will be coming soon.  Please make sure you attend the October SWS if you would like to voice any concerns and to vote for the amendment.

JETAASC is working on becoming Nonprofit

CLAIR is urging all chapters of the JET Alumni Association to work on becoming a Nonprofit Organization.  With NPO status, many more opportunities and funding options (i.e. accept charitable donations and raise revenue) will open up for JETAASC. In the end, this means that we can have bigger and better events that require smaller monetary fees from our members.

The current and new officers would greatly appreciate any help and suggestions from members and friends (especially attorneys) on gaining NPO status.  Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any suggestions, ideas, or information.

Articles Needed for Sushi & Sake Magazine

Dear JET Alumni,

JETAASC has a great relationship with the monthly publication Sushi & Sake Magazine and we need your help! Each month we submit an article written by one of you for publication. Sushi & Sake's primary objective is self-described as "(to) introduce Japanese culture to the non-Japanese residents of Southern California with particular emphasis on cuisine, language, its business community, and geographic regions..." This is a great opportunity to share memories of your JET experience and give a broad readership a glimpse into the life of a JET participant.  

These articles can be about a particular experience, or any general memory you feel compelled to share -- it can be funny, heartwarming, anything that makes for a good story. I am looking for submissions for the coming months and hope that you'll help JETAASC keep up with our monthly ritual by sending me your story of 400 – 500 words. I will be responsible for editing submissions and will act as the liason with Sushi & Sake so that all you have to do is get your story to me.

I hope you will consider sharing one of your lasting impressions about your JET experience with Sushi & Sake’s readership. Please feel free to contact me with any questions!

Thank you,

Elizabeth White

JETAASC Media Coordinator

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Love Psychedelico Performing at the Troubadour

J-Pop/Rock Group, Love Psychedelico will be performing at the Troubadour on October 9th.  Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if anyone is interested in going together as a group.

October, 9 2008 at The Troubadour
9081 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90069
Cost : $5 adv

Full band rock show! Start time TBD so far... For advance tix: http://www.troubadour.com/eventdetail.php?id=962

Screening of Japanese Film "Love and Honor"

Eleven Arts, Inc. and FUNimation Films will release one of the greatest Samurai movies in history, “Love and Honor” directed by Yoji Yamada and staring Takuya Kimura, in theatres throughout the United States.

 
“Love and Honor” (2006) is the final episode of Yoji Yamada’s samurai trilogy: Oscar-nommed "The Twilight Samurai" (2002) and"The Hidden Blade" (2004).

JOB POSTINGS

Arubaito at the Consulate General if Japan in Los Angeles

Dear Alumni, 

Here are some questions for you: 

• Did you enjoy your time on the JET Program?
• Do you miss working in a ‘Japanese’ environment?
• Do you wish you had an opportunity to use your Japanese?
• Want to give back to the Program that sent you to Japan?
• Do you have some free time?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions above,

then here is the PERFECT opportunity for you! 

The JET Office at The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles is seeking a part time assistant to the JET Program Coordinator.  This individual should be the following: 

• JET Program alumni (preferably within the past 3 years)
• Flexible
• Able to "possibly" work some overtime/Saturday
• Has reliable transportation
• Experience with the Microsoft Office Suite
• Trustworthy, reliable, detail oriented, and a self starter
• VERY organized

Duties to include: 

• Data entry
• Copious quantities of copying
• Interview scheduling
• Answering questions regarding interviews
• Assisting with other Information and Culture Center projects, as needed

This full-time (temporary) position begins September 29 and ends November 10.  Unfortunately, the salary is non-negotiable. It does not include social security or parking/transportation. However, it IS a fairly fun and exciting job, and you can help out the Program as well. This is a great way to learn about the ‘inner workings’ of the Consulate and of the JET Program interviewing process.   

If you are interested, please e-mail your resume and cover letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and please type "arubaito" in the subject line. The deadline for resume submission is September 12th, with interviews commencing shortly thereafter.

Administrative Assistant for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment International Sales

Sony Pictures Entertainment is a leading creator and distributor of entertainment products, services and technology. Our global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home video acquisitions and distribution, operation of studio facilities, development of new entertainment technologies and distribution of filmed entertainment in over 67 countries. 

This position reports to the Vice President of Local Acquisitions and Production and will provide administrative support with faxes, copies, filing, answering phones, managing schedules/appointment calendar, establish and confirm meetings, coordinate conference calls, prepare expense reports, coordinate travel arrangements, routing incoming and outgoing mail, typing and composing letters, notices and memos, order office supplies. The administrative assistant will also provide support for the Director of Local Acquisitions and Production as needed.   

Responsibilities include maintaining DVD inventory library. Maintaining family release schedules, family title lists, sales  information, catalog review planner and competitive database.  Distribution of first-off DVDs to executives and marketing. Tracking all special packaging.  

Requirements: A minimum of 3 years previous administrative support experience.  Individual with proven organizational and time management skills who can handle multiple projects simultaneously. Attention to detail. Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. MUST BE BILINGUAL IN JAPANESE. Professional individual who can build strong relationships with all levels of employees. Excellent phone manner required. MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) proficiency required.  College degree preferred. 

As a global leader in creativity and innovation, Sony Pictures Entertainment draws upon the diverse backgrounds and perspectives or our workforce for continued success. Our respect for employee differences and focus on employee development encourages a progressive and rewarding work environment. In addition, SPE offers excellent benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401k, 10 paid holidays, plus much more.

To be considered for this position, you must meet the minimum qualifications as described above and forward your resume online at www.sonypicturesjobs.com (Job Requisition #under Human Resources.)