Chapter in Your Life: Gifu JALT: A Chapter in the Making

Writer(s): 
Paul Doyon, Asahi University

Gifu JALT is in the germination phase of becoming a budding chapter.
The lifeless seed so long dormant under the cold, hard Gifu winter soil
has at last begun to stir, to grow, and to sprout in the warm spring sun.

Some of you might ask, "Where is Gifu?" Gifu Prefecture is
located in the central part of Honshu and is surrounded by Aichi, Shiga,
Fukui, Ishikawa, Toyama, and Nagano prefectures. While the majority of Gifu
Prefecture is mountainous, Gifu City, its capital, lies in the flat southern
portion of the prefecture and is its largest city with a population of approximately
400,000. The beautiful Nagara River straddles Gifu City, and is famous for
ukai or cormorant fishing. The city sits in a basin surrounded on three
sides by a breath-taking view of jagged mountains. While winters are relatively
mild, summers are some of the hottest in Japan. To the south lies the city
of Nagoya, only a twenty minute ride on a JR express train from Gifu Station.

Gifu Prefecture has quite a number of universities and colleges (14)
with most of them being in the vicinity of Gifu City (12). Among these are
Gifu University, Asahi University, and Shotoku Gakuen University, to name
a few. Besides this, Gifu (like many other cities in Japan) also has more
than its share of language schools. While the majority of active JALT members
in Gifu are from the university circle, there is strong potential for recruiting
future JALT members from language schools, high schools, junior high schools,
and jukus, as well as the JET program.

At present, we, the JALT members in Gifu, become members of the Nagoya
Chapter by default, since Nagoya is geographically the closest chapter.
Now, Nagoya is a wonderful city and the Nagoya Chapter is also a wonderful
chapter. However, Gifu City is located in Gifu Prefecture and Nagoya is
located in Aichi Prefecture. Making it to Nagoya chapter meetings is quite
demanding for many of the Gifu City members, and even more so, for those
living outside Gifu City.

I have been living in Japan now for over ten years. After my first four
years of language teaching in Japan, I decided to pursue a Master of Arts
in Teaching (MAT) degree in TESOL from the School for International Training
(SIT) and at around the same time I also became a full-fledged member of
JALT. For someone who was approaching burnout from long hours of arduous
language teaching, starting a graduate program and joining JALT were like
two jolts of fresh Gifu mountain air. JALT opened my eyes to the sharing
of ideas and expanded my knowledge of teaching and learning. It also uncovered
a multitude of new avenues for me to explore in the classroom. I became
thrilled again about teaching. In effect, I was jolted into action by JALT.

Amazingly, no one had ever attempted to start a Gifu JALT chapter before,
and so, around two years ago I decided to try. After a number of personal
setbacks, it may finally be coming together. Along with other like-minded
teachers in Gifu, I saw not only great potential for JALT to improve the
quality of language teaching in the greater Gifu area, but also an opportunity
for us educators in Gifu to form a more closely knit community. With the
encouragement of JALT President Gene van Troyer, who also lives in Gifu,
I decided to send out a mailing to all members asking them for their signatures
to support its formation. Since then, I have also telephoned and e-mailed
members soliciting their approval. Moreover, Bill Lee (editor for the TLT
and a professor at Gifu University) has helped by encouraging people to
respond. As I write this, Gifu JALT has almost obtained the 25 signatures
needed to become a forming chapter. Last year we successfully held two unofficial
JALT Chapter meetings. The first was to discuss the formation of Gifu JALT;
at the second, Bill Lee gave a highly informative presentation on writing
for publication. Both meetings were well attended. At present, we have just
secured a permanent site at Asahi University to hold our meetings. Special
thanks go to Ali Haider of Asahi University for achieving this crucial step.
Next in line is the procurement of a few more signatures, then the selection
of officers, and finally the writing of a constitution. Following that,
only our status as a chapter requires approval at JALT's next Executive
Board (Ex-Bo) meeting.

While Gifu is only in the germination phase of becoming a chapter, in
order for it to survive, it will have to put down strong roots deep into
the soil. Dedicated teachers will have not only to cultivate strong professional
connections, but also strong friendships with each other. JALT is not just
what one gets out of it, but also what one puts into it.

At present, we are actively recruiting members and if you know of anyone
interested in joining a great group of enthusiastic, warm, and determined
teachers, please contact me, Paul Doyon, by phone, fax, or e-mail.

Wish us luck!

Paul Doyon; Asahi University; t/f: 058-326-2607; <doyon@alice.asahi-u.ac.jp>