This article represents the first instalment of the new JF column. With the broadening of the old column’s focus, it seemed a natural fit to invite the national JALT officer who liaisons between the local chapters, JALT’s national directors, and SIGs as the first highlighted guest.
I had been “friends” with JALT Gunma for years on social media, but I was too shy to go to an event. In January 2018, however, I finally got the nerve to attend. My initial anxiety was quickly extinguished by Tomoko Yoshida, a guest speaker who delivered an amazing presentation, and by the Gunma chapter members who made me feel right at home. I quickly became a regular member, and later that same year, I became their Membership Chair.
One year later, I became the Chapter President. I then began attending Executive Board Meetings (EBMs) and started getting to know the other chapter presidents. I enjoyed this because I was able to meet many friendly people and learn a lot about JALT. In January 2023, I stepped up to the national position of Chapter Representative Liaison (CRL). Until then, I had not paid much attention to JALT-wide activities, as I attended EBMs merely to support my own chapter.
The CRL has a wide variety of duties. They are a liaison between chapters and the Board of Directors (BoD). To do this, they need to communicate with chapter presidents, facilitate chapter president groups at the EBMs, write reports, attend BoD meetings, join other national committees, work in tandem with the SIG Representative Liaison, and make sure that the presidents are aware of upcoming deadlines. It sounds like a lot, but they also have a lot of support.
My first year as CRL has been a year of learning. Even as chapter president, I did not realize everything that goes into making an NPO not only function but also be successful. We see the directors sitting at the front of EBMs but that is not all there is. There are also people who help us research and publish, conference organizers, people who help us manage our money wisely, people who mentor us, and people who connect us to other groups and organizations. Collaboration between these groups is the key to JALT’s strength, and I have the pleasure of being in the middle of it. A large part of what I do is knowing what is available and being able to point chapter presidents in the right direction. I would not call myself a leader, but my role is to be a committed, curious, and flexible support instead.
I still have a lot to learn but I feel like my second year as CRL will involve more activity than the first. Now that many of us are using Zoom, I have access to JALT from Hokkaido to Okinawa, and I have been trying to visit all chapter meetings. I do this to show my support and appreciation for the hard work that they do to further local professional development. My desire is that each chapter president knows that someone understands the effort it takes to keep a chapter going, the creativity it takes to host meetings that cater to a variety of instructors, and the flexibility to keep up with the changing times.
I am thankful to be active in JALT with so many creative, kind, and devoted people. The chapter presidents have shared their practices with me and have taught me so much more than I could ever teach them. The BoD and SRL have taken me under their wings to mentor me and to ensure that I am successful. They are always available for assistance whenever I need help and to provide encouragement. I have received so much more from JALT than I thought was possible.
I am still thoroughly enjoying my time with JALT, from being a member, a chapter president, and a national officer. If you are looking for a place where you can learn and advance your career all while meeting wonderful people, please think about becoming a national JALT officer. We would love your help.