Candidates for JETAA Officers 2025
Polls are open until March 31st, 2025. Cast your vote HERE!
President
Candidate: Rob Dulay
Goals for 2025 - 2026:
Rob's goals for 2025 - 2026 are to "spread more awareness of our existing alumni association in our part of the town (all of Oregon and majority of Idaho), create more networking opportunities through workshops and activities/events, and find ways for our vast international knowledge to be more a part of our local community."
Additional Info:
Serving as an officer would be meaningful for Rob because he would able to "continue as a leader for our association, will give me more opportunities/time to help build up our association's reputation and create more opportunities for fellow alums/kohai to know that there is plenty of support for when we return from the program and how we can still stay connected to the Japanese culture and help build more bridges for others to learn/experience what we all learned during our time overseas as well as help guide/shape the future JET participants (our kids, family, relatives, etc). No matter what age you are, what stage in life you are at, I want our alum association to be a part of your life and a great network to tap into at all times, no matter where you are."
Vice President
No applications! Email officers@jetaaportland.com if you want to fill this role.
Treasurer
Candidate 1: Ceres Lovelace
Goals for 2025 - 2026: "In the 2025-2026 term, I hope to contribute to a strong and vibrant JETAA community in Portland. Since moving to Portland from Southern California in 2022, I have had the pleasure of volunteering with various JETAA events. Through these experiences, I have come to appreciate how JETAA serves as a vital bridge between American and Japanese communities. As treasurer, I aim to ensure responsible financial planning to support engaging events, outreach programs, and networking opportunities for JET alumni. I would like to assist in brainstorming and coordinating activities that bring alumni together, such as cultural outings and professional networking events. Additionally, I hope to expand JETAA’s connections by collaborating with university students interested in Japan, as well as businesses that support Japanese culture. I want to take a more active role in JETAA by supporting its mission to foster intercultural exchange and community engagement."
Additional Info: "Serving as an officer means giving back to the life-changing experience I had in the JET Program. My five years as an ALT allowed me to build meaningful relationships with fellow ALTs, and I cherish the bonds we formed. I want to ensure that these connections not only endure but also grow, providing alumni with opportunities to reconnect, collaborate, and support one another. Beyond maintaining personal ties, I want to help create a network where alumni can continue engaging with Japan—whether through cultural programs, professional opportunities, or shared experiences. By serving in this role, I hope to help alumni stay involved, celebrate our shared history, and build new bridges between Japan and our local communities."
Candidate 2: Abbie Horrocks
Goals for 2025 - 2026: "To become more active in the JETAA community and help provide opportunities for the Portland chapter members to network and stay connected to each other and to the Japanese communities they lived in while on JET."
Additional Info: "It would be a great way to reconnect with the wonderful memories I had from being on the JET program. I am also excited to give back by supporting incoming JET participants as well as alumni. I believe in the mission of JET. It was such a meaningful time of my life and I want to continue to support such a life changing and amazing program."
Secretary
Candidate: Grant Drum
Goals for 2025 - 2026: "To continue to find my place back here in Oregon after my time in Japan, such as with working on my career, but also finding where I may it in helping with the Japan and US relationship, like with JETAA!"
Additional Info: "I'd be grateful for this chance to try and not only help out JETAA Portland but also show how passionate I am about continuing building my relationship with Japan from now on."