Welcome our 2020 Officers!

Congrats to our JETAA Portland officers for 2020. Please read their bios and platforms below for an introduction of all to come.

PRESIDENT Name: Rabia Shahab Prefecture: Tokushima-ken Years: 2014 – 2017

Hey JETAAPDX! I have been a member of the Alumni Association officially for two years. I was the Secretary my first year, and the J-kaiwa chair for the second. I have supported, participated, and helped plan many events for JETAA Portland. My favorite event we hold every year is Iron Chef. As president, I hope to host more gatherings like Iron Chef, to involve more members of the JETAA community, especially those with families. We have such a diverse group of JETAA members here in Portland, but there are so many I have not met yet. My goal this term is to see some new faces and to reconnect with the old ones.

VICE PRESIDENT Name: Michaela Duffey Prefecture: Sapporo-shi Years: 2017 – 2018

I've been part of JETAA for a little over a year now and have spent most of that time serving as the JETAA secretary. During that time, I was excited to lead the re-design of the JETAA website and to get involved with sharing about the JET Program through college information sessions and the yearly JET orientation. I've also loved attending J-kaiwa and getting to meet more fellow JETs and JETAA friends there. This year I'm looking to transition to vice president, and as such, I would love to help plan more informal events where people can get to know each other more and create a closer-knit community.

TREASURER Name: David Adamec Prefecture: Gunma-ken Years: 2009 - 2011

My experience with the JET program was a very special time for me, as it was for every returnee I've talked to. I'm running for a JETAA treasurer to improve my own personal connection with this program that means so much to me, as well as to help build that connection for others. As treasurer, I want to continue to support the chapter's programs to advance careers, improve Japanese skills, build community, and have fun together!

SECRETARY Name: Rosalie Fordham Prefecture: Nagasaki-ken Years: 2014 – 2017

Hello, everyone! This past year I served as Vice President on the JETAA Portland board, and it was my first year as an officer. The high points of my time with the board have been attending the 2019 JETAA National Conference and learning more about how the various alumni chapters are run, and collaborating with PNW JETAA and JETAA BC to host an inter-chapter ski trip! This year I am hoping to transition into the role of Secretary. As Secretary, I hope to implement even more systems for keeping the chapter organized so we can continue to grow and serve our members. I would also like to continue increasing JETAA Portland’s ties with other chapters, and expand our local network to include alumni with families and those outside of the immediate Portland area.