JALT Hokkaido | The Japanese Association of Language Teachers: Hokkaido Chapter

What is JALT?

The Japan Association for Language Teaching is a professional organization dedicated to the improvement of language learning and teaching in Japan, a vehicle for the exchange of new ideas and techniques, and a means of keeping abreast of new developments in a rapidly changing field. There are about 40 active JALT chapters and 18 SIGs located throughout Japan. JALT is the Japan affiliate of International TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) and a branch of IATEFL (International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language). If you join, you will receive:

Publications
JALT publishes The Language Teacher, a monthly magazine of articles and announcements on professional concerns, and the semi-annual JALT Journal. The Hokkaido Chapter also publishes the annual Proceedings as a special added benefit.

Attendance at Chapter Meetings
Entrance to regular Hokkaido Chapter meetings, in general held on the last Sunday of the month, are free of charge to members. The national Special Interest Groups (SIGs), also hold special events such as computer assisted language learning, testing and other themes at discounted fees for JALT members.

Annual JALT International Conference
The JALT International Conference on Language Teaching/Learning attracts more than 2,000 participants annually. The program consists of over 200 papers, workshops, colloquia and poster sessions, a huge publishers' exhibition, an employment center, and social events.

SIG Membership
Applied Linguistics, Bilingualism, College and University Educators, CALL, Crossing Cultures, Eikaiwa, Foreign Language Literacy, Gender Awareness, Global Issues in Language Education, Japanese as a Second Language, Jr./Sr. High School Teaching, Learner Development, Materials Writers, Other Language Educators, Pragmatics, Professionalism Administration and Leadership in Education, Teacher Education, Teaching Children, and Testing and Evaluation are SIGs, each of which JALT members can join at a discounted subscription fee of 1,500 yen.

Awards for Research Grants and Development
Awarded annually. Applications must be made to the JALT President by September. Awards are announced at the annual conference.

Who are the JALT Hokkaido officers?

JALT Hokkaido is always looking for teachers to join our team of dedicated volunteer officers. Do you think you have the right stuff? If so, don't hesitate -- send us an email today and tell us a little about yourself. In addition to the titles below, we are always willing to create a new position for the right person! President:

Wilma Luth
wilmaluth(AT)gmail.com

Programs: Peter Schinckel
schinckel(AT)gmail.com

Treasurer: Kurt Ackermann
kurt.ackermann(AT)gmail.com

Membership: Kate Sato
kate(AT)kitopia.org

Publicity: C.A. Edington
ca.edington(AT)gmail.com

Japanese Liaison: Hitoshi Eguchi
hitoshi.sp(AT)gmail.com

Webmaster: Andy Johnson
andrewclarkjohnson(AT)gmail.com

Conference Programs: Michael Mielke
michaelmielke(AT)gmail.com

TC Coordinator: Mary Virgil-Uchida
maryvirgiluchida(AT)mac.com

SIG Liaisons:

    * Mary Virgil-Uchida
      maryvirgiluchida(AT)mac.com
    * Don Hinkelman
      donhinkelman(AT)gmail.com

Officers at Large

Glen Hill: Blog Editor
hill(AT)obihiro.ac.jp

Geordie McGarty: Teaching Children
geordiemcgarty(AT)gmail.com

Will Kay, General
sapporowill(AT)gmail.com

Brick Zeff, General
beebeezee101(AT)gmail.com

Ayako Shiratori, General
s_aya319(AT)hotmail.com

How can I join JALT?

There are several ways to become a member. Check out our membership page for information.

The website has changed. Can I still see the previous website?

The website had a makeover in July of 2010. The previous website is no longer updated, but can still be found here.

JALT Hokkaido used to have a journal. Where is it?

The JALT Hokkaido Journal is still available on the previous website.

Where can I read the Constitution and Bylaws of the JALT Hokkaido chapter?

Constitution of The Hokkaido Chapter of The Japan Association for Language Teaching

I. Name and Purpose

1. The name of the association shall be the Hokkaido Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching, and in Japanese, Zenkoku Gogaku Kyouiku Gakkai Hokkaido Shibu, hereafter referred to as JALT Hokkaido.
2. JALT Hokkaido is a chapter of the nationwide "NPO The Japan Association for Language Teaching," hereafter referred to as JALT. Its purpose is to serve as the regional entity of JALT in Hokkaido, conducting activities for those interested in the improvement of language teaching and learning in Japan, and contributing to the development of activities in language teaching and learning, social education and international cooperation.
3. In the conduct of its activities, JALT Hokkaido shall comply with the policies and directives of the JALT National Executive Board, and act in accordance with the provisions of the national constitution and bylaws.

II. Membership

1. Membership is open to those interested in language teaching and learning.
2. A person who joins JALT may choose to be a member of JALT Hokkaido.
3. A person who does not join JALT, may choose to join JALT Hokkaido as a local member.
4. A person who does not join JALT or JALT Hokkaido may participate in any local event as a one-day trial member.

III. Chapter Meetings and the Annual General Meeting

1. JALT Hokkaido will periodically sponsor or endorse events related to language education. This may be done independently or in cooperation with JALT, Associate Members of JALT, other JALT groups or other organizations interested in language education.
2. JALT Hokkaido shall hold an Annual General Meeting, as part of a regular monthly meeting, prior to the JALT Conference EBM. At this meeting, the chapter officers will report on the state of the chapter's treasury, programs, membership, and publicity during the period since the last Annual General Meeting. Officers for the coming year will be elected at the AGM.
3. The Annual General Meeting will be preceded by adequate notification to the membership. Members of the chapter present at the Annual General Meeting will constitute a quorum.

IV. Officers and Administration

1. JALT Hokkaido's Executive Board will consist of a minimum of five officers, including a President, a Treasurer, a Program Chair, a Membership Chair and a Publicity Chair. If sufficient volunteers are available to serve, additional officer positions to the required five will be filled. More than one officer may share a specific position and the duties of that office.
2. At the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board meetings, five officers, including the President, will constitute a quorum, with each officer having one vote. When the physical presence of a quorum is impractical, mail or electronic communication may be used to obtain the approval of the officers for the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board to conduct business on behalf of JALT Hokkaido.
3. The JALT Hokkaido Executive Board will meet periodically to discuss the chapter's plans for chapter meetings and activities, and to discuss the implications of policies under consideration or already implemented by the JALT National Executive Board. An agenda will be prepared before the meeting, and minutes of the meeting will be provided to JALT Hokkaido Executive Board members. Alternatively electronic discussions using email shall be used when face to face meetings are not possible.
4. The president or a designated chapter representative is authorized to act on behalf of the organization in its dealings with the JALT National Executive Board.
5. The JALT Hokkaido Executive Board shall determine and announce the date for the Annual General Meeting. At the AGM, each of the five primary officers will present an oral report and provide a written report covering operations for their area of responsibility to be distributed to the members present. All written reports will also be posted to the chapter web site.
6. The JALT Hokkaido Executive Board will consider any suggestion or proposal submitted in writing by a JALT Hokkaido member, and reply in writing upon request. V. Amendments Amendments to this Constitution shall be proposed by a majority vote of the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board. Any such proposed amendments shall be distributed to the members before the Annual General Meeting. To become effective, constitutional amendments must be approved by two-thirds of the members voting at the Annual General Meeting.

Bylaws of The Hokkaido Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching

I. Membership and Dues

1. JALT Hokkaido National Membership dues shall be determined by JALT.
2. JALT Hokkaido Local Membership dues shall be determined by the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board.
3. JALT Hokkaido One-Day Membership dues shall be determined by the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board.
4. The chapter shall maintain a minimum number of national members in good standing in accordance with the requirements stated in the JALT Constitution and Bylaws.

II. Officer Duties and Committees

1. President: The President shall have general responsibility for coordinating the activities of the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board, directing and publicizing the affairs of the chapter, and representing its interests to the JALT National Executive Board. He/She shall preside at the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board meetings, and at the Annual General Meeting. With the approval of the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board, he/she may appoint committees as deemed necessary to carry out the work of the organization.
2. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall maintain all financial records, be responsible for collecting and disbursing all funds of JALT Hokkaido, accepting payment of membership dues, reimbursing individuals for JALT-related expenses, and submitting financial reports as directed by JALT policy, including the annual budget.
3. Program Chair: The Program Chair shall be responsible for supervising the arrangements for JALT Hokkaido chapter meetings, communication with speakers and recruitment of prospective speakers. He/She must also provide timely information to the Publicity Chair and fulfill all reporting requirements about meetings and presenters for the JALT Program Database.
4. Publicity Chair: The Publicity Chair shall be responsible for coordinating JALT Hokkaido's publicity and public relations in both JALT and non-JALT forums.
5. The Membership Chair shall be responsible for the maintenance of current and past member records, communicating with the JALT Central Office and working at the reception desk at meetings.
6. The position each officer holds shall be determined by the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board. In addition to the five required positions, officer positions may be instituted to identify other important responsibilities such as: Recording Secretary, Facilities Chair, Vice President, Web Communications Developer, Journal Editor, Group Liaison and Member-at-Large. In addition, any number of volunteer officers may work together as a team using titles to reflect such sharing of responsibilities such as Co-Publicity, etc.
7. Membership on committees appointed by the President is open to ordinary chapter members. The chair of each committee, however, must be a member of the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board.

III. Nominations, Elections, Vacancies, and Removals

1. Nominations for officers by members in good standing shall be solicited and accepted by the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board, either in writing prior to the Annual General Meeting or in person at the meeting.
2. Candidates must acknowledge acceptance of nomination, and provide relevant biographical information at the Annual General Meeting.
3. The Executive Board members shall be empowered to poll the voting members in the form of a primary chapter election in order to determine a slate of officers to be presented as a motion for approval by the Executive Board. There is no limit to the number of officer positions that can be created or shared. Voting members shall include JALT Members and Hokkaido Chapter Local Members.
4. If no officer positions are being contested among two or more candidates, the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board may present the full slate of officers to the membership at the Annual General Meeting for approval by the members present. If there are contested positions, elections will take place at the Annual General Meeting or prior to the AGM via the Internet, with the results subject to approval by the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board.
5. The terms of office shall be for one year. The terms of office shall be from the end of the Annual General Meeting up to and including the next year's Annual General Meeting. Reelection shall not be prohibited.
6. If for any reason an office becomes vacant, the vacancy shall be filled by Presidential appointment, subject to approval by the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board.
7. An officer who fails to perform his/her duties under the JALT Hokkaido Constitution and Bylaws, the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board policies, or the JALT National Executive Board policies may be removed from office by a three-fourths vote of the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board.

IV. Meetings

1. The chapter shall hold a minimum number of meetings each year in accordance with the requirements stated in the JALT Constitution and Bylaws.
2. In the event of convening an Annual General Meeting, written notice of date, place, purposes and agenda of the Annual General Meeting shall reach JALT Hokkaido members at least 5 days before the Annual General Meeting.

V. Financial Year

JALT Hokkaido's financial year shall begin on April 1st and end on March 31st.

VI. Language

For administrative purposes, the working languages of JALT Hokkaido shall be English and/or Japanese.

VII. Amendments

Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by a majority vote of the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board. Any such proposed amendments shall be distributed to the members before the Annual General Meeting. To become effective, proposed amendments must be approved by a simple majority of the members voting at the Annual General Meeting. Alternatively, these Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board.

VIII. Management of Meetings

The President shall recommend procedures for the management of the JALT Hokkaido Executive Board, the Chapter Meetings, and the Annual General Meeting.? In case of objections to such recommendations, the Executive Board members present shall discuss and agree upon rules and procedures to manage the meeting, consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws.

Approved by the Hokkaido EB on May 30, 2004

Approved by the JALT Executive Board on July 4, 2004

Where are JALT events held?

Most JALT Hokkaido events, including the annual language conference, are being held at Hokkai Gakuen University in Toyohira-ku, Sapporo. Occasionally events are held at H.I.S., another university campus or even a rental facility in downtown Sapporo is utilized. Venue details such as building and room are always included with each event announcement, so please check our web site carefully, before heading to the presentation.

Do I have to pre-register to attend events?

No. However, some special events such as the annual conference could offer discounted pre-registration for guests and details would be posted to the web site.

I am from out of town. Can you recommend any hotels to stay while in Sapporo?

Convenient Hotels Recommended by Previous Guests
Hotel Name	Min. Walk fm Station	Prices (yen)	Free Internet	Comments
Keio Plaza Hotel	JR Sapporo--5 min	8000+	--	Nice breakfast
Aspen Hotel	JR Sapporo--3 min	~10,000	Yes, ask	Nice breakfast, new
Chisun Sapporo Hotel	JR Sapporo--5min	7000+	--	Simple
Station Hotel	JR Sapporo--3 min	7000~10000	--	--
Hotel Sunroute	JR Sapporo--3 min	7000~10000	--	--
Crest Hotel	JR Sapporo--2 min	13,000+	--	--
Garden Palace Hotel	JR Sapporo--10 min	7000~10000	--	--
Hotel Washington 1&2	JR Sapporo--3 min	7000~10000	--	--
Edelhof Hotel,	JR Sapporo--6 min	10,000+	--	--
Monterrey Hotel	JR Sapporo--8 min	10,000+	--	Lovely French style
Century Royal Hotel	JR Sapporo--3 min	10,000+	--	--
JR Tower	JR Sapporo--1 min	15,000+	--	--
ANA Hotel Sapporo	JR Sapporo--7 min	13,000+	--	--
Century Royal Hotel	JR Sapporo--2 min	10,000+	--	Revolving restaurant
Toyoko Inn	JR Sapporo--5 min	~7000	Yes	Simple
Toyoko Inn	JR Sapporo--7 min	~7000	Yes	Simple
Arc City Hotel	JR Shin Sapporo--1 min	9000~12,000	Yes	In the station
Sheraton Hotel	JR Shin Sapporo--3 min	13,000~20,000	--	Best buffet
*One of the more reasonable hotels is the Toyoko Inn (about US$65/night, available with free internet if you bring your own laptop and cable). The Toyoko Inn has several locations near Sapporo JR Station and includes a very simple Japanese-style breakfast. For details, visit their main website.

Do members have any input regarding events and venue?

Yes! Please email us your suggestions.

Are child care facilities available?

Sorry, but you will need to make other arrangements.

Are events conducted in English or Japanese?

As JALT comprises mainly English teachers, English is the primary language used. However, we encourage Japanese/bilingual presentations as well.

Must I be a JALT member to present at JALT events?

Presenters need not be JALT members. In fact, JALT Hokkaido is always looking for quality presenters to insure that we offer 8 or 9 meetings during the year, in addition to our annual fall conference. The JALT Hokkaido chapter is very active with over 150 members. Our meetings are well attended and our members are interested in how research on second language learning can be applied to the classroom. We appreciate practicum and we are always looking for new ways to improve our teaching methods and help our students become better second language learners. Some general categories of interest are:

* pedagogy research and how it can be applied in the classroom
* syllabus and materials design
* classroom management
* CALL and other ways to use technology for ESL learning
* cross-cultural communications
* successful techniques you have used for improving listening and speaking skills