The Support Team in Saga are either appointed as part of their contract and regular job duties (CIR PA, Japanese PA), are selected by the Prefectural Board of Education (ALT PA), or otherwise make applications and are elected by the current Support Team (DRs).

Applications for District Representatives will open to all Saga JET Programme members in November-December, with the new team being announced at the Winter JET Conference in January. All applicants, whether returning or new, are subject to the same application process and consideration. The term for a District Representative is 1 year, from April to March.

There can be two DRs in each district (Sajo, Kito & Karamatsu.) In the event less applications are made for any district, surplus from other districts may be considered.

In the event more than two applications are received for a district, an election may be held during the Winter Conference. Elections may also be held in the event of a lack of applications from any given district.

Eligibility Guidelines

1) The same person can function as a District Representative for more than one term, but they must apply for each new term and will be treated equally to new candidates.

2) The candidate must be recontracting for the following year, and be on the program at least until the end of their term as District Representative.

3) The candidate must be capable of participating in DR meetings and fulfilling their duties alongside their main job.

4) The candidate commits to participate in DR activities and duties as described in the section below.

5) The candidate does not have to be English-speaking, or an ALT. Meetings are often led in English, but the DR team should be prepared to work multilingually.

6) The candidate must be willing to make themselves available to contact for JETs in their district (within a reasonable capacity).

7) The candidate must be capable of cooperating with the DR team (no openly hostile relationships) and commit to supporting all Saga JETs within the scope of their duties and location.

If a candidate, after selection, or while working as DR, is deemed to not be fulfilling their duties or is disrupting others (consistent no-shows, harassment, etc.) despite a warning, they can be removed from the position and made ineligible for future selection. The final decision is made by the PA Team based on available information, with a majority agreement of 2/3 PAs required. In case of suspension, the DR Team (under lead of PAs) will determine whether a replacement for the rest of the term is necessary.

District Representative Duties

1) Participating in monthly DR meetings in Saga city (occasional online attendance is possible, depending on the DR’s location).

2) Organizing and holding district orientation for new arrivals in their district (Spring and Summer intakes, plus any potential Alternate arrivals).

3) Offering support and guidance for JETs in their own district (within reasonable limits). Local information on household items, city trash rules, clinics, leisure recommendations, etc.

4) Helping to organize yearly Saga JET conferences and orientations, preparing materials and programs, as well as presenting and helping to run the events. This includes Prefectural Orientation (August), Skills Development Conference (Oct-Nov) and Winter JET Conference (January).

5) Within reasonable limits, making an effort to support community-building in their own district; keeping in touch with their JETs, organizing dinners or other activities, sharing information, etc.