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Japan America Society (JAS) Initiative 2012

Japan America Society of Colorado Denver, CO
Three Year Plan to Achieve Sustainability (Year 2)
Project Director: Claudine Locascio
$38,720
During Year 1, the Japan America Society of Colorado has been able to establish contacts and engage new audiences throughout northern Colorado. Having a part-time Development Director on staff has been critical to achieving this success. The objectives of Year 2 are to maintain the Development Director position, bring in high quality programs from Japan to serve three areas of the state, and offer networking and appreciation opportunities for members and the community-at-large to ensure the value of JASC membership. 

Japan Society of Boston Boston, MA
Building Membership Building Community (Year 2)
Project Director: Peter M. Grilli
$56,622
In Year 2, Japan Society of Boston will continue to work on its capacity building, principally through large membership programs in the Boston community and the recruitment of new members. The 2013 Japanese Spring Festival will continue the momentum created in Year 1, helping JSB bring in new members and strengthen its ties to local corporations. JSB will also undergo changes in its leadership, and will hire part-time staff to assist with the transition.

Japan America Society of Southern California Los Angeles, California
Campaign for Sustainability (Year 1)
Project Director: Douglas G. Erber
$18,900
The Japan America Society of Southern California will plan, implement, and evaluate an empirically based JAS Membership campaign for Sustainability, with the objectives of increasing JAS SoCal’s corporate and individual membership by 50% over the course of two years and hiring a full-time membership coordinator to continue to enhance membership levels once the Campaign has ended.

Japan Society of Northern California
 San Francisco, CA
JSNC Organizational Strategic Planning Project (Year 1)
Project Director: Andrew Neuman 
$7,510
The Japan America Society of Northern California intends to embark on a three-year project consisting of annual offsite board meetings planned to be conducted in January 2013, 2014, and 2015. The objectives of the first meeting will be to increase board cohesiveness through workshops and small group breakout sessions, and determine a new board structure consisting of a smaller actively engaged board and a council of advisors. 

Japan America Society of Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, PA
Infrastructure Development (Year 1)
Project Director: Donna Lee Siple
$27,280
The Japan Society of Pennsylvania seeks to face the challenges of sustainability by 1) hosting a fundraiser training/seminar with the objective of developing a case statement template that will be presented to and can be used by all NAJAS members to develop a new revenue source, and 2) hire a part-time employee with a deep understanding of Japanese pop culture, in order to develop programming and membership for unreached segments of the Western PA community. 

Japan America Society of Central Ohio Columbus, OH 
Strategic Planning & Infrastructure Development (Year 1)
Project Director: Kate Eckhoff
$45,900
The goal of this capacity building project is to position the Japan America Society of Central Ohio as a leader in fostering mutual understanding between the U.S. and Japan, by working collaboratively with corporations and individuals. JASCO is located in the center of Japanese investment in the Midwestern United States, making the organization poised for growth by providing relevant programs and networking opportunities resulting in sustainable strategic outcomes. The project methodology is comprised of four interwoven parts: 1) strategic planning; 2) professional infrastructure; 3) communication, membership and development; and 4) networking. 

Japan America Society of the State of Washington Seattle, WA
Japan-America Society of the State of Washington Strategic Planning
Project Director: Dale Watanabe
$16,561
The overall project objective is to implement public forums on U.S.-Japan economic relations, in order to raise the Society’s profile, generate membership, introduce participants to others with international interests, and enhance program development by creating interest in the subject matter. Year 1 of the project will be a strategic planning exercise for board members. Steering committees of community leaders will be formed in each city, garnering input to make the forums locally relevant and providing introductions to individuals, business associations, and prospective corporate and individual members. In Years 2 and 3, large-scale public forums on Washington-Japan economic relations will take place, with direct collaboration of leaders from Japan- or internationally-focused organizations.