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1999-2000
Board of Directors and Professional Staff President's Message Corporate Membership 1999-2000 Year in Review The Japan-America Society of the State of Washington is a private, nonprofit, statewide organization founded in 1923. For more than 76 years, the Society has played a pivotal role in improving relationships between the United States and Japan and in helping the people of Japan and the U.S. better understand and appreciate one another and their respective cultures. The Society's American and Japanese corporate and individual members throughout Washington State support a diverse range of business and trade, public affairs, cultural, and educational projects to fulfill the Society's mission. The Japan-America Society of the State of Washington is a non-profit organization with IRS classification 501(c)3 (EIN 23-7282194). The Society is also registered as a Charitable Organization (JAA-M95-024) with the Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington. Mission Statement of the Society The mission of the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington is to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Japan and Washington state by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information. Goals of the Society The goals of the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington are the following: 1. Provide leadership to increase understanding between the peoples of Japan and the State of Washington 1999-2000 Board of Directors and Professional Staff President William A. Glassford, Bank of AmericaPresident-Elect Roger Williams,Mithun PartnersPast President Donald P. Lorentz, Port of SeattleVice Presidents Peter Kerwien, Individual MemberHonorary Vice Presidents The Honorable Gary Locke, Governor, State of WashingtonSecretary Christopher R. Helm, Davis Wright TremaineTreasurer Thomas Hartley, U.S. BankAt-Large Members Yasuo Kano, Sumitomo Corporation of America Terry F. Brady, United AirlinesClass of 2001 Hiroshi Arai, Arai InternationalClass of 2002 Robert C. Anderson, Individual Member Jeff Demetrescu, Executive Director Message from William A. Glassford President, Board of Directors 1999-2000 You can just tell! For those of you who have been associated with other non-profit organizations, you’ll know what I mean when I say that you develop a sixth sense about how they are operating. It is a sense that goes beyond evaluating an organization by the numbers. So, I am pleased to report that our Japan America Society is operating very well indeed. We are operating well by the numbers, by membership growth, by virtue of innovative ideas, by refreshing programming, and, more than anything, due to an invigorated and energized staff.  Let me highlight our staff, because they are the backbone of our organization and are special to all of us. Jeff Demetrescu has been our Executive Director since last May. Jeff came to us with a wealth of non-profit experience, but admittedly was not a Japan scholar. Well, he is now; he has a wonderful sense of Japan today. He is dedicated; he is a leader; he is innovative; he is "new economy;" and he is fun. He has made my job easy.
Jeff also has a motivated staff, which meshes very well. Our Program Coordinator, Jonathan Perkins, is also new this year, but has continually orchestrated exciting programs that are more in number, better attended than ever, and unsurpassed in quality. Our wonderful Japan Projects Coordinator, membership development officer, as well as overall "go to" person as she solves problems, is Akiko Kawai. Also new this year is our Office Administrator, Toshie Ando, who has mastered and converted our accounting system, among her many and varied duties. And finally, we are privileged to host Mayumi Hiroe, from Nagoya, as our very capable Japan in the Schools Intern this year.
 I hope that all members will give attention to the new programs and initiatives that have been developed by the Society during the past year. We now have several very active industry discussion and networking groups (which we call JASIGs), quarterly briefings on the current state of the Japanese economy, a "Living in the USA" Japanese-language program for our Japanese members and their families, and two new and dynamic business and trade series: Doing Business in Japan, highlighting the do's and don'ts for success in the Japanese marketplace, and @Japan.com, focusing on high technology, an industry that is destined to be the heart of our region. Later this month, we are also initiating a series called Wakabakai, especially aimed at young professionals within the Society. And, finally, I want to mention our e-commerce in Japan Trade Mission, headed for Tokyo in May. This is our first foray into trade missions, and it appears that this initial effort will be an overwhelming success.
As successful as the new initiatives have been, much of our bread and butter is generated by some longstanding efforts. Our August Golf Tournament was another success, as 130 golfers teed it up at Gold  Mountain for a day of fun and prizes. And, our December Holiday Gala attracted 590 persons who enjoyed a wonderful auction and holiday bash, and still went home on time. Both events were well planned and achieved budget goals. And while one’s sixth sense is nice, on-going organizations can’t escape giving attention to the bottom line. I am pleased to report that we achieved a surplus of $19,000 in 1999, up substantially from the recent past. The Executive Committee has voted to put over half of this amount in an Administrative Reserve as we are able to rebuild our Society’s rainy day fund.
In addition to the staff who deserve the lion’s share of any praise, I want to thank the Committee Chairs, the special event chairs, and the Executive Committee for their day-to-day devotion to the Society. Finally, I want to give special thanks to Don Lorentz, our immediate Past President, who continued his active involvement and was always available to lend Jeff and me his wise advice.
And, thanks to you, the membership, for giving a little more of your time to the Society and gaining a great deal more in return.
1999-2000 Corporate Membership Benefactor The Boeing Commercial Airplane GroupPatron Bank of AmericaSustaining Achilles USA, Inc.Regular Access Market ResearchAssociate American School of International TrainingIndividual Members: 336 1999-2000 Year in Review May 1999 May 3: Jeff Demetrescu assumes position of Executive Director May 6-19: Board President William A. Glassford, President-Elect Roger Williams, Past President Donald A. Lorentz, Board Treasurer Thomas Hartley, Board Directors Robert Anderson, Dennis Madsen, and John Savich, and Executive Director Jeff Demetrescu participate in Greater Seattle Business and Trade Delegation Mission to Japan, visiting Tokyo, Sendai, Nagoya, Kobe, and Osaka. June 1999 June 9: Corporate Breakfast with Former Vice-President and U.S. Ambassador Walter Mondale. July 1999 July 7: JAS presented prestigious Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Award for 1999. July 8: Panel program on Greater Seattle Business and Trade Mission to Japan. July 11: Family Picnic at Magnolia Park in Seattle. July 21: First "Opportunity Japan" Program: Focus on Kansai with Consul Todd Thurwachter (U.S. Consulate in Osaka). July 21: Thank-You Party for Japan in the Schools Program volunteers. August 1999 August 16: 39th Annual Japan-America Society Golf Tournament (130 golfers). Event Sponsor: United Airlines. August 27: New Corporate Benefits Unveiled: JASIGs, Business Briefings, and Business and Trade Delegations. September 1999 September 1: Online JAS Program Registration begins at www.us-japan.org/jassw/register.html. September 13: First "Doing Business in Japan" Program: REI, Costco, and Starbucks (115 attendees). September 24: First "@Japan.com" Program: Tim Clark, Japan Internet Report (102 attendees). October 1999 October 1: Luncheon for Ambassador Koji Watanabe, Keidanren Executive Advisor (187 attendees). October 12: First JAS Quarterly Business Briefing with Michael Birt. October 15: Japan in the Schools Program begins its 7th Year. November 1999 November 3: First High-Technology JASIG with Jim Ladd and B.J. Lackland, EnCompass Globalization. November 9: Business Program with Nagoya Chamber of Commerce & Industry, TDA, and CTED. November 10: First Trade JASIG with Consul Gary Konop (U.S. Consulate in Nagoya). November 12: Program with author John Nathan on Sony at University of Washington. November 19: First Financial Services JASIG with Warren Thompson and Brian Golob, Frank Russell Company. December 1999 December 13: 1999 Holiday Celebration Dinner and Auction (590 attendees/44 Table Sponsors). Event Sponsor: American Airlines. January 2000 January 12: Members Reception Sponsored by American Airlines. January 20: Quarterly Business Briefing with Patrick Bray, JETRO San Francisco. February 2000 February 2: First "Living in the USA" Program with Dr. Keith Dipboye, Virginia Mason Medical Center (Japanese-language program co-ponsored by Shunju Club). February 9: @Japan.com Program with Allen Miner, Former President, Oracle Japan, and Founder/President, SunBridge, Inc. (115 attendees). February 9: First JAS Business and Trade Delegation to Japan Announced. Focus on e-commerce. February 15: First Medical and Health Services JASIG with Michael Birt, President, New Japan Ventures, LLC. February 24: Doing Business in Japan Program: Boeing, Microsoft, and Weyerhaeuser with Rick Martin, President, Boeing Japan; Charles Stevens, Vice President, Microsoft; and Steve Ingram, Western Lumber Business, Weyerhaeuser. March 2000 March 2: High Technology JASIG with Leslie Helm, Technology Reporter, Los Angeles Times. March 9: Program with James Abegglen, Chairman, Asia Advisory Service K.K. March 14: Annual Meeting. Keynote Speaker: His Excellency Shunji Yanai, Ambassador of Japan to the United States. Introduction by the Honorable Gary Locke, Governor, State of Washington. Event Sponsor: Northwest Airlines. |
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