WATJ Board Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2004
At Aki’s house

Call to order at 4:20
Attendants; Kurt, Aki, Yoshi, Motoko and Courtney
Absent; Laurie
There were neither Agenda nor Minutes available. 

Treasurer’s Report Motoko
Membership count now is 74 as of March 3. 
Balance Checking Account $8143.36
Saving Account $2576.57
Motoko is working final statement on the conference. She said most of the receipts are in. Motoko also mentioned three people chose not to join WATJ even they paid the full $100 for the conference fee as a non-member. No reason was given. 
Major conference expenses were;
$715 to Kisaku (Obento)
$137.80 to Masa Lisa (Cake)
$275.44 to Kinkos (Packet)
$65 to Costco (Treat)
$250.00 for Honorarium

Conference Aki
We reviewed the prepared evaluations. We noted the following points:
* Selection of the keynote speaker fits everyone’s need. Kato sensei’s Japanese was very easy to understand for everybody. 
* We discussed the choice of the language in the presentations. Most of the presentations were conducted in Japanese. Handouts were all in English. Some people were concerned using only Japanese might intimidate some participants but overall people like the presentations in Japanese. One participants expressed her appreciation by saying, “This was a wonderful opportunity for non-native speaker.” 
* Starting time was too early for some people. Also schedule was tight. 
* The Obento was not great as last year’s, so we will consider changing the restaurant.

Board came to these conclusions from the review;
1) The Camp planning meeting will be on a different day in the future. We also consider the dates of conference and camp at the next meeting. 
2) We find a another restaurant for the lunch Obento.

Kurt mentioned we should know exact numbers of Japanese teachers in this area. Courtney will send to him the numbers and names of Japanese teacher that Hyogo has. 

Yoshi mentioned that Conference packet was very good. It was agreed that we can use is as a WATJ journals and that for the next conference we will plan to include other articles beyond the materials provided by the presenters.

Aki suggested that we organize small groups or mentoring pairs according to their location. They could meet once a month or so and help one another, especially by pairing up an experienced teacher with a new teacher. They could then make presentations at WATJ events. 

Camp Motoko
Everything is going very well. This year we have very good TAs. 

Speech contest Courtney
They chose Kato sensei as the Main judge. They are still working on raising the money. 
So far everything looks good.

Miscellaneous
Dinner with Kato sensei Yoshi
Yoshi suggested that board is having dinner with Kato sensei and discuss future relationships between Kato sensei and WATJ. Board believes that we should have regular contact with Kato sensei and ask his consultation and possible lecture at the meeting. 
Board decided that we schedule dinner at Kisaku restaurant for March 12 at 6 pm. Yoshi is going to make reservation. 
Yoshi also made a proposal that WATJ budget that dinner $20 per each participant. Motoko seconded it. Motion approved by all present. 

We have to look for new board members and also recruit a Camp director and conference chair. 

Meeting adjourned at 6:20.