Issue:
Dear members,
I write shortly after our Extraordinary General Membership Meeting at the end of January, when we welcomed new board member Khaldon Azhari and passed changes to our dues structure to further stabilize our financial foundations. I thank you for your participation in the election, and for actually attending the meeting.
We will have a regular GMM in March, when we will vote on the next year’s budget proposal from our Finance Committee. I hope to see you then, if not sooner.
With Japan’s upcoming election in mind we are hosting a number of political speakers, who already included the co-head of Nippon Ishin. On February 4, two analysts will come to the club to look at the strategy behind the snap vote. There have been three elections in Japan in less than 15 months, generating a full slate of PAC opportunities, so stay tuned for further updates.
We continue to work on our fundraising efforts, and always welcome your ideas, while making progress in attracting new FCCJ members, also key to our club’s future.
The 80th anniversary party in late November was a cornerstone event that underscored how diverse and fun this organization is. We shared photographs and a video with attendees, and aim to have many more such evenings.
I encourage you to make time for the following events: a book break by author and New York Times correspondent Ken Belson on February 12; a performance by the Tokyo Sinfonia on February 13; and a sneak preview screening of Kaneko Fumiko on February 16.
Finally, it is still months away, but in June we will hold our own elections for the club's next board. Please do consider running, or joining a committee once the new team is selected. The FCCJ benefits from new ideas and enthusiasm, so please put your talents to work on behalf of the club. We need you.
Dan Sloan
FCCJ President
