Recently, the topic of "emphasis on regional governship" (or decentralization) has been resurfacing. Through the process of reconfirming the path that we and our predecessors have taken, now is the time to take action to breathe something new into this town of Uwajima.

The Junior Chamber has worked with goals of creating a bright and affluent community by planning and materializing many businesses. These processes make opportunities to polish one self , and to create friendships amongst the people working together. I have been a participant with the Chamber for 11 years, and during this time I have had many precious experiences and attained very precious friendships. For the up coming year, I hope to promote activities so that the other members can feel the same way. Further, to tackle projects with a positive outlook, thinking, discussing, and to act with passion. I firmly believe these actions should steadily accumulate and result in the further brightening of the future of Uwajima, and of ourselves.

Ｓlogan

Now is a time to prosper and flourish with Uwajima (the community).

1. Promotions for building our community

For the past few years we have been involved in a variety of fields, including environmental concerns, volunteers, "Mottainai Movement" (a project campaign for saving energy, similar to the concept of Earth Day), etc. Through being involved in these fields for building a better community, I have realized instead of simply focusing on one project, it is also necessary to continue efforts during our daily lives as well. Upon carrying out many of these projects, I feel it is necessary to keep these things in mind during the planning process.

We have previously worked with other organizations concerning promotions for our community, however I feel these relationships have been relatively short lived. The reason for this may be because the organizations involved within each area are concerned with their own benefits. As a first step, we can discuss common themes to all ( for example, "matsuri", or a festival), connect regions through interchanges and communications of people, and reexamine a new concept of regional governship for "Community building". In the future, when there is a need for our community to come together for a certain cause, I hope that this interchange will be mature enough to serve a purpose. I would like to proceed so that developments will reflect a bright and active community for the people residing in Uwajima now, for those who will settle here, and for those who will visit our town in the future.

2. Reconfirmation of projects and organization management

The Uwajima Junior Chamber, Inc. has a long history of 42 years. Among the projects we have worked on up to now, we have a continued project which is in its 24th year, like the Presentation of "Kadomatsu" to the South Pole (which is a tradition during New Year's as a symbol of a Shintoist religious icon), and on the other hand, there are projects which have only lasted for a year. Topics often discussed are the successes of single-year projects of JC (Junior Chamber), and the necessity of long continuing projects, hence I would like to conduct current project operations, and the managing of the organization itself accordingly.

One major topic of my concern is the term "as done in previous years". We must get rid of easy assumptions that there should be no problem as long as we continue as we have done up to now. I hope to pursue this task by having clear intentions and confidence upon actions.

I believe the activities of JC reflects accordingly to the changing times. Therefore, being too concerned with continuing a project year after year results in the involvement of too many projects, and become too concerned with simply digesting projects as they go by, which tends to result in not gearing energy into new creative ideas. I wish to reexamine and reorganize which continuing projects are necessary, and which projects need to be started and worked on now.

3. Endeavors for the Festival of the Ehime Bloc Council

This Festival of the Ehime Bloc Council involves the deepening of communications amongst the members, a place for various kinds of presentations, a source for study, etc. In 1997, it has been determined that Uwajima manage this Festival of the Ehime Bloc Council. Upon carrying out this project, I am hoping that the members will hold a positive outlook not only concerning the Bloc Council, but also for the district, and the Japan Junior Chamber. Also, this Festival of the Ehime Bloc Council cannot be actualized with only a portion of the people involved. I feel this project will be successful only with the unification of the Uwajima Junior Chamber, Inc. I believe that our days will be very busy in the advancement of operations, conducting committee activities, and planning for the Festival. However, once we have tackled these projects, I am sure that there will be an increased self awareness amongst the members and enhancement of their abilities. I hope to pursue this Festival of the Ehime Bloc Council as a project to build virtues of our own character as well.

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アクセス: written by -konomi-