【2009 TOA Information】
This page contains information for TOAs (Tokyo Orientation Assistants) for the 2009 - 2010 Tokyo Orientation. It will be updated regularly when relevant information becomes available, so please check it often in the lead up to Orientation.
The dates for this year's orientations are as follows:
| Orientation A | Saturday, July 25 - Wednesday, July 29 |
| Orientation B | Saturday, August 1 - Wednesday, August 5 |
| Orientation C | Tuesday, August 18 - Friday, August 21 |
NOTE: Groups A & B TOAs must arrive at the Keio Plaza by 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25 and Saturday, August 1 respectively. Group C TOAs must arrive by 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18. For Groups A and B, we will meet in the Hana Room on the 4th Floor of the Main Tower.
ALL TOAs
All TOAs should read the following information about TOA duties.
1.2 Pictures are worth 1,000 words. See the flow of orientation with narrated photos
1.3 TOA Preparation Manual
(IMPORTANT - ALL TOAs SHOULD READ THIS) (22/06/09)
1.4 TOA T-Shirt Sizes (Sizes from 160 - XXXL available, confirm your size with us asap) 30/06/09
TOA LATEST UPDATE Thursday July 30, 2009↓
Please examine the information carefully so that you are aware of your assignments beforehand. You may also need to refer back to the TOA Preparation Manual. More details will be provided at the TOA Preparation Meeting on the first day that you arrive at Orientation.
2.2 Directions to the Keio Plaza Hotel
2.3 TOA Preparation Meeting Outline
2.4 Number of New JETs by Country
2.5 Number of New JETs by Prefecture
SCHEDULES
Regarding the schedules, please check your assigned times carefully and let us know if there are any errors or discrepancies. CLAIR and AJET Workshop presenters for Orientations A & B should also make a note of their workshop times on the respective schedule. However, unless there is a clash or a similar problem, we ask that you comply with the schedule as assigned.
Lists and Schedules (All lists and schedules are subject to change)
* Forthcoming
NOTE ABOUT HOTEL/AIRPORT/BUS LEADER SCHEDULE
・ All TOAs assigned to the hotel will stay at the Keio Plaza Hotel on Saturday night and greet ne
w JETs at the hotel on Sunday.
・ All TOAs assigned to the airport will stay at an airport hotel on Saturday night and greet new JETs at the airport on Sunday.
・ TOAs assigned to be “bus leaders” will escort a group of new JETs back to the Keio Plaza Hotel (by bus).
・ TOAs not assigned to a bus are considered “all day TOAs" and will stay at the airport until the last flight arrives, then return to the Keio Plaza with CLAIR staff.
* Airport TOAs should bring a small overnight bag with a few things that they will need for Saturday night/Sunday with them to the airport and leave all other luggage in the cloakroom at the Keio Plaza Hotel. As you will be on your feet all day, with many of you outside in the sun, we recommend that you wear sneakers and loose, comfortable clothing at the airport along with sunscreen/cap/sunglasses, etc. Also, do not forget to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.
All TOAs should check the Embassy Events list and the Prefectural Assembly list to confirm whether or not they have been assigned to an Embassy event or to Prefectural Assembly duties. A few TOAs have been assigned to prefectures other than their own.
If you have any questions about Tokyo Orientation, please email jettoa@gmail.com or call the JETLINE (03-5213-1729).
FAQ's
Q1: What should I wear to Orientation?
A1: For the majority of the time at Orientation, TOAs are required to dress in business attire. On the first day of Orientation (Saturday, day of the TOA Meeting) however, TOAs are free to dress in casual-wear, as you will be travelling to Tokyo in the morning and then moving around a lot making info-bags etc. Please wear your TOA t-shirt (which we will give to you at the meeting) on Sunday at the hotel/airport, and you may wear it during Information Desk and Hospitality Centre shifts throughout orientation (if it's still in wearable condition). However, you must dress in business attire for the rest of orientation. Airport TOAs should wear sturdy shoes and ladies should avoid wearing skirts as you will be moving around a lot and assisting JETs with their luggage.
Q2: How will my transportation and accommodation be taken care of?
A2: For the actual orientation, all accommodation arrangements for TOAs are made by CLAIR, but we ask that you book your own travel to and from Tokyo. CLAIR will provide you with a cash re-imbursement at registration. CLAIR regulations stipulate that transportation be calculated on the basis of the most economical return travel from the station nearest to you, as entered on your original application form. This includes shinkansen or airplane rates depending on where you are, so use that as a guide when you plan your travel budget. For TOAs who are officially asked to escort new JETs back to their prefecture, please be sure to confirm with your prefectural office what arrangements you need to put in place before you make your travel plans. CLAIR will also be obtaining confirmation from each prefecture and will bear this in mind when calculating travel expenses.
Q3: I live far from Tokyo, will CLAIR be willing to provide an extra night's accomodation for the night before Orientation starts?
A3: Based on CLAIR's official regulations, we cannot provide an extra night's accommodation if there is transportation available that will allow you to arrive at Shinjuku by 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. If this applies in your case, unfortunately, we cannot pay for the Friday night. However, feel free to make alternative arrangements on your own if you wish.
Q4: What time can I leave the Keio Plaza on the last day of Orientation?
A4: TOAs that are not travelling back to their respective prefectures with the new JETs are asked to be present at the departure point to see their prefectures off. You are free to leave the Keio Plaza once you have seen your prefecture off. All groups should have departed by noon.
Previous updates↓
We ask that all TOAs submit a photo to CLAIR for the TOA orientation handbook and the TOA/staff intro posters displayed at Orientation.
Please consider the following when submitting your photo:
1) Limit your submissions to head and shoulder views with just you in the picture.
2) The photo will be adjusted to different sizes and photocopied in black and white, so make sure it is a clear and easily recognisable photo.
3) Since it is for professional use, keep the attire and style appropriate (doesn't have to be a necktie and suit, just decent enough).
4) Again, because of 2), try to avoid photos with obstructive or suggestive gestures (hanging tongues, peace signs in front of your face, caps covering half your face, masks, etc).
5) This is a photo to introduce you, so avoid pictures with facial contortions as well.
6) And, of course, no (half) naked photos.
The deadline for submitting the photo to jettoa@gmail.com is FRIDAY, 3 JULY, but please send it to us before then if you can.
PRESENTER TOAs
Presenter TOAs must attend the mandatory TOA Presenters' Meeting to be held on Monday and Tuesday, June 15 - 16 at the CLAIR office in Tokyo.
Please arrive at CLAIR at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, June 15 for registration. The meeting will start promptly at 1:30 p.m. and end at 6:30 p.m. On Tuesday, June 16, the meeting will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon.
TOAs attending the Presenters' Meeting are asked to book their own travel to and from Tokyo and to make their own hotel reservations. CLAIR will provide you with a cash re-imbursement at registration. You will be provided with a one-night allowance for accommodation in the amount of 10,900 yen, so plan your budget accordingly. In terms of travel, CLAIR regulations stipulate that transportation be calculated on the basis of the most economical return travel from the station on your original application form. This includes shinkansen or airplane rates depending on where you are, so use that as a guide when you make your travel plans.
Please dress in business attire for the TOA Presenters' Meeting.
Please click on links below for more information:
2.1 TOA PRESENTERS: TOA Planning Meeting Letter
2.2 TOA PRESENTERS: Printable Directions to the TOA Planning Meeting
2.3 TOA Presentation Skills (Presentation by Steve Woerner at Planning Meeting)
NEW 30/06/09
If you have any questions about Tokyo Orientation, please email jettoa@gmail.com or call the JETLINE (03-5213-1729).
