In this section of my portfolio, I introduce some of my volunteer activities and other outside endeavors. I joined the Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT) in the late 1990s, and have served in various officer positions in Kobe JALT, including programs chair, publicity chair, and president. Currently, I am a member-at-large. I began participating in Teachers Helping Teachers (THT) workshops and seminars in 2006, including programs in Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines. In addition to various officer positions with THT since they became a Special Interest Group (SIG) of JALT in the late 2000s, I also started a program in the Kyrgyz Republic in 2009, and am currently the SIG Coordinator.
On a personal note, other pursuits that I enjoy away from work are homebrewing, surfing (longboarding), skiing, snowboarding and golf.