Officer's Report

Bryn Holmes
Nina Padden/David Dycus

Bryn Holmes (Officers' Report)
I cannot believe that JALT99 is almost upon us when CALLing Asia, this year's CALL conference, seems to have just finished. Like many of the CALL team, I spent the summer recovering from the spring and am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things as the weather begins to cool down and the work begins to heat up. We have many on-going projects our book of papers from CALLing Asia being presently edited by Paul Lewis. Thanks to all the presenters who submitted papers.

As coordinator I believe there are some areas that the SIG needs to build on in the coming months. One thing we need to work on is making sure our Web site provides our membership with important information in CALL. So if any of you have ideas for information that you think should be added to the site, such as conference recommendations or books that the other members would enjoy, please let us know. To check out the site visit http://www.jaltcall.org/ and see this newsletter in an on-line version.

Another project that we need to work on is CALL2000, the next CALL conference. Although next June seems along time away I hope that you will consider getting involved in the planning of the conference that is already taking place. Check out http://jaltcall.org/conferences/call2000/ and volunteer.

There are many reasons for getting involved in planning and organising conferences or other aspects of volunteer organisations. I was always told that such things were good for your resume and I got to put that theory to the test this year when I needed a new job and found one in my field that I am really enjoying. I am now working in the computer science department at

Trinity College, Dublin, helping set up a M.Sc. course in Information Technology in Education. While looking for work I set up a page of the links I used; if you are also thinking of a change, then why not check out http://brynholmes.com/employment/ or follow the link to the employment page from the CALL SIG's main Web page.

Keep in touch!

Officers' Report

Nina Padden/David Dycus

This issue marks the end of our one-year tenure as co-editors of C@lling Japan. The year has certainly gone quickly, and we wish we could continue for another, but the demands on our time and energies by life outside of JALT are simply too great. It is time, regrettably, to move on.

Putting together the last three issues of C@lling Japan has been a challenging but ultimately satisfying endeavor. However, it would have been only challenging if not for the constant encouragement of Paul Lewis and Bryn Holmes and the advice of past editors Elin Melchior and Kevin Ryan; we are grateful for their help and support. And to everyone else who stuffed an envelope, licked a stamp, or dealt with the paperwork or billing connected with an issue of CJ this year, we offer our heartfelt thanks. The job would have been impossible without you.

Since we cannot continue as editors, the CALL SIG will have to find a new editor or editors. Of course, we urge any interested person to come forward. In fact, we urge ALL interested parties to come forward because a team effort is what is really needed to put together a publication for the largest SIG in JALT. Getting an issue of CJ together and getting it out are no small tasks, and we now believe that dividing tasks among a team is the most reasonable way to do the work. You might not be ready to take on the responsibility of being chief editor, but why not edit a column for software reviews, announcements, or some other subject? Or consider taking care of advertizing. If you're interested in desktop publishing, take advantage of an opportunity to hone your layout skills. These are just a few examples of ways any of you could contribute to the production of C@lling Japan. No editor should have to do it alone. Please think hard about how you can contribute if the next editor wants to make CJ a team effort. It's an effort worth being a part of.

One thing you, as a CJ reader, need to know is that unsolicited submissions of material from members of the SIG have been practically non-existent this year. This is the main reason why editing CJ is often the challenge that it is. There is absolutely no good reason why it should be this way, especially considering the size and talent of our membership. For the publication to be successful, readers of CJ must become WRITERS for CJ, and in large numbers. We hope the expanded format of this issue offers the scope to attract submissions of all types from our readers. C@lling Japan simply cannot continue making something from nothing. You are one of the people who can change this.

Leaving as editors doesn't mean we are falling off the face of the earth. We will be more than happy to work with the incoming editor(s) to help smooth the transition and maintain the momentum we hope C@lling Japan is building with this issue. Whether you are reading this at JALT99 or after the conference, please get in touch with us about how you can get involved. Again, thanks to everyone who contributed to or supported CJ during the last year, and to our readers.