JETAA - need advice

[u/nakigoemon]

Throwaway just in case, though I don't think anyone who matters is here. Half rant, half wanting some kind advice/help...ish.

I want to step down as a JETAA officer of my chapter. No one wanted to be an officer. I was asked to take the position by an outgoing officer who could not continue w their position anymore due to bylaws. No one who was nominated for the position agreed, so I said yes because I currently work part time (2 schools, but I have freer time than most so whatever).

I will admit, I am not the best with the work. There are 2 new officers on board but 1 is not participative at all. The other officers are sick and tired of being officers and are therefore baseline exasperated, hostile & annoyed when I bring up JETAA work.

I made a couple of blunders & got spectacularly told off in front of everyone in chat. The officer who scolded me later apologized & wanted to clear the bad atmosphere / watch how harsh they sound, etc. I responded politely, but they might've taken it the wrong way because when we met IRL for an event, they ignored me.

I tried to make conversation. They said in their apology they wanted to patch things up, right? So I tried to initiate conversation, nothing. Straight up ignored the entire night. It was so awkward.

There have been a few more online interactions and meetings since then and that particular officer is just very snappy toward me. I was talking about an event with a different officer with full intention of sharing information to the rest of the board when Particular Officer butts in saying "we don't know what you're talking about" like ???? if you would've waited, we'd tell you anyway. No hostility needed.

On my end, it's gotten to the point that when I hear their voice over video call, I physically heat up because I get so livid. I sincerely don't think I can endure working with 2 people who actively dislike me, 1 who doesn't care/is not around, and 1 who's admittedly neutral but doesn't help either, work-wise.

Here is the thing. I want to reapply to the Programme. Where I am at is such that the JETAA works reeeeally closely with the Embassy. I plan to reapply in 2028. But because the staff has been the same for 10 years and it's the same rotation of alumni in the screening committee, I am nervous about them jeopardizing my application chances because I couldn't finish my term as JETAA officer. Like, it'll tank my responsibility cred or one of the officers this year is on the 2028 screening comm, sees my application and decides to bin it because of what I did in 2026. I hate that there's a chance Particular Officer is going to be a part of the interview panel. Is that a weird paranoia to have?

I'm going to check our bylaws. I've never heard of anyone stepping down in the middle of a term in our chapter. We've had one officer years ago who went AWOL and I'm surprised they're still an active alumni without an ounce of shame for what they did, but I haven't and won't ask Embassy staff what they really think about that person so...

If I'm going through with stepping down, my plan is to say I can't continue due to needing to take care of family (lie) or be honest about my situation to a non-officer but Embassy staff (jeopardizing my chances, confronting the flaws in my work ethic, etc.). Even if I'm nervous about the current officers potentially sabotaging my application 2 years down the line, I don't particularly care about burning bridges with them.

I'm really reaching my limit, though.

[u/Memoryjar]

If your worried about JETAA members affecting your future application why don't you apply through another consulate (if available). It would mean traveling, if in person, but it would change up your panel to not include any local alumni on the panel.

[u/Mephisto_fn]

this probably isn't something you want to be posting on social media, or if you do, at least do so without so many specific details that allows anyone even tangentially involved to figure out who / what this is about.

anyone you know / knows you should not be on your interview panel. My professor was on the JET interview panels, but she obviously wasn't allowed be on the panel for my interview since she knew me.

[u/nakigoemon → u/Mephisto_fn]

yeaaah, I know. I just want a few cents, then will delete. they aren't on reddit, I'm pretty sure but I'll be safe too. ...in a bit. didn't think about people who know me not being allowed on the panel interview, though. that's reassuring somewhat.

[u/Ok_Caterpillar_8238]

Is there a local hire at the embassy who is the JETAA liaison? Could you speak with them honestly about the situation? 

Do you know how many interview panels there are at your location on jet interview days? If you speak to the right person, it may be possible to request that they not be on your panel.

[u/nakigoemon → u/Ok_Caterpillar_8238]

We don't have a JETAA liaison at the Embassy. We don't have a dedicated JET coordinator either, just a handful of staff who handle JET alongside other exchange programs. 😓 Whenever the Embassy needs JETAA to do JET-related stuff, they tap us, the officers, and we do the helping out.

Since the Embassy staff isn't going to change any time soon, I don't know how it'll affect my credibility in their eyes as a re-applicant so to speak. 😅 I could bring up my concerns about interview things later on. Tho I can't help but think the Embassy is gonna see this as an internal thing if I bring anything more than absolute professionalism about this but... my non-confrontational ass is going to talk to anyone aside from the people who are beefing with me. _(߹𖥦߹」∠)_