2010 NC Candidate - Jane Howard

From AFSWiki

Jane Howard

Hometown: Needham, MA

Reason for Running: Having volunteered for AFS for 36 years in many areas and levels, I believe I can help bring clarity to issues facing the National Council.

Three key issues: 1) Emphasizing volunteer development and improved communication are essential priorities for strengthening AFS-USA . 2) Training, thus empowering volunteers to be more effective, will result in higher quality programming, increased creativity, and greater student/family satisfaction. 3) Budgeting co-support funds to balance required orientations with desired special programming will improve services.

Education: MS Ed – University of Pennsylvania (student personnel services in higher education and counseling major); BS Ed- Tufts University (physical education major)

Returnee: China Educators’ Program-1997

Hosted: student from Australia (1979-80) and a Chinese visiting teacher (2000)

Sent: son Dan to Malaysia (summer 1984) and son Jim to Australia (summer 1986)

During my 36 years as an AFS volunteer:

• I was a founding member of my local AFS Chapter and the Mass Bay Team and have been an Orientation Leader (hosting and sending)
• Travel Rep.
• NY Gateway Arrivals Coordinator
• Team and Chapter Treasurer
• Trainer
• creator of AFS Training Modules for:

• Treasurers
• Chapter Consolidation
• “AFS 101” for new volunteers

• I have served as the Chair of the Massachusetts Scholarship Fund
• Chair of Massachusetts AFS Special Projects
• Congress Bundestag Coordinator for Mass Bay
• Visiting Teacher Coordinator and National Visiting Teacher Orientation Leader
• Chair of the National Council Finance Committee
• a member of two National Council work groups and much more.
  

Currently:

• I serve my Town as an elected Town Meeting Member
• Community Preservation Committee (Chair)
• Golf Club Advisory Committee (Chair)
• and Transportation Committee past-Chair
• I am a member of the Needham Historical Society Board of Directors
• Needham Exchange Club
• Needham Chapter AFS
• and a founding member of Needham Cares Inc. (a 501.c.3. organization that is focusing on Katrina relief in Mississippi.)
  

Professionally, I am the Director of International Student Affairs at Mount Ida College in Newton, MA and spend my days working with students from abroad as well as students applying to study abroad.