Internships Details

About the Organization

Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) is a nonprofit mental health services organization that has been serving the international community since 1973. The Life Line’s highly trained volunteer counselors provide free, anonymous and confidential telephone counseling and general resource information 365 days a year. Face-to-face counseling by professional, qualified psychotherapists is available for individuals, families and groups on a variety of topics.

TELL’s services are supported by both financial and non-financial contributions from individuals, service organizations, community groups and corporations. TELL also holds a variety of fundraising events throughout the year, including the Charity Walk/Runathon in the spring and the Connoisseurs’ Auction in the fall. TELL's main activities include information and counseling services, professional workshops, outreach programs and fundraising events.

Full-time staff: 3 people
Part-time staff: 11
Volunteer staff: 0
Volunteers 100+
Interns: 0
Office hours: 10am-6pm, Monday through Friday

All staff are either native English speakers or are fluent.

Job Description

The intern should play a major role in supporting and organizing TELL's biggest fundraising events, the TELL Charity Walk & Runathon in May and the Annual TELL Connoisseurs’ Auction, which takes place in November. Typically, the events are organized by a group of English-speaking volunteers who form a committee and sub committees and contribute significant time and resources to making the events more attractive and exciting each year. The intern will need to liaise and work closely with TELL staff and the committee, coordinate and provide administrative support before and after the event, and represent the business office during planning and execution.

Intern Learning Opportunities

• How to Coordinate a Project
• How to Coordinate an Event
• Gain a better understanding of the issues facing diverse people in Japan.

Major tasks include:

• Contributing to the success of the event by managing tasks, schedules and systems
• Donation Management
• Public Relations
• Liaising with other volunteers, venue staff and vendors
• Assisting with finalizing the event program and sponsor recognition
• Providing support on the day of the event
• Working with staff to conduct and compile surveys
• Grant proposal preparation

Interns will be supervised by staff and chair of the committee working on events and outreach.

TELL has 2 –4 major events throughout the year and interns would help with the planning, coordinate and executive of such events. Typically, TELL’s events are organized by a group of English-speaking volunteers who form a committee and contribute significant time and resources to making the event more attractive and exciting each year.

Fall - Wine auction

We would like the intern to play a major role in supporting and organizing our biggest fundraising event, the annual Connoisseurs’ Auction, which takes place in November.

Spring - Art Auction

The Spring Art Auction will feature a one-month art exhibit followed by a formal funding raising event in the form of an art auction. Interns would be asked to help during all phases from planning, to inventory, to donor contact.

Early May - Annual Walk/Run-a-thon

Every year in spring TELL holds a fundraising event joined by over 700 people who either walk or run the 5 km or 10 km circuit around the perimeter of the Imperial Palace.

Because business office resources (particularly staff time) are limited, we see the intern serving as a point person in the office for the events committee, as well as for public relations activities related to events. The interns will need to work closely with the staff and committee, to coordinate and provide administrative support before and after events, and to represent the business office during planning and execution.

Office assistance throughout the year is necessary as well as outreach support for the development of new members and donors.

Tasks may include:

• Organizing donation solicitation letters for corporations, organizations, individuals, embassies, etc.

• Following up with potential donations and members.

• Updating the member and donor/donation database

• Updating the ticket-sales database

• Updating and overseeing inventory management

• Assisting with finalizing event program

• Providing support on the day of events

• Assisting with arrangements for delivery items

• Organizing thank-you letters to donors.

• Creating materials for advertising, publicity and outreach.

• Assisting with PR and outreach to the general public.

# of Positions per term

1 Student per Period; Maximum 3 students per year

Start Dates

Spring or Fall (1 or 2 term internships)

Duration of Internship

January to April (1 term) or June (2 terms) or July to December (1 term) or September to December (2 terms)

Qualifications

Academic Background

International Studies, Japanese language, sociology, Asia studies, Intercultural/multicultural studies.

Skills/Experience

Preferred:

Good computer skills - Word, Excel, Outlook, Access; familiarity with Adobe Illustrator and/or Photoshop desirable
Excellent English or Japanese writing skills
Detail-oriented
Experience running events or PR
Experience and/or strong interest in community issues, intercultural communication, and research.
Mature, able to work independently
Interest in fundraising events
Interest in Japanese community development

• Interns must sign a confidentiality agreement

Language Ability

English fluency, conversational Japanese OR Japanese fluency with conversational English.

Other Requirements

Interns will be asked to join events that often take place on weekends. Interns may join events and training sessions to improve both their Japanese language ability and understanding of issues

Internship Costs

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.

IE₃ Program Fee

The program fee* for the first term of any internship is $2950 - $3150. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

*The program fee noted above reflects the anticipated fee increase that will go into effect for the Fall 2010 term and will apply to all terms thereafter.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
Host Site Fees	$700*
International Travel	Approximately $1000
Visa Fees
Recommended Immunizations	$0

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$750
Food	$300
Local Transportation	$90
Recreation	$100
Personal Expenses	$100

Compensation

None

Additional Expense Information

*this one time additional fee is to offset the additional costs of arranging the internship, and providing orientation support in Japan, The regional director for IE₃ will discuss these fees with you before beginning the placement process so you can estimate the costs.

Additional Information