Committee Descriptions

OCG is a parent-run school and requires all families to participate in one of our committees. The Parents Association and Committees helps to govern and administer all aspects of the school, from events to budgets to curriculum matters. Families that do not fulfill committee requirements will be assessed a $500 Committee Opt-Out Fee per year ($250 for single-parent families).

Families will request to volunteer for committees at the time that they register for classes. Because each committee has a capacity limit, families should request more than one committee. Note that some committees may have a language requirement, and many have specific date requirements.

Additional Volunteer Opportunities

OCG sometimes has opportunities to participate in fundraising events like Fireworks Sales booths in Huntington Beach. These special events help defray overhead costs for the school, but are not guaranteed every year. Families that volunteer to work at these fundraisers may have their School Management Fees reduced.

Cooking (16 positions)

We are separating the chefs from the Events committee to create our first ever Cooking Committee. This committee will be responsible for preparing food for Natsumatsuri and the mochi at Mochitsuki. During other months, members will prepare and sell monthly lunches (spam musubi, curry, sushi rolls, onigiri, etc) as a fundraiser. All members must be available for Natsumatsuri on August 24, 2024 and Mochitsuki on January 18, 2025. Members will then be on rotation for the monthly lunch fundraisers.

Curriculum Support (8 positions)

This group will work with the teachers in gathering curriculum-related materials for classroom use. Another function will include running the school’s lending library. Committee members must be able to read and speak Japanese. Hours will be from 9:00am to 12:45pm on a rotational basis.

Events (15 positions)

Members will assist with executing the 11 cultural events throughout the school year. Work includes set-up, manning booths and break down (cooking has been separated to a different committee). There are three events that are mandatory for all members. They are all day events and require as many volunteers as possible. You are then required to sign up for two of the other non-mandatory events for participation in a total of 5 events.

August 24, 2024 – Natsumatsuri (Summer Festival) – Mandatory for all members to assist
October 26, 2024 – Harvest Festival
December 21, 2024 – Gakushu Happyokai (Winter Performances)
January 18, 2025 – Mochitsuki – Mandatory for all members to assist
February 1, 2025 – Setsubun/Mamemaki
March 1, 2025 – Hinamatsuri
March 22, 2025 – Speech Taikai (Contest)
April 26, 2025 – Undokai (Sports Festival) – Mandatory for all members to assist
May 3, 2025 – Kodomo No Hi (Children’s Day)
May 17, 2025 – General Meeting
June 7, 2025 – Graduation and Year End Party

Media & Sound (3 positions)

Responsible for operating sound and media for events in the MPR and the monthly morning assembly. Members will be on rotation for the morning assembly held monthly on the first Saturday of each month that runs from 9:15-9:45am. Members must also be available for all of the following events in the MPR:

August 10, 2024 – Opening Ceremony
December 14, 2024 – Gakushu Happyokai Rehearsal
December 21, 2024 – Gakushu Happyokai (Class Performances)
March 15, 2025 – Speech Taikai Rehearsal
March 22, 2025 – Speech Taikai (Contest)
June 7, 2025 – Graduation Ceremony

Photography (4 positions)

Responsible for taking photos of school events, classroom photos and providing photos to committees for social media posts and marketing materials. Photographers will be expected to edit photos as necessary. Members will be on a rotational basis and must be available for at least half of the events listed below:

August 24, 2024 – Natsumatsuri (Summer Festival)
October 26, 2024 – Harvest Festival
December 21, 2024 – Gakushu Happyokai (Winter Performances)
January 18, 2025 – Mochitsuki
February 1, 2025 – Setsubun/Mamemaki
February 8, 2025 – Class Photos
March 1, 2025 – Hinamatsuri
March 8, 2025 – Class Photo Make-ups
March 22, 2025 – Speech Taikai (Contest)
April 26, 2025 – Undokai (Sports Festival)
May 3, 2025 – Kodomo No Hi (Children’s Day)
May 31, 2025 – General Meeting
June 7, 2025 – Graduation and Year End Party

Registration (10 positions)

Responsible for registering new students. They will need to be well-versed in areas of the school (academics and administrative) to be able to answer questions from potential new families. They will be responsible for new student paperwork and submitting it to the PA Treasurers and Head Instructor. Members will need to be on campus during Open House and when there is a scheduled appointment. Bi-lingual members (English and Japanese) are preferred but not required. Registration committee members will help answer questions throughout the school year about OCG in person and email, and assist with communicating school policies to current and prospective families.

Open House is scheduled for:

August 17, 2024
September 14, 2024
February 1, 2025
May 3, 2025

Room Parent (16 positions)

Responsible for representing the class as the official room parent and assist other classes on a rotational basis. Duties include:

Attending the monthly PA Meetings which will be on the second Saturday of each month from 11:30-12:30pm. At the meetings, you can address any comments or questions you may have received from your classroom parents.
Arrange teachers’ and TAs’ gifts on behalf of the parents at the end of each semester.
Be on a rotational schedule to fill in as a substitute if a Teacher’s Assistance (from any class) is absent or a class needs extra support for that day. Members are expected to serve at least twice a semester and will be able to sign-up for the Saturdays you want to serve. Please note your responsibility will mostly be watching over the students and helping with basic administrative assistance.

Safety (20 positions)

Responsible for overseeing school security while classes are in session. The committee will also be responsible for setting up pre-opening preparations and safety protocols as well as school closing. During school sessions, members will be patrolling and monitoring various areas of the school. Members will also be asked to assist with any in-class emergencies. Members will serve on a rotational basis and hours will be from 8:45am – 12:45pm. First-aid and CPR experience is a plus but not necessary.

Social Media & Newsletter (5 positions)

Responsible for drafting and posting school related messages on OCG’s social media and to create a monthly newsletter for the community.

Translation (5 positions)

This committee will be responsible for translating documentation, forms and emails by the PA Officers as well as other committees when necessary. From English to Japanese and vice versa. Being able to read and write in Japanese/English is a requirement for this committee. Most of the duties will be done via email.

Website & Systems (4 positions)

Responsible for maintaining our website, internal networks (e.g. Google workspace), branding and creating marketing materials as needed. Website, IT, design and/or marketing experience preferred.