$1000 Bonsai Scholarship

bonsaibp

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California Bonsai Society is proud to announce The Ben Oki Bonsai Scholarship Fund
The California Bonsai Society (CBS) has set up a scholarship fund to honor Ben Oki - a man who devoted most of his life to enjoying and sharing bonsai. Ben was happiest when he was sharing his knowledge or working on a tree. To honor that sharing spirit Ben had we will be making two $1000.00 grants available to anyone in the bonsai community to be used to attend classes, workshops , study with a pro or other bonsai related educational activity. The winners will also need to do something to give back to the bonsai community- such as a club demo or on-line video showing what you learned, or some other method of giving back to the community. To apply, the applicant should send an email to

CaliforniaBonsaiSociety123@earthlink.net
In that email they should explain what they intend to do with the money to improve their bonsai skills and what they intend to and will commit to doing to give back to the bonsai community. Be creative.
Applicants who receive scholarships agree that in return for these funds within 15 days of completing class etc. they will provide CBS photos and a short write up of what they did with the funds to improve their bonsai skills that will be published on our website and in our newsletter. They will also have to come up with and complete a way of giving back to the community and commit to doing this.
The application period will be from May 1st through May 30th annually with the scholarships awarded on June 15th. Applications will be accepted from anyone in the bonsai community that can deposit a check from a US bank. Awarding of the scholarships will be by decision of a committee of California Bonsai Society Board members after going through all applicants. All committee decisions are final.
Everyone in the bonsai community is encouraged to apply for this chance to expand your own bonsai knowledge and to help contribute to the bonsai community.
Anyone interested in contributing to the scholarship fund as a way to honor Ben and to help promote bonsai is more than welcome to contact Robert Pressler -President of The California Bonsai Society at the above email. We are a privately funded 501c3 corporation so any contributions may be tax deductible.
 

sorce

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Is it me or is this a 75% increase in funds?

You go!

Sorce
 

bonsaibp

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Yup we had a very successful fund raising campaign and decided to make it something that could really make a difference- and hopefully create more opportunity for growth in the community.
 

bonsaibp

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I'm asking all to share this with their local clubs, groups etc.. This is the real deal- we've been giving out scholarships for 3 years now.
 

sorce

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What has participation been like in the past?

As far as letters received afterward.

I think this is structured well, thoughtful, certainly impact making.

Sorce
 

bonsaibp

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So far we've received only about 8 emails but its early in the process. The first year with a 200 grant we got 16 letters, last year another 200 grant and we got something like 67 With a 1000 grant I expect it to be significantly higher.
 

bonsaibp

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This is the real deal - we are giving away two $1000 grants to study bonsai. I encourage anyone who seriously wants to learn to apply. Open to all bonsai enthusiasts who can accept a check from a US bank. See all the details above.
 
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