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Introduction
        A joint meeting of the Phoenix Bonsai Society, Bonsai of Scottsdale, Tucson Bonsai Society, and representatives from Southern Arizona Bonsai Enthusiasts, Flagstaff Bonsai, and a potential new club from Mesa, Arizona, was held on July 21, 2001.  The purpose of this meeting was to explore the idea of forming an Arizona State Bonsai Federation. 
 

Participants’ Decisions
        The core group attending agreed unanimously to pursue development of such a Federation.  A steering committee was formed to present an organizational action plan to the core group.  Members of the committee to date are as follows: Peter Bloomer, Fairlee Winfield, Elsie Andrade, Betty Knorr, Araxi Hovhannessian.  (We would like additional committee members.) 
 

Common Ground of Participating Organizations
        1. Our interests in growing bonsai in a difficult, arid climate
        2. Our needs to communicate and share information with other bonsai organizations
        3. Our desire to improve our success with our trees and gain expertise in the living art of bonsai
        4. Our needs to meet the interests and demands of a rapidly increasing Arizona population
        5. Our need to develop friendships and associations (bonsai is a sociable art)
 

Problem
        Bonsai Clubs in Arizona currently remain largely isolated.  This limits the educational, material and financial resources available.  However, expansion of the number of Clubs in the State presents opportunities to enrich our interests and the participation in the art of bonsai.
 

Purpose
        The purpose of an Arizona State Bonsai Federation would be to address the common ground needs of our member clubs. 
 

Proposed Long-Term Objectives
        1.  To develop and sponsor an annual State Convention devoted to arid climate plant material by 2003
        2.   To aid the Phoenix Bonsai Society in maintaining the fine web-site and in expanding the site to more fully communicate and share information
        3. To increase the number of  workshops with visiting Bonsai Masters and to sponsor classes at all skill levels as well as classes for children
        4. To enlarge the number of clubs within the state by a minimum of one each year
        5. To see new talent, different trees, exciting designs and to foster an atmosphere of collaboration and friendship 
 

Constraints
        1. How would a State Federation be funded?
        2. How would a board be nominated and elected?
        3. Who would do the work?
        4. Should the Federation be Regional rather than State?
        5. What should be the name of the Federation?
        6. Do we need a printed newsletter as well as on-line communication?
        7. How would each club be represented in the State Federation? 
 

Short-Term Objectives and Expectations
        1. Begin communication with individual clubs and members by e-mail, the web site, and at meetings by August 1, 2001
        2. Communicate feedback from members to steering committee and to core group in an iterative process
        3. Committee will develop a mission statement and goals by November 15, 2001 to be sent to club memberships for feedback
        4. A plan for funding and membership will be developed by December 15, 2001
        5. In January of 2002 a second joint meeting will be held to seek consensus on the plan of organization
        6. Rewriting of the organizational plan will be complete by March 1, 2002, and submitted to each club for approval
        7. Election of officers would follow approval
 

The (...) Bonsai Federation founded in 2002 is a tax-exempt, educational organization which provides services and activities promoting the art of bonsai throughout Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico.  The Annual Convention will give bonsai people from our unique and difficult arid regions the opportunity to:

•   watch bonsai masters at work;
•   participate in hands-on workshops;
•   shop for plants, tools, pots, and materials;
•   exchange information about suitable plant material and care in our 
     climate conditions;
•   and to acquire friendly associations with other bonsai enthusiasts.

A (...) Bonsai Federation Directory will be mailed to every member club each spring and will contain the names of all member clubs, their contact persons, and the day, time, and location of club meetings facilitating visits with other clubs.

The Federation will support and aid in the expansion of the current Phoenix Bonsai Society web site.  In particular, the Federation will seek to establish a message board on this site where questions and bonsai problems may be posted with responses from regional bonsai enthusiasts.  This site provides our best means of communicating activities and programs throughout the area.

A long-term goal is to increase educational efforts by awarding grants to assist member clubs with educational and internship programs.

We support, rather than compete with local bonsai groups.  Membership in the Federation will be $35.00 annually per club.  Two Trustees will represent each member club.  These Trustees from the local clubs will constitute the Federation Board and be available to attend club meetings, provide assistance requested by local clubs, and act as a grass roots liaison with the Federation.