Edmonton BCH Contract Learning

Hi!BCH now has the systems in place to more easily create apps and utilities, but we need more developers to actually create, own, and take care of those projects to provide a lasting value. In an effort to increase awareness, especially among new or prospective developers, I'm proposing to do my own small part by running info sessions in my local area (Edmonton, Canada). I'm aiming primarily to spark an interest in people that want to get into a space like this and may not know it even exists.The Current Plan (what this funding is for)Rent a meeting room for 4 hour sessions once a week for a month at different branches of the public library around the city of Edmonton, Canada.Advertise the free classes on eventbrite.caAdvertise the free classes at the local high schools, colleges, and universitiesThe Cost1.06 BCH ($530 CAD @ $500 CAD/BCH - Oct 28 2024)$400 CAD (4x $100 room rental)$130 CAD (roll-up retractable banner)Banner designI have a presentation made to help outline the capabilities of BCH vs BTC and EVM networks and how there are opportunities available in BCH for those interested.Some slide examples:Delivery?I do have some experience running 20+ person training classes in past jobs, so I know I can deliver. That said, public speaking has always been a major dislike of mine so I'm hoping starting small like this will ease me back into it and build up some confidence again since it's been quite awhile. And if there's one way to get me talking, it's starting a discussion about BCH...Future Plans?My hope is that this can become a more regular thing, and I can start doing free sessions at high schools/colleges/universities and other locations. I only just started working on this over the last few days so not much progress has been made, besides confirming that I can advertise any library-held sessions at the schools I've talked to so far. If the library sessions actually happen and I have something to show it being a 'real thing', rather than just a random guy talking about some 'blockchain' thing, then that wouldn't hurt the cause!I have done a little reaching out to educational non-profits in an attempt to get the library meeting room rental cost down 80%. So far no luck, but if it happens that would drastically extend how long the raised funds would last.I also do some long-distance trips to various places so while this funding won't be applied to it, doing sessions on my own outside of Edmonton could be a possibility later, and having a history of classes would help in lending some credibility there.Recordings?Not to start, maybe later. I get the value, but I also know it makes me irrationally nervous. Baby steps!Worst Case?At worst, nobody shows up and I waste travel time + 16 hours sitting in an empty meeting room working away on my laptop on :)Stretch Goals?I'm treating this as a proof-of-concept run so not hoping for any stretch goals, but if anyone insists then I'll say any extra funds will be somehow directly applied to this education purpose, with the default being every extra 0.2 BCH ($100 CAD) adds another class (room rental).