What's in store for Ground UP this week - May 3, 2010

Hello Bloggers and Bloggets,

Welcome to GUP's blog. This is Phil Ruvelas, Managing Director for Ground UP Productions. As Kate mentioned, twice a week you will be hearing from the many company members of GUP. So far you've heard from Kate and Guy, two outstanding leaders that shape this fantastic company. Today you get to hear from me. In fact, Kate and I will be taking turns every week and what we hope to do is share with you how the company runs and our exciting plans for the week.

As managing director, I work with Kate, GUP's Artistic/Executive Director, to manage the various aspects of our company as well as the day to day tasks. Things we deal with include but aren't limited to season planning, budgets, bookkeeping/financials, contracts, board meetings, business plans, calendar, schedules, fundraising, graphics, marketing/public relations, website, educational program, grant applications, and shows/events (to name a few!). I know, it sounds very tedious but believe me when I say it is not. In fact, it's exciting and exhilarating. Especially when amazing things happen for the company like beating our goals for our March Mardi Gras or finding out we won a grant we applied for!!!! Even if it seems like a lot to take on, these things are critical for our success. What makes it easy for me is that GUP is made up of amazing people. Really amazing people and you'll learn that as you continue to read our blogs and hear from them yourself. I am so lucky to work with a remarkable team that make up our committees and staff.

So, we ask, what's in store for Ground UP for the week of May 3rd. Well, for starters, we are working this week to get out a massive mailing to all our tri-state patrons and supporters inviting them to our Gala, "The Bootleg Revue, Our 5th Anniversary Bash". We have an amazing evening of music, songs, and fun prepared, so hope you can join us for it. For more details about this exciting evening, be sure to come back and read Meredith's blog this Thursday. Lanie, Nick, Kate and I are also putting together our May Eblast and our Gala press release, both set to go out this Friday along with the mailing. Our Eblast emails are how we let our members and subscribers know what's going on with us each month as well as announce exciting news. Thank you to Lanie, Nick and Meredith for all of their work. They've been busy. The week will end with a very cool opportunity for Ground UP. We will be meeting with a team from Cornell University this weekend to look at a business study they have done for Ground UP. We thank them for selecting us and look forward to finding out how we can continue to grow and take advantage of every opportunity out there.

As you can see, it's a busy week, but this is only the beginning. I do hope you come back every Monday and Thursday to learn more about us and to hear from everyone that makes Ground UP the great company that it is. To learn more, visit our sleek and very cool website at www.groundupproductions.org.

See you in a couple weeks!!!!

Happy Cinco De Mayo,
Phil