Did you know that you can support UMGASS while shopping? FUMGASS has set up community fundraising projects through the following retailers: Amazon Amazon has a program called AmazonSmile, in which a portion of your purchase will go to the non-profit of your choice (we hope that your choice is FUMGASS!) To get started, go to https://smile.amazon.com/ and log into your Amazon account. You’ll be prompted to search for an organization to support. Search for “Friends of the University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society” then select us as your target organization. Then when you shop on Amazon in the future, remember to go to https://smile.amazon.com/ before you check out, so that your purchases will qualify. If you’re already enrolled in the AmazonSmile program and would like to change your target organization to FUMGASS, you can find that option under “Account & Lists.” For more information, go to About Amazon Smile. Kroger Through the Kroger Community Rewards program, you can connect your Kroger rewards loyalty card to the non-profit organization of your choice. When you use your rewards card (or enter your phone number) at checkout, Kroger will donate a portion of your purchase to that organization. To link your Kroger rewards card to FUMGASS, log into your Kroger account. To find FUMGASS, you can search for our organization number (PK265) or for the organization name (Friends of the UofM Gilbert and Sullivan Society). Once you’ve selected FUMGASS, it will be listed on the Community Rewards tab of your Kroger account. Many thanks to FUMGASS Treasurer Ali Roselle for getting these programs set up!

FUMGASS has decided to sponsor several active UMGASSers to go to the 29th International G&S Festival in Buxton, UK to participate in Savoynet Performing Group's production of Ruddigore on August 10, 2023. The production will be directed by FUMGASS Board Member Mitch Gillett. Aside from Mitch, there are several other UMGASSers involved in key leadership roles: Marisa Green (2021 virtual Trial by Jury musical director) is co-producing and the current Savoynet President is Marc Shepherd (former UMGASS President). Background The International G&S Festival is a 2-week long celebration of G&S held in late summer every year in Buxton, UK. Every day & night of the festival, there are performances by amateur, academic "uni-fest," youth & professional groups (including the English National Company, modern-day equivalent of D'Oyly Carte) as well as cabarets, concerts, lectures, exhibits and opportunities to engage with other G&S-o-philes from around the globe. The Savoynet Performing Group is a high-quality amateur group adjacent to the Savoynet G&S internet community that performs annually at the festival and casts (via video submissions) the best G&S talent from all over the world. Participants are expected to show up prepared and ready to stage a full production (full costumes, sets, orchestra) the following week. It will be performed for one night only in the Buxton Opera House in Buxton, UK. Mission FUMGASS believes that providing an opportunity for UMGASSers to attend the festival will: Encourage UMGASSers to engage in the broader G&S community and learn more about the genre, especially in a uniquely supportive year when they can connect with many UMGASS alums, such as those mentioned above Give UMGASS recognition in the broader G&S worldwide community and more presence at the international festival, perhaps enabling future opportunities to perform as UMGASS in the "uni-fest" or amateur festival directly at a later date Incentivize UM students and other new members to join the UMGASS community and encourage current members to stay involved in UMGASS by providing them with the opportunity to participate in a high-quality performance and travel experience that they might not otherwise be able to do on their own Promote goodwill among UMGASS alums and FUMGASS donors by using contributions to invest in future generations of UMGASSers, engage UMGASS in the broader community and promote learning about the G&S genre Requirements We will provide funds to reimburse expenses such as airfare, lodging & production fees to selected individuals provided they meet the following requirements: Become a member of the Savoynet online community (Google Groups or Facebook) in order to keep abreast of the latest news on the production. Have been accepted into the cast or crew of 2023 Savoynet Performing Group's production of Ruddigore, directed by FUMGASS Board member Mitch Gillett. For more information about principal auditions and expressions of interest for the ensemble, please see the Savoynet Performing Group Facebook page. They have participated in an UMGASS production or been a board member within the last 3 years (since 2019). If they will become an active member during the Spring 2023 UMGASS show, that will also qualify, but their expenses will not be covered if they do not then complete that Spring 2023 participation. This will be their first time attending the International G&S Festival They must submit an application by December 3, 2022 including: Statement of demonstrated ongoing, active and future commitment to UMGASS and Gilbert & Sullivan Statement of financial need Intent to document their experiences (i.e. in UMGASS social media or newsletters) and promote it to other UMGASSers University of Michigan students will receive additional consideration. The FUMGASS Board committee will determine who will receive funds based on its review of the applications. The application will be due as cast/crew submissions are occurring (December 3, 2022), and funding decisions will be made shortly after casting/crew decisions are announced. Applicants should email us at fumgassexec@umich.edu once they have their cast/crew decision. We hope to receive your application. Please email fumgassexec@umich.edu with any questions. May all good fortune prosper you! FUMGASS Executive Board [cover image from the 1987 UMGASS production of Ruddigore]