As the new school year approaches, it’s time for extracurricular groups to figure out how to recruit new members. It all starts with the extracurricular fair your school or university has at the beginning of each semester. Whether you’re a faculty advisor or a student officer, this is your chance to catch prospective members at their most enthusiastic and energetic point in the year. Every fair features rows of school tables populated by organizations like yours competing to occupy students’ time. Here’s some advice on how to make your table stand out from the crowd:

• Offer Free Stuff - Whether it’s candy, pens, a custom advertising magnet for the mini-fridge, or super bounce balls, people are more likely to pick out your table from all the other groups’ school tables if there’s an immediate incentive to visit. If you have some extra money in your budget, try getting your group name emblazoned on your free gifts to help students remember you.
• Sign-up Sheets - Collect student names and email addresses so you can keep in touch and generate continued interest in your group’s ongoing activities. Also, having information on-hand can help you get familiar with potential new members, so you can say hi next time you see them in the hallway or around campus. The personal touch counts, so give yourself a chance to make members feel welcome and engaged.
• Brochures, Literature and Branding - Give students something personal to take home with them besides a toy. Maybe write up some bios of group members, or make a colorful informational brochure telling visitors about activities you’ve done in the past and what you plan to do this year. Also, display your group name on a mini markerboard or homemade sign so people know and remember who you are.
• Be cool - Sure, it sounds obvious, but think of the extracurricular fair as an interview. Students will be going around to all the different school tables, looking for groups to tell them why they should join. Be friendly, engaging, and informative, because at the end of the day, a group is only as appealing as the people in it. If you make a good impression, visitors are more likely to get excited about associating with you.

Anyway, those are just a few ways to take advantage of your captive, yet mobile audience. Get excited, get prepared, and get ready for a banner year as your group cements its legacy at your school.