By ELISA TURNER

It’s that time of year again, folks— the ever-recruiting involvement fair. When clubs and organizations give out free candy, stickers, buttons, pens, and other swag in the hopes that some folks with a bit of free time will write their name and email on their mailing list. It’s easy to overlook the involvement fair as just another promotional that pops up in your inbox. But on Wednesday, February 5, clubs and organizations across Beloit College came together in the Powerhouse to recruit new members. I spoke to some of these club leaders that Wednesday, and their insights were more than valuable.

“The importance of the involvement fair is twofold,” says Lucien Kruger’25 of the Anthropology club. “One there’s, like, the obvious aspect of… seeing what clubs are at the school, and which ones are… well organized enough to have a table… But there is also the ability to meet and see large groups of people all at once, which is not something that happens at the school a lot… So it’s like an interesting vibe. New connections get formed. It’s a new way of thinking. It’s a new way of being with others.”

“I think the importance of the involvement fair is to connect students with one another and to, I guess, publicize what kind of… different places are around campus,” explains Ella Walters’27 of the Badminton club. “It also kind of acts as, like, a hub where all the clubs can… meet with each other too, or… see each other, which… makes it like, not just for… the students who are… looking to join clubs, but also people who are club members looking at the other clubs.” There is also something to be said about club collaboration— “I think there’s a lot of also… cross collaboration between clubs. And I think that’s also a really nice place to do that, or see that.” Walters also mentions the value of the involvement fair for new clubs. “I think for a lot of newer clubs, like, this is kind of their debut, or a big way… to let people know that.”

Siona Shishak’27 of FEMCO and WBCR mentioned how important the involvement fair is, even on a small campus. “Sometimes it’s really hard to be visible on campus, which feels a little strange because we’re a pretty small campus… But sometimes we get tucked into our own little, like, clicks and activities. And I think the activity fair really opens my eyes to what other people are doing on campus— what l might be able to be a part of, and what I want people to come and join, and hang out with… and get involved in!”

So, while you might delete the student digest email telling you about the involvement fair, it’s still a valuable opportunity for clubs and organizations on campus. Whether it’s a new club looking for members, or the oldest student-run newspaper in Wisconsin, or just an organization that ironically feels unseen on such a small campus— never underestimate the value of those free candies, stickers, keychains, and old newspapers. And, hey, you never know what might unexpectedly pique your interest! Maybe you’ll stroll around the fair and pick up an old newspaper or two, figuring you could cut out some graphics and make some cool decor for your pinboard out of it. Maybe you realize you’re a big fan of the content the paper makes, and you decide to stop by for a meeting. And, hey, who knows— maybe you’ll apply for their News editor position on a whim one day. Maybe you’ll get it. Maybe they’ll chain you to a spinny chair in the Round Table office in Pearsons and never let you leave. Please, man, I have a family. I’m sorry I couldn’t figure out the select tool. Just let me go. Please, no, don’t scroll to the features section. Don’t click out, don’t close the tab, don’t close the–

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