Giving away free pencils, brochures and fliers, members of about 75 various campus organiztions tried to recruit NIU students Wednesday as new members.

The organizations, following the theme “Step into the Future,” were represented in the Organizational Expo ‘90 held at the Duke Ellington Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“It’s a great idea and a great way to let people know their options,” Jorge Fonseca, president for the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS) said.

The purpose of the exposition was to provide the various organizations with an opportunity to inform students about their activities and to recruit members. The exposition also gave students who want to join an organization the opportunity to see what is available to them.

This is the first year University Programming and Activities coordinated such an exposition, program coordinator Z. Ahmad said.

He said he thought although the turnout was a little slow, he was still satisfied with it.

Chris Lee-Thompson, from Lutheran Campus Ministries, said “I expected a low turn-out because I wasn’t sure there was enough publicity.”

Ahmad said, “I am looking forward to next year’s expo, if that’s what the students want. I would appreciate evaluations and suggestions.”

The exposition is a good opportunity for organizations to “rejuvinate” their memberships after members graduate, he said.

Ahmad said most students who came to the exposition went right for a certain organization because they knew what they wanted.

Students should have visited other organizations’ tables so they could learn more about the other groups on campus, he said.

Organization members thought the exposition was a good idea and a good way to let the students know about their organizations.

“It’s really good for students to see what’s offered,” Laura Radloff of the Kappa Delta sorority said.

“We’re glad to be here. It’s a great way to advertise our being a part of NIU. It’s a good way to generate awareness,” Sigma Lamda Sigma member Mary Ahern said.