NIU’s Society for the Advancement of Management (SAM) placed second Saturday for overall chapter performance in the large chapter division at the SAM International Conference in Orlando.

The division contained about 45 schools from around the country, which were critiqued at the annual conference, held from April 10 to 13.

“It’s the best year we’ve ever had as an organization,” Chapter President Josh Huseman said. “We all had a vision … We got the members involved, got everyone excited, and when everyone’s excited, they’re doing good things.”

The professional organization’s membership grew from 10 to 40 in fall 2002, after Huseman and Vice President Joseph Martillaro recruited heavily on campus. Considering each person pays an annual $40 membership fee, the group is dedicated.

“I think it’s a great thing for NIU,” said Martillaro, who’s a senior organizational management major and a former Northern Star reporter. “It shows the continued excellence of our business program and the preparation that our faculty provides us with: the realistic classes and course load.”

NIU’s award reflected its overall chapter performance, which included the year’s worth of philanthropic events, fundraisers, social activities, guest speakers and the overall management of the chapter.

SAM’s philanthropic activities included volunteering at Hope Haven, 1145 Rushmoore Drive, where club members cleaned the facility and helped serve food. SAM also sponsored two teams in the Bowl for Kids’ Sake event, where they helped raise $750.

The organization raised some of its own funds through Krispy Kreme, candy and T-shirt fundraisers, where members purchased black polo shirts with a red SAM logo.

“The shirts distinguish us,” said Huseman, a junior communication major. “When we were in Orlando, you could tell we were Northern Illinois University.”

In the realm of guest speakers, the group brought in First Midwest Bank’s trust division president, the owner of a consulting firm and a Sycamore entrepreneur. Overall, speakers’ employers ranged from large corporations to a small, three-person entrepreneurial company.

Socially, the group was a force at Friday Fest in August, which helped recruiting. It also tailgated at every home football game, took a trip to the Chicago Board of Trade, attended a variety of NIU athletic events and held barbecues. Its next scheduled event is a golf outing on April 26.

SAM wants to bring in more prominent speakers from larger corporations, as well as to implement a business and alumni mentoring program where graduating seniors would be paired up with business people in their field.

“Sometimes you think your contributions are in vain,” Huseman said, “but it’s a good feeling inside knowing you’re making a difference and having fun while doing it.”

The group isn’t satisfied, though.

“We’re going to take first place next year, not second,” Huseman said.