The Publicizing/Promoting Your Group Event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26. The event was planned to give groups on campus tips on promotion and how to publicize their events creatively.

“Coming to this event can help any of the student groups get ideas on how to publicize their group events better than the old costume chicken,” David Nevins, the leadership development coordinator, said.

There are around 200 different groups on campus, and this event is designed to inform them how to get the word out about all events that are happening on campus through student organizations.

“Groups spend a lot of money to run their events and a couple tips on how to effectively and creatively get the word can really help student groups,” said Nevins.

“Some groups on campus have a negative stigma around them, for whatever reason,” Devine Nzegwu, a junior international studies major, said. “Going to the Publicizing and Promoting event is a great way to learn how to change the public’s perspective of your organization.”

Beyond this month, the campus will also host other events to help student groups. “Show Me the Money!” is a fundraising training event happening on March 5 and is designed to help organization think of more creative fundraising ideas and bring more money into student organizations.

“Brats are great, but maybe try something like Polish sausage and hotdogs to make your group stand out,” Nevins said.

Any organization goal is getting new membership and keeping current members involved with the organization.

Another event, “Putting the Pieces Together: Helping Each Member to Fit,” on March 31, teaches groups certain tricks that organizations can use to bring in new members and creates a more positive environment for current members.

“What are we doing?” will be an event training groups on how to plan for the future. the event helps groups set their goals for next year before the year is over, so when the groups come back from a break, groups don’t waste any time.

All four Pioneer Involvement Center provided events are part of Pioneer Leadership Series, which is designed to teach students skills that will help them become better leaders and give them an edge in the future. The Leadership Series has been going on for five years, and students receive a leadership certificate after the Series ends. To receive the Leadership Certificate a student must attend five approved Leadership events and write a reflection paper on each event.

“The reflection is there to help students retain the information they have learned,” Kelly Aldworth, the PIC graduate assistant, said.

“There are so many amazing speakers that come to campus whose message or stories have a powerful impact, we want students to pick topics that fit them, so that the message gives them new perspective or reinforce old perspectives,” said Aldworth.

Students who complete the series and obtain the certificate will have a better understanding of what it takes to be a leader, and skills that will be useful, not only in future employment, but in life as well.