Campus organization teaches more than how to fold clothes

The Apparel Merchandising Organization, a student group focusing on retailing and merchandising, will hold a mass meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. tonight in the McNutt Quad formal lounge.\nSenior Laura Barker, vice president of the AMO, is responsible for operating the monthly mass meetings and finding guest speakers.\n"This (meeting) will include an executive guest speaker from the Target corporation and a philanthropic activity," Barker said.\nThe group will be stuffing treat bags with candy and small gifts for children at the Boys and Girls Club, said senior Karielle Foist, president of the AMO.\nThe AMO is a campus club that educates members about retail and merchandising by inviting professionals from the industry to speak and network with students. It is one of the largest campus groups at IU, Foist said. There are currently over 300 members of the organization and 22 executive officers. Advisers and sponsors of the club are Eloise Paul, professor of apparel merchandising, and Janis Shaffer, director of the Merchandising Education and Research Center at IU.\n"(The club) was created as an extension of the Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design," Barker said. "Its purpose is to extend the boundaries of learning from the classroom into a student organization. It also gives Indiana University students the opportunity to be involved in a professional organization related to the merchandising industry."\nThe group participates in several community and campus activities throughout the year -- it was the largest student group to participate in the Jill Behrman Run for the End Zone which took place Oct. 4, Foist said.\n"AMO is a great way to get involved on campus. It can help you to build your resume, improve your leadership skills and gain insight about the retail industry," Foist said. "It's a great group to get involved with and our members get so much out of AMO."\nRyan Timm, AMO recruiter event chairperson, said the organization can strengthen leadership skills.\n"I think people should join because leadership experience is always a great attribute to have on your resume," Timm said. "Recruiters look for something to set each candidate apart and AMO can offer anyone that ability."\nTimm said all students are welcome to join the AMO. The club is always looking for interested and committed members.\n"We are looking for members that have a strong desire to grow into leaders, people that are interested in the retail industry and people that like to have fun," Timm said.\nBarker said being a member of the AMO is an educational experience.\n"Any (IU) student interested in the field of retail/merchandising should join the AMO because it is an excellent resource for learning more about various aspects and potential careers in the retail/merchandising industry," Barker said. "It is a great resource for networking with industry professionals. It offers students opportunities to develop leadership, communication and team-work skills, which are crucial for success in the retail/merchandising industry."\nThe AMO is an organization that gives members hands-on experience in the retail and merchandising world.\n"AMO has taught me that there are endless opportunities for careers in the retail industry. It has taught me that a major in apparel merchandising is not about folding clothes and shopping," Timm said. "It is about knowing how to manage a successful business."\nFoist said not only does the AMO do projects for the campus and the community, but the members also have a chance to have some fun.\n"AMO is a very fun and exciting group. We really do so much on campus. We have philanthropy events and guests speakers at each of our meetings, usually recruiters or corporate alumni," Foist said. "We also raise two scholarships each year, host the annual Career Seminar at the Union, take a trip to Chicago to visit the industry and have an annual fashion show and raffle at the end of the year in Alumni Hall."\nTimm said the time commitment to the organization differs from person to person. A member can participate in every activity or just go to the monthly meetings.\n"Like all other things, AMO is what you make out of it. If you only attend mass meetings and nothing else, the time commitment is small, but if you really want to get involved, there are endless activities that members can do," Timm said.\nJoining a club can provide members with many new experiences and strengthen many character traits.\n"Being a part of AMO has really taught me so much. I have developed my leadership skills, earned three valuable internship experiences, learned problem solving and analytical skills and increased my communication skills and knowledge of the retailing industry," Foist said.\nFoist said the purpose of the AMO is to get students to learn more about the retail industry and become involved.\n"The main goals of the AMO are to give students opportunities for leadership, extensive knowledge of many aspects of retail and networking," Timm said.\nFor those who are interested in joining the AMO, check out the AMO Web site at www.indiana.edu/~amo.\n-- Contact staff writer Dana Sands at dsands@indiana.edu.