Citizens for Open Government in the Sioux Empire (COGSe) is holding an organizational meeting to gauge interest in starting a South Dakota Common Cause chapter from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 4, 2006  in Room 102 of the Madsen Center at Augustana College in Sioux Falls.

Jack Gould, president of the Nebraska Common Cause chapter, will lead the meeting.

According to Common Cause's website (http://www.commoncause.org), "Common Cause is a nonpartisan nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1970 by John Gardner as a vehicle for citizens to make their voices heard in the political process and to hold their elected leaders accountable to the public interest. Now with nearly 300,000 members and supporters and 38 state organization, Common Cause remains committed to honest, open, and accountable government, as well as encouraging citizen participation in democracy."

"COGSe is excited to help lead this effort," said COGSe co-founder, Todd Epp, an attorney from Harrisburg, SD.  "South Dakota used to have a chapter in the 1970s.  There are plenty of issues in open government and accountability to keep a South Dakota chapter busy today."

The public is welcome to attend.  For planning purposes, please email Todd Epp at epplaw(at)gmail.com if you plan to come to the event, or call 605.767.5531 for more information.