Those interested in public access to government action will soon have a new organization in the state.

South Dakotans of Open Government, or S-DOG, is a newly incorporated non-profit group working to make all government actions and records more understandable and open to citizens, according to Stewart Huntinton, its president.

The group’s first general meeting will be May 2 at 10 a.m. in the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn in Rapid City. Attorney General Larry Long, the group’s first dues-paying member, will brief the organization on the work of his Open Government Task Force.

Introductory dues are $25 for individuals, $10 for students. The group will soon be hosting a Web site to offer guides to open meetings and records and offer training to public officials.

Prospective members can call the organization at (605) 692-4300 or write: South Dakotans for Open Government, P.O. Box 8100, 527 Main Avenue, Suite 202, Brookings, SD 57006.