PACHYDERM CLUB ORGANIZING

There will soon be an alternate service club for Southeast Missourians to attend.

The Pachyderm Club is a Republican-oriented club open to Democrats and Independents seeking information.

"The Pachyderm Club is grass-roots, an opportunity for those people who want to participate in politics and need somewhere to go." said Skip Smallwood, interim president for Pachyderm Clubs.

The first local meeting of the Pachyderm Club will be at noon today at Bessie's Restaurant in Cape Girardeau. The guest speakers will be George Parker, founder of the Pachyderms; John Winston, president of the Missouri Federation of Pachyderms; and Bill Kay, executive director of the National Pachyderm Federation.

Mark Bredemeier, Republican candidate for attorney general, will address the group on Aug. 9. Carl Bearden, Republican candidate for treasurer, will speak Aug. 23.

The club is modeled after civic clubs, with a focus on government and politics. Smallwood said this is one of the only Republican clubs to offer membership to both men and women who wish to participate in politics.

The club was started in 1967 in Columbia by then-Missouri state legislator George Parker. Smallwood said Southeast Missouri is one of the only regions in the state that doesn't already have a Pachyderm Club.

The National Federation was established in 1974 and was officially recognized as an auxiliary of the Republican Party. The club became an official auxiliary of the Republican National Committee in 1992.

More than 50 clubs have been chartered in 15 states, totaling over 2,500 members.

"The Pachyderm Clubs are complementary with other Republican Clubs," said Smallwood.

He said the purpose is to provide information. The Pachyderms desire to bring people together, "even independent voters or Democrats," to provide a platform for party leaders, candidates and programs.

One ambition of the club is to help Republican candidates win elections and help the Republican Party grow. The clubs also showcase candidates and rally local Republican support for them.

The top priority is to provide a place for candidates in an election to come and solicit organizational and financial support, Smallwood said.

The regular meetings are the second and fourth Fridays of each month at Bessie's. On the second Friday, the group will hold an issue-oriented meeting on national, state or county-wide matters. The fourth Friday of the month, they will hear Republican officials speak. Each meeting will have a speaker.

The membership includes Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Scott, Mississippi and Perry counties. Fees are $35 per person, $60 a couple and $5 for high school or college students.

For more information, phone 335-4205.