Cohousing-L Mailing List: alcohol and liability

[Lynn Nadeau (welcome]

As we approach using our common house (yay!) we are considering what 
should be our policy on alcohol (beer, wine, etc) in the common house. 
Among ourselves, we have had beer at TGIF gatherings on Friday 
afternoons, and occasional beer or wine brought to our potlucks. Nobody 
in our current membership seems to have a problem either with having it 
around, or with over-indulging. 

But as we struggle with an unexpected liability suit for something else, 
we can't help thinking about what is prudent in terms of liability. In 
Washington (maybe everywhere?) if a person drinks and then, for example, 
drives their car into someone and kills them while under the influence, 
the person (even in a private home) who provided the alcohol can be sued 
big-time.

We usually have guests at our potlucks, and will doubtless have guests 
often at our more-frequent socials and meals once we are in the common 
house. 

In theory, we could avoid the whole situation by never having alcohol in 
the CH. But that would seriously run against the grain of many of our 
members, whose fine wines and microbrews are part of their routine. Is 
there a way of minimizing the risk, while still enjoying the brew?

If your group has addressed this issue, what did you conclude? 

Lynn Nadeau
RoseWind Cohousing
Port Townsend WA (cherry blossoms, tulips and shirt sleeves....)
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