Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: alcohol (was Question)

[Lynn Nadeau (welcome]

> At ... we have a number of members and friends who either abstain from
> drinking alcohol on principle or are recovering alcoholics.  We try to be
> sensitive to their feelings about this and do not include alcohol in community meals or community events unless publicized well in advance.  We haven't had any overt discussion of this topic, so I am glad to see so many responses to this question from other communities. 

My suggestion would be: discuss it! At a minimum, it would clarify if there 
really is an issue present. If there is, here are some ideas for getting 
from problem to solution:
1) A sharing circle (no cross talk, safe space to share thoughts and 
feelings). Topic -  People have diverse feelings and needs around the 
consumption of alcohol at community gatherings. What are yours? 

2) Having then heard concerns, which might range from "I can't be there if 
there is drinking" to "I would feel upset if we ruled out drinking", a task 
force (or individual) could draft a policy (maybe "no alcohol at meetings, 
alcohol regularly at TGIF gatherings, advance notice of alcohol-OK events", 
or "at gatherings with alcohol, provision of reserved table(s) for 
non-drinkers", or whatever seems it might meet a variety of needs. 

3) If appropriate, a discussion circle on the proposed policy, to further 
fine tune it before bringing it to a business meeting for decision. 

Lynn Nadeau
RoseWind Cohousing, Port Townsend WA