HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Alcohol Coalition Mission.docBozeman Community Alcohol Coalition (CAC)
Mission Statement:
The Bozeman Community Alcohol Coalition is dedicated to promoting the quality and safety of the community and campus environments by working to prevent the illegal and harmful use of
alcohol, while promoting responsible behavior. This will be accomplished collaboratively via comprehensive and sustainable policy and programming strategies based on effective practice.
Coalition History:
The current Community Alcohol Coalition (CAC) is the result of the Bozeman Alcohol Policy Advisory Council’s (BAPAC) recommendation to the City Commission in the Spring of 2003. The
BAPAC was initiated as a six-month task force to assess current alcohol policy pertaining to underage drinking and recommend policies that had been shown to be effective in other campus
communities. The City Commission approved the top five policy recommendations in March 2003, along with the highest priority recommendation: the formation of an on-going community alcohol
coalition to continue the work started by the BAPAC. This work is to continue the development and implementation of policies, as well as consider effective programming and educational
strategies related to illegal and high-risk drinking.
Charge of the Coalition:
As per the bylaws approved by the City Commission, the CAC shall:
Advise the City Commission and/or staff as needed in regard to the policies recommended by the Bozeman Alcohol Policy Advisory Council and endorsed by the City Commission, as well as
other alcohol related policies or issues within the City of Bozeman. A special group comprised of CAC officers and/or members of the BAPAC will review policy drafts as they are created;
Promote, advocate for, assist with the development, implementation and evaluation of new ordinances as well as changes to existing laws;
Examine additional policy, programming and awareness strategies to increase the health and safety of Bozeman residents by preventing underage and high risk drinking behaviors and the
associated consequences. Recommendations should be based on known-effective practice and will be made to the City Commission as needed.
The primary role of the CAC is to support the work of the BAPAC, namely to support the passage of the five top policy recommendations and ensure these are faithful to the intention of
the BAPAC. Changes to existing policies and other policy recommendations were included in the BAPAC report for further consideration. These will be revisited by the CAC, along with consideration
of other efforts, such as raising community awareness related to new or existing city ordinances.
The CAC may also serve as a sounding board for alcohol-related issues as they arise within the community or on campus (which impact the surrounding community). The CAC can serve as an
advisory board for the Commission and City staff and serve as an appropriate forum to discuss issues that involve a variety of community interests.
Role of the Coalition members:
Comprehensive community action is considered key in addressing the harm associated with high risk and illegal use of alcohol. This calls for a cooperative effort on the part of all stakeholders,
including the campus community, business owners, the hospitality industry, parents, local high school officials, law enforcement officers, students, and the medical and prevention fields.
It is expected that each member of the CAC will provide his or her perspective on the topic at hand. Coalitions generally include individuals with more experience in a particular area,
or with a specific interest or agenda. It is expected that CAC members will not always reach consensus on an issue. In fact, disagreement can be useful if conducted in a respectful manner.
In order to develop a collaborative environment, all members must be active participants, and other members must allow all perspectives to be heard. It will be the role of the facilitator
to ensure every member has the opportunity to provide input.
Coalition Plan:
The group shall continue the work involved with the priority ordinances and other projects and issues as they arise. Specific activities as defined by the City Commission include:
Promote, advocate, and assist with the passing of BAPAC’s top five policy recommendations.
Keg registration policy
Social Host ordinance
Responsible Beverage Service training for all employees who serve or sell alcohol (incentive-based)
Safe Neighborhood/Party ordinance
Mandatory Responsible Beverage Service training for special events
Implement appropriate public awareness strategies around newly formed policies or practices.
Discuss alcohol-related issues impacting the campus and community as they arise
Serve as an advisory board for the City Commission.
Considerations when forming policy goals:
Facilitating law enforcement
Targeting youth access
Addressing both commercial sources of alcohol and private residences
Inclusion of both environmental changes and individual accountability
Promotion of individual responsibility
Finding alternatives to punitive action
Incorporation of applicable research and data