Cobb Alcohol Task Force - Mobilizing for Change 

e-newsletter

AUGUST 2013

August has become the month that schools and many other organizations recognize as the end of summer. The Cobb Alcohol Taskforce (CAT) also recognizes the month as the time to resume many important activities and to launch exciting new ones. They are all designed to lead CAT and its community partners toward a productive and rewarding 2014.         

After a summer break, CAT will hold its next General Meeting on Tuesday, August 6 at 11:30 AM. The meeting will take place at the Ridgeview Institute, 3995 South Cobb Drive. Lots of important information will be shared, including updates on the RealProof Campaign, Spokesperson Training, and the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) program activity. The Institute has generously offered to serve lunch. Please confirm your attendance plans with me by Saturday, August 3 via [email protected].      

  

CAT is supporting and participating in the work of the recently formed Statewide Alcohol Policy Group. A Leadership Team has been assembled, and the Policy Group will host a meeting/workshop in Savannah, GA on  August 28 during the 7th Annual GA School of Prevention Studies conference. Thanks to Cathy Wendholt-McDade, a director at Cobb & Douglas Public Health and a CAT Board member, for organizing this effort.      

  

Lots of other news will be announced in September, including an update about the Fall Raffle. But in the meantime, let's all continue to maintain high levels of awareness about keeping our community "alcohol safe" through the end of summer, and beyond. Everyone, not just parents, can help! Make food and non-alcoholic beverages available at your end-of-summer celebrations and limit excessive drinking. Refuse to supply alcohol to underage youth in your home or on your property. Report underage drinking incidents via 911 or your local police departments. Support law enforcement efforts, especially if your community has Social Hosting ordinances in place. 

 

Please visit the Taskforce web site, www.cobbat.org, to find out more about program and activity updates. Thank you all for your support!

 

Peter I. Armstrong,

Executive Director 

 
CALENDAR SNAPSHOT

 

AUGUST

6 - CAT General Meeting 

18 - Youth Leadership Team Back to School Event 

20 - Education Strategy Team Meeting

26-30 - GA School of Prevention Studies (Savannah, GA)

28- Statewide Alcohol Policy Workshop (Savannah, GA)

 

 

SEPTEMBER

TBA - ICCPUD Preventing Underage Drinking Webinar 

7 - Walk Like MADD Atlanta 

10 - CAT General Meeting 

12 - CAT Executive Committee Meeting

17 - Education Strategy Team Meeting

19 - CAT Board Meeting

21 - Youth Leadership Team Meeting

24 - Youth Strategy Team Meeting

 

 

OCTOBER

1 - CAT General Meeting

15 - Education Strategy Team Meeting

15 - Youth Strategy Team Meeting

19 - CAT Board Meeting

 

 

(Please check the calendar page frequently at www.cobbat.org for 2013 meeting times, locations and updates) 


AUGUST HIGHLIGHT: 

FAITH PARTNERS   


Faith communities care about strengthening families, and many families are challenged by problems connected to underage and youth binge drinking. 
 
The faith community can provide trusted guidance to help families cut through the chaos, confusion, and mixed messages about alcohol in our society. Another important way that faith communities help is by offering places and programs where youth can gather, volunteer, and succeed without alcohol.  
 
Faith stewards and advocates can also support parents and caregivers in the roles they play as mentors and monitors   For more information about how Faith partners can continue to be proactive, check out this link at the CAT web site.  

 

THANKS TO ALL OUR OUTSTANDING FAITH PARTNERS.  Follow the 'shout outs' to Faith partners on Facebook and Twitter throughout August.

 

Taskforce Happenings 


CAT Fall Fundraising Activity - Last year's raffle of an Apple iPad was so successful that we're doing it again in 2013! But with so many transition activities taking place during this past summer, we've decided to hold it in the fall. Raffle tickets will soon become available during at a donation price of $10 each. For more information, contact Bonnie Brand, CAT Board Chair, and Peter Armstrong, executive director.      

 

ICCPUD Webinar Planned for September - The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD) has announced that the next edition of its Preventing Underage Drinking Webinar Series will be hosted by the U.S. Department of Education and will broadcast in September, 2013. The exact date has not yet been announced. If you are interested in viewing the webinar when the date is set, contact [email protected] or visit the ICCPUD Webinars page here for more information.  

 

Volunteers Needed for Team Meetings - Please see dates/times on calendar and plan to attend one of these meetings. These team meetings are where the action is; all are welcomed.    

 
In The News

Walk Like MADD is Coming Again to Atlantic Station   
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Atlanta frequently works with the Taskforce on alcohol education and policy issues of mutual interest. CAT encourages our partners and friends to explore opportunities for supporting Walk Like MADD, which is set for Saturday, September 7, 2013 at Atlantic Station. The event will also include a health and safety fair.  Read more . . .  
 
Kennesaw Man Charged in Teen's Alcohol Death 
The Marietta Daily Journal (MDJ) and other news outlets are following developments of an incident in which a 16-year old died "after he consumed at least two large flasks or vodka and several shots of rum at the house of a 20-year old Kennesaw man." The man has turned himself in to authorities at Cobb County jail. Read more . . .      
  
About Us
Cobb Alcohol Taskforce is an alliance of individuals and organizations which mobilizes and challenges Cobb County adults to reduce underage drinking and youth binge drinking, by advancing strategic enforcement, policy and education goals.

 

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Contact Us
Cobb Alcohol Taskforce
3162 Johnson Ferry Rd., S-260
P.O. Box 823
Marietta, Georgia 30062
www.cobbat.org