Cobb Alcohol Task Force - Mobilizing for Change 

e-newsletter

DECEMBER 2013

December marks what has been called in a famous Dickens novel as "this time of the rolling year."

 

Winter is approaching, and brings with it many festive holidays. That fact reminds us to be particularly vigilant about underage drinking risks. The holidays present many opportunities for youth to obtain alcohol. Thanks to the work of our Education and Youth Strategy Teams, more Cobb families are aware that homes are prime spots for youth to obtain alcohol. 

 

But the holidays can also serve as the backdrop  for many civic events where alcohol is served. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), New Year's Eve is the leading holiday for medical emergency room visits related to underage drinking.       

          

That's just one reason to be particularly proactive this holiday season. We can follow the advice posted at 21reasons.org and use an Alcohol Risk Management Checklist for events that attract young people.     

 

We also have many reasons to be particularly thank-ful this holiday season. This has been one of the busiest years in the history of the Taskforce and the Coalition. But all of the transitions and challenges we have experienced in 2013 have been managed well. 

 

We should all look forward to a new year that will be productive. The CAT Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) Grant programs are going well, and there is a growing interest in the establishment of sound Social Hosting policies in local municipalities as well as around the state. 

 

This is an excellent time to count our blessings and take first steps toward an exciting 2014! Join us!            

Also please visit the Cobb Alcohol 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

 

DECEMBER

3 -   CAT General  Meeting 

15 - CAT Finance Committee Meeting 

15 - ReelChangeGA Video Competition Deadline 

17 - Education Strategy Team Meeting

17 - Youth Strategy Team Meeting

18 - CAT Governance Committee Meeting

 

 

JANUARY 

7 -   CAT General Meeting

8 -   CAT Development Committee Meeting

15 - CAT Governance Committee Meeting

16 - CAT Executive Committee Meeting

21 - Education Strategy Team Meeting

21 - Youth Strategy Team Meeting

23 - CAT Board Meeting 

 

 

Please Note: CAT Board Meetings now begin at 7:30 AM. 

 

 

Please check the calendar page frequently at www.cobbat.org for updates about events, meeting times, and locations. 


DECEMBER HIGHLIGHT: 

CIVIC PARTNERS   


Civic groups help shape our unique community culture and way of life. In addition to doing some excellent helping work, civic groups can have a big effect on the attitudes and expectations of the general population in relation to youth and alcohol. One way is to choose to make a civic event alcohol free.
   
But it's important for civic groups to understand risk management techniques for events where alcohol will be available. Guidelines for reducing risks and/or reasons for choosing to make an event alcohol-free can help mitigate risk and limit youth access to alcohol. Click the following link for the  Alcohol Risk Management Checklist. 
  
For more information about how Civic partners can continue to be proactive, see this link at the CAT web site.  

 

THANKS TO ALL OUR OUTSTANDING CIVIC PARTNERS.  Follow the "shout outs" to Civic partners on Facebook and Twitter throughout November.

 

Taskforce Happenings 


THANKS TO OUR BOARD   - The CAT Board Meeting and Leadership Retreat was a successful event and an important milestone in the continuing development of the Taskforce. Thanks to every member of the CAT Board for what you do to build and sustain CAT's capacity; special thanks are extended to CAT Board members and other volunteers who have helped to make our recent regular and special meetings some of our most successful ever!

 

And The Winner is . . .   - Once again the CAT Raffle prize was an Apple iPad! Congratulations to Yvonne james; her name was drawn during the CAT Board Meeting and Leadership Retreat. Thanks to CAT Board Members Bonnie Brand,  Jeff Inman, and Pat Guiliani for their work in promoting and coordinating the 2013 Raffle.

 

Sources of Strength Training  - The Taskforce is collaborating with Cobb County School District (CCSD) to launch Sources of Strength (SoS). The program provides training for youth as peer leaders, as well as for caring adults, on how to practice the kinds of awareness, active listening, and support to help youth cope with emergent or ongoing stress. The Taskforce is participating in the program through Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) grant implementation. Several SoS training events have been held in October in November. Thanks to Jeff Inman and Mary Hines-Bone (CCSD), along with Amy Benson and Kysha Parker (Cobb & Douglas Public Health), and parent volunteers, for helping to coordinate SoS training activities.   

 

CAT Youth Participate in Video Competition Reminder  - The Governor's Office for Children and Families (GOCF) and Public Awareness Campaign.com are sponsoring the Statewide Video Competition:  ReelChangeGA. More than 40 Cobb middle and high school students, including many members of the CAT Youth Leadership Team are have already signed up and are participating. The deadline for submitting videos is December 15. For more information about ReelChangeGA, please go to this link; also see the article posted below.

 

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 welcome!    

 

 
In The News

Deadline for Statewide Youth Videos is December 15   
The Governor's Office for Children and Families (GOCF) is sponsoring ReelChangeGA, a Statewide Video Competition that offers young people the opportunity to "Tell us why you choose not to drink." The winning video will be shown as a PSA in movie theaters throughout Georgia, as well as on cable networks like MTV, BET, Disney, and others. Deadline for submission of videos is December 15, 2013.   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