Alcohol at Board Meetings

Patrick Meyer

5 June 2005

________________________________________________________________

Subject: Board Decorum June 2, 2005

Dear Colleagues:

OK. I know that this is not new, and honestly, I am really not a prude. Those who know me can vouch for that. However, at our last Board meeting the Board members served wine and scotch along with some pizzas to celebrate the last Board meeting and welcome new members. It was the first time ever that I experienced having alcohol of any kind served at the regular Board meeting which is open to the school community. When I mentioned to the new Chair "No booze this time" she responded asking "why, is it against school rules?"

There is nothing in the school rules barring the serving of alcohol (no pun intended!) at Board meetings. We are all in different venues of culture and acceptability for a variety of things such as behavior, including alcohol, drugs, and smoking. My stand is that it is a question of ethics and proper decorum that we should not imbibe at such meetings at least until all business has been conducted. My positon has been questioned by our newly elected Board Chair who feels that it is apparently ok if it is not in the school rules.

I remember one administrator friend saying once how he had set up the annual Association meeting at his school in South Asia as a beer hall with tables and table cloths just to get people to come. The beer, however, was not served until all the business was completed. I do not recall whether there was any specific rule there saying that alcohol could not be served during the meeting. My point is that it just makes sense to do business with a clear mind and to give a face of seriousness to the buisness at hand. Am I too stiff (again, no pun intended) on this issue?

It is amazing that this same Board recently passed a policy change making the school a smoke-free campus. When the point was brought up whether or not to include alcohol, the Board was flexible enough to realize that there were social functions where it would be appropriate, not to mention the fact that the Recreation Club is located on campus where wine and beer are served in the restaurant and pool side.

Is a Board meeting therefore to be considered a social event rather than a business meeting?

Who needs to lighten up here?

Thanks ahead of time for responding with your thoughts.

Patrick

Ouagadougou

Dear Patrick,

Make sure the quality of the scotch is at least Black Label and enjoy your final board meeting in Ouaga.

FYI, I had one board that REGULARLY served beer and food at meetings . . . but this tended to prolong meetings and there was a noticeble deterioration of discussion toward the end. Eventually, they decided to eliminate the beer but keep the food.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with serving alcohol as part of a year-end final board meeting . . . but would get the serious business out of the way first and schedule only discussion items once the booze is served.

Jim

Back