PCA SDR

From last month's meeting minutes:

Ted has suggested an
alternative method for giving out
awards at AX events by stopping the
supply of alcohol and meeting at a
pizza parlor after an event.



Bizarre.

That should help get the trailer loaded and the cones picked up.

May I offer this:

CAUTION: OPINIONS BEING EXPRESSED! READ FURTHER AT YOUR OWN RISK!




I think, as the former Insurance Chair, Ted is concerned with alcohol being consumed after one of our events - and then an alcohol-related incident occurs that could become a Club liability issue. Maybe?

Now: Much like the "War on Drugs" ... that attempts to alter drug users' behavior by cutting off the source of their habit ... Ted is suggesting, or implying, that alcohol not be consumed after one of our driving events ... thus eliminating the source of risk: alcohol related accidents.

Unfortunately, taking out one source of supply will not alter human behavior. It will simply encourage creative sourcing for the product. A simple review of the failure of the "War on Drugs" exemplifies this.

I don't think people will stop drinking beer and wine after an AX/DE if it's not provided; they'll simply bring their own to consume. As an example of "unalterable behavior" Jack Miller does not provide beer or wine at TT's, yet there is plenty of beer and wine after the day's driving. Much of it is shared between drivers. The sources are many. There appears to be no issue with that.

If Ted is attempting to "shift the responsibility" of alcohol being consumed to a near-by bar/restaurant, I think he may run the risk of people abandoning the post-driving responsibilities of breaking down the event, as you imply. (Or, there may be enough people who don't want to leave early and have a drink with their buddies. Instead, they'll stay and load the trailer. ) Regardless: I think shifting the responsibility or the liability won't effect the true problem: drinking and driving. So, should we be more worried about our responsibility to the individual person/club member, or our insurance fees? If we fear an irresponsible drinker is at our event, do we "pour" them into a near-by barstool and let the proprietor of the bar worry about the outcome? I don't think that's an option, at least not a responsible option for me to take.

Personal responsibility of others should not be assumed. True. However, I think implying that successful adult Porsche-owning men and women haven't enough personal responsibility to manage their consumption before getting in their cars is also risky. I don't think anyone wants a lowered level of respect cast upon them.

Finally: A simple review of the number of post-driving-event alcohol-related arests, accidents, or reported incidents appears to indicate that our current practices and procedures warrent no future change. If, however, anyone personally decides to abstain from having a post-event beer, I'll respect that decision.

Opinions rested. I'm sure there are other opinoins.

Thanks for your time.

So, Gary, there is someone else who actually reads through the Board minutes . That little tid-bit caught my eye as well. I am curious as to what the thinking is behind this proposal?
If, as Dan suggests, it is an attempt to avoid liability, I would point out two things. A club gathering at a restaurant or bar to hand out awards is no less of a club event than doing so in the parking lot of the Q. More to the point, I believe California has social host immunity so this should be a non-issue. (the foregoing are personal opinions not legal advice )
I recall at the last auto x it was a little difficult to get through the awards because Curt didn't have a bullhorn and a lot of people were visiting etc. Is this what prompted the proposal?
Personally, I like the current, informal way it is done. Waiting on the beer until the trailer is loaded worked very well and I like being able to get home in time for dinner after a long day. I don't know that I'd drive to a restaurant/bar for an awards thing after the auto X. Cheers, Leigh

Leigh, I have to admit that I don't read the board minutes regularly, but now I might. Trying to get rid of the alcohol is bad enough, who knows where they will go next.

Doesn't matter the reason for the suggestion. What matters is that I don't believe there is support for the suggested change. The way we presently do the awards works and adds to the AX experience. As an AX team we have asked that the beer/wine be held until the trailer is loaded to make loading faster and have more people involved other then the usual cast of characters.

I think this suggestion comes under the heading of " If it ain't broke don't fix it." It isn't broken. Therefore it should not be changed.