Club Makes Historic Shift on Alcohol Policy
The club’s no alcohol policy was revised at a membership meeting on June 13. The amendments to the House Rules came after a unanimous board vote on May 15. A liquor license application is now being prepared.
At an earlier board meeting several board members thought Friday dinners might be more attractive with a glass of wine. President Bobbi Cope appointed Kate Sullivan, Dave Magee, Peter Morelli, Scott Berry, and Bobbi to look at the issue.
The committee discussed the issue at one meeting, and refined drafts further in emails. The committee explored byob vs the club serving, spirits vs wine, beer, cider, etc., and locations in the building. Committee members noted that it was odd that renters can and do serve alcohol, but not the club itself.
The committee finalized a proposal that would allow alcohol at events only when approved by a Board vote. The member vote was 25 to 5. A two thirds vote of members was required.
Why did the Woodfords Club from the beginning prohibit alcohol at club events? It’s interesting to look at what was going on with temperance and prohibition at the time of the club’s founding.
The so-called Maine Law in 1851 outlawed the sale of liquor. It was not well enforced. In 1904 Bangor had 67 saloons. Various “private clubs” were also able to skirt the laws.
The climate shifted further against alcohol in 1905 when the Legislature created the Liquor Enforcement Commission, with the power of search and seizure without a warrant. Enforcement became strict. There was an attempt to repeal the Maine Law in 1911, but the effort failed. The Woodfords Club was founded in 1913. National prohibition passed in 1920 and was repealed in 1933.
After the member vote, the liquor policy (in Part 1, paragraph 10, of the House Rules) now reads:
10. For Club activities, the Board may approve by a majority vote that wine or beer or cider or hard seltzer be brought to the club and consumed in moderation. Members who hold events for which they would like to bring in these beverages are required to obtain approval from the Board. The Club likewise can serve wine, beer, cider, hard seltzer or spirits at Club events after an authorizing vote of the Board. Evidence of intoxication will result in a members exclusion or removal and possible further penalties as determined by the board. In the areas of the Club that are available for rental, alcohol may be provided under proper control. Smoking, vaping, or any equivalent shall not be allowed in the Club facilities. Use of any illegal substances on or in club property is grounds for immediate termination of membership.