Loss Control

• Get a temporary liquor permit from the State.
• Obtain liquor liability insurance from the DISC office.

• Obtain a liquor permit from the State.
• Provide you with evidence of their liquor liability insurance via a Certificate of Insurance which adds the Bishop, the Diocese of Cleveland and your location as additional insureds.
  Note:( Unless they are an insured entity in the DISC policy they cannot purchase liquor liability insurance through the DISC office.)
• Provide you with evidence of their General Liability Insurance or purchase Special Events Liability coverage through the DISC office.

• Serve drinks to guests rather than offer a self-serve bar.
• Place table tents at each bar reminding guests to drink responsibly.
• Offer a wide range of low-alcohol or alcohol-free drinks at no charge.
• Require serves to measure spirits vs freely pouring drinks.
• Always serve food with alcohol.
• Close the bar an hour before the scheduled end of the party.
• Do not offer a “last call” as this promotes rapid consumption.
• Never raffle alcohol or hold contests that involve buying or drinking alcohol.
• Do not allow minor employees or volunteers to handle or serve alcohol.
• Never serve alcohol to a minor.
• Never serve alcohol to a person who is intoxicated.
• Develop a program for handling of intoxicated guests including arranging safe transportation (taxis, designated drivers etc) for them.
• Do not host BYOB events.

A thoughtful, appreciative parish or location, may want to pay the parish volunteers “just a little something” to show their appreciation for their dedication and hard work. Although admirable this can cause severe legal problems both for the parish and the volunteer.

• As a volunteer they are covered for liability and medical payments coverage under the Diocesan Master Insurance Plan.
• Paying a volunteer money or anything of value that can reasonably be construed to be in exchange for their work transforms them into an employee and, unless they have been added to your location’s payroll, are no longer covered for liability or medical payments under the DISC Program.
• A “stipend” is another term and method of payment.
• In addition to their loss of the above important coverages paying a volunteer can lead to other problems. They may view themselves, and demand to be treated as employees, eligible for all the benefits of an employee of your organization, including but not limited to:
  • Workers Compensation Coverage
  • Death and disability benefits.
  • Health insurance
  • Retirement Benefits

You are legally permitted to reimburse a volunteer for their expenses subject to the following:

• Reimburse the volunteer for particular amounts that they can document as having spent for your organization.
• For expenses that are difficult to document(such as for commuting or lunches) A uniform monthly allowance that, on the average give or take a dollar or two covers each volunteers’ costs.

Better and safer ways to show your appreciation to your volunteers without jeopardizing their legal status or your insurance coverage:

• Host “volunteer-only social events.
• Publish and promote “volunteer of the year, month etc publicity to in parish bulletins and articles, in local newspapers etc.
• Personally thank them either verbally or in writing for their efforts.
• Use your imagination and not your money to thank your volunteers for the invaluable work that they do for your parish or organization.