i think allowing 19 yr olds into the club is a great idea: it allows us to grow the membership with a generation of people to keep this club growing for years to come.

Concerns about alcohol are easily addressed:
OSC only provides alcohol at one event: the Annual Affair, at which event, the club checks for membership at entry, and age would be easily noted at the existing check-in.
In regards to alcohol at 'informal' gatherings, such as going to the after games, or league parties; even end-of-season banquets at restaurants for some sports: In these situations, governing the use of alcohol has been & always will be the responsibility of the liquor license holder, for which they already have standard procedures in place (carding, wrist bands, etc.)

Provided those under 21 are not provided alcohol or encouraged to break the law, I don't have a problem. However if not done already, I'd suggest you run this by our Law Enforcement members (Mr. Len S.) or our club member attorneys. The main concerns are i) individual's safety and ii) any potential liability to OSC.

Thanks,
David G.

I'm not for changing the OSC age limit to 19, because of the legal drinking age.
If the State of Nebraska thinks 21 is a legal age for alcohol, there must be a reason.
If Nebraska changes their laws, maybe we should consider it, BUT ONLY THEN.

Teens don't need any additional exposure to alcohol at this early age.
Plus, I bet parents do not want their kids hanging around other teens that drink, let alone adults who do have that right.

I don't know any adults who want the responsiblity watching other peoples kids, and that's what we'd be doing. Can't parents be responible for their own kids?

I don't see any advantage to having to babysit 19 year olds in the Omaha Sports Club.
Maybe someone needs to organize a teen club for these kids that want to join...

I feel if you can go in the service at age 18 and fight for our country you should be able to join OSC. Volleyball is OSC's biggest sport and it is really growing with the younger generation. This way when they finish high school they don't have to wait 3 years in order to play volleyball again.

The drinking to me is the responsibility of the facility we rent from unless we are serving the alcohol . If the facility is providing the bartenders, it is their responsibility to check I.D.'s of anyone they please.

Absolutely oppose persons under 21 joining OSC. The liability related to drinking at OSC events is not worth the risk to the club or the individual. I really don't see 19 year olds wanting to participate in OSC activiities when many are in college and have so many other options.

I oppose lowering the age limit to 19 for the club for the same reasons noted by David, Gene and R White. However the idea of someone branching out to do a 'teen league' outside OSC sounds like a great opportunity. :)

I think lowering the age is a great idea. I think there are very few options for this age group to get involved, unless they are in college, but not everyone has that option. As long as OSC is not providing alcohol and a facility is, it is there responsibility.

To clarify: 18-20 year members would be wonderful. The only concerns I have are potential safety of minor members and any club liability. If those concerns can be addressed (ask our cops and attorneys), then I encourage 18-20 membership.
David G.

I oppose lowering the age for OSC membership. I agree if they serve our country they should be considered adults but when it comes to liability regarding drinking, I feel there are definitely too many loop holes in the laws and liability is going to burn someone. When the state considers them adults regarding drinking age and serving our country, then we should do the same but until drinking age is lowered, I don't think we should take the risk. In my opinion those 2 or 3 years of the adult population and the expanding of membership are not going to address what I consider the problems to be within the club. There has got to be a lot more people in their 20's and 30's that would offset the 18-20 year olds. We just need to be able to hang onto them once we get them into the club. (Why are they leaving?) I also feel that when the newer members get more involved regarding the volunteer work (board work) and support more social functions, then I think membership will start growing again.

I think that opening up the membership to people 19 and older is a great idea! I agree that not all college age people have opportunities to play in college. (Some might not even go to college.) I think that the Club would benefit from the additional members. Unless there is a legal reason to not make this change, I am all for it.

I find it disturbing that there are very few opportunities in this day and age for people to share time with our young adults. We may now have a great opportunity to allow our 19 and 20 year old Sons, Daughters, Nephews, Nieces, Granddaughters, Grandsons, neighbors etc to join us in playing Golf, Pool, Bowling, Darts, Volleyball and all the other activities that Omaha sports club offers.
I would like to see us lower the age to 19 and Heck, you never know they may even get their parents or family members to join or we may even have past members rejoin and bring their 19-20 year olds along.
We need to have this proposal at least go to a vote at this year's annual affair.

As far as I'm concerned the age should be 19 to join the club (I would even say 18). It seems that every objection to lowering the age is related to drinking. It's the Omaha "Sports" Club, not the Omaha Drinking Club. There are hundreds of opportunities to drink for those of legal age, but relatively few opportunities like OSC offers individuals.
As it currently exists, the club should never "guarantee" to any drinking establishment that its members are of legal age. I've never heard of the club verifying the age that an indivdual says they are on their application. Plus, I'm nearly positive there have been individuals in the club when they really weren't 21. I doubt that 19/20 years olds are going to join OSC for a way to drink illegally. There are much easiers ways to accomplish that.

After reading several pros and cons to a constitutional change, it is my view that lowering the age to 19 is not a great idea. Everyone is talking about drinking and volleyball (both good subjects, but not the core issue). Lowering the age to 19 is going to be time consuming for a committee: ballots, voting, counting, verifying and the like. In the unlikely event that this comes to a vote, there is still the issue of the change itself. To quote the constitution: "The Constitution may be amended or revoked by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members voting, either in person or by absentee ballot as provided in the By-Laws at any Annual or Special Meeting". This task alone seems difficult based on the typical attendees at the annual affair. Thus, I would guess that this would be an unsuccessful attempt for change. Regardless of the fact that most bars won't let minors in after 9pm (dart league, for example), I don't think that league or similar ones would have an influx of 19 or 20 year olds joining. My view is that this attempt for change will fail.

OSC is not a drinking club, it's an athletic club, therefore dropping the age to join the club to 19 should not be an issue, legal or otherwise. OSC does not provide alcohol, nor does it advertise or promote underaged drinking. Lowering the membership age is a great way to attract new members who will keep the club going strong.

No problem with allowing 19-20 year olds. But don't certain OSC activities include some alcohol in the admission to the event (Beer & Chili cook off being one). Certainly, there are ways to handle that - but it will be something to keep in mind when setting up those events.

Omaha Sports Club should be encouraging the development of younger athletes, if the purpose of the club is truely sports. Avenues to form teams and participate at 19-21 is not always easy, and the infusion of youth into the club is important for long term growth. Associating alcohol to the reasoning makes no sense to me. We all sign waivers to participate in the league, and the policiing of the alcohol needs to be an individual thing, when bought and brought by individuals.

After reading Debra's article of June 15 discussing this issue, it appears that the necessary due diligence has been performed verifying that alcohol, legally speaking, is a non-issue. If true, everyone needs to take that off the table. Having done that, if you are still opposed, then the question becomes, "Why?"

I realize that OSC provides a generous number of sporting opportunities to its members. But the #1 sport in terms of the number of participants, is obviously volleyball. As mentioned in other posts, lowering the age to 19 would allow a greater number of post-high school female athletes an opportunity to continue playing the sport if they aren't playing in college. There are already a number of current OSC members who are active in local club and high school volleyball programs and lowering the age to 19 would provide a nice link between such programs and OSC. Additionally, there have been recent efforts locally to facilitate the growth of volleyball to young men as well and OSC could be well positioned to take advantage of that as well.

Looking at it from OSC's standpoint, we stand to gain from such a change by providing another outlet for the club to grow & prosper. I also agree with what Joe Martinez said regarding sharing time with young adults.

So again, if alcohol is a non-issue for the club as an entity, what other 'valid' reasons do you have? Like with most things, I ask myself one simple question, "How would this affect me personally?" If it doesn't, I see no compelling reason to oppose.

We could just set-up a 19-20 year old league. Or even a 18-20 league. Let's them enjoy the sport and move into the older league as they age since it seems the alcohol thing is the main issue? Brings in new members and expands the current leagues set-up.

I agree with Christine Shank! Aren't we considered adults at the age of 18?
By allowing 19 year olds into OSC, we would only be making the club more competitive, and better down the road.
I am 100% for this.

Shawn W. comments on the OSC, not being a social club, but an athletic club; makes me think that maybe lowering the age limit to 12, would be a better idea.
Mainly because my 12 year old can probably play better volleyball, play better golf and bowl better than most current members now. But wouldn't allowing more people to play volleyball make the leagues more crowded? Wouldn't you be turning away people that play volleyball now? Because there's only so much room, Right?

Joe's comments allowing 19 & 20 years old; to join an adult club, because they are old enough to serve in the military? Makes me ask: Does the Omaha Sports Club have a boot camp that my 18 year old can attend? Because right now, he knows everything (You know how teenagers are). They all know everything and don not want to listen to ANYONE. I have heard the basic training helps adjust that attitude. Did you ever notice? they don't like rules either.

But I need to ask: Why would the Omaha Sports Club want to change this?
What's in it for them?. More money?
I've spent all my free time trying to getting away from teenagers.

It seems that "one person" in the club is pushing this issue for their own agenda and that this "one person" solicits others to vote; to get their agenda passed.

Good Luck keeping members IN the club, after the change, if any.

I think changing the age to 19 is a good idea.

My only concern is the use of alcohol. I see coolers of beer around the gym for everyone to use. If someone is to bring a cooler to share and is playing a game, someone takes a beer who is not 21, they could be busted for contributing. Alot of our events are held at bars and more bars are limiting access after 9pm to 21 and older.

I think changing the age to 19 is a great idea. There are not a lot of options out there for kids right out of high school and this would be a great opportunity for them.
Most of the concerns I am reading are regarding alcohol. Correct me if I'm wrong, but OSC isn't a "drinking" club. It is a sports club. I didn't join the club so I could drink, I joined so I could play volleyball. I would think that if 19 and 20 year olds are joining the club they would be joining so they could play the sport they enjoy not to drink.

I am a parent of kids in this age category. As a parent, you may not legally know anything your child does in the state of Nebraska, once they hit a certain age (but you can pay their bills--go figure). I would LOVE an opportunity for my kids to participate in a group like OSC where there's a chance they could meet other single people and participate in athletics without alcohol being the center of the activity. If the mission of OSC is to provide activities for people, I vote to let 19 year olds join and limit what they can sign up for if the activity takes place in an establishment that limits their access, such as bars. I totally understand the "not wanting to hang out with teenagers" thing, but I don't think the club will be taken over by 19 year olds as I'm guessing the number of people who sign up will be much fewer than those in the "more mature" age category. Those who don't wish to hang with teens probably will still be able to avoid most of them.

I would keep the age limit 21. There's not a big difference between 19 and 21, so I think the theory of having "youth" in the club to carry it on doesn't have much weight.

There is plenty to do around this area for a person 19 or 20. I worry more about younger kids finding something to belong to. If you want to hang out with your kids, grandkids, etc., take them out for a pizza or make a tee time with them.

Sometimes I think we worry too much about numbers. I say strive to make the club attractive to the age group it is currently set up to attract. We could do without another clique in the club anyway.

I would like to grow our membership by allowing younger members, but as I get older I can't tell if someone is 19 or 21. I am afraid I would pour a beer for someone on my team at the bar after volleyball and not know if I am breaking the law.
I know OSC is not a drinking club, but we do often have a drink after we play.

Lower it to 19. But be sure the liability section of the membership form is redone as necessary. Maybe age verification should be required for new members?

As in most proposals, there are pros and cons. What I am most concerned about is the fact that this is being rushed through so fast without exploring what the consequences might be. It is true that the establishment serving alcohol is responsable for checking ID's. But it is a proven fact that this is not always done properly. And as a supervisor of a previous job I had once said: "Anyone can bring a lawsuit against anyone about anything". Also to this point, I don't see the members in their 20's and 30's doing much to help organize or run events in the club now. Why would people a few years younger be any different.

I think it would be great to offer more opportunities to a younger group of people. We could use more and new blood. What a super chance to socialize and build our groups of socialites/athletes. We have to pass on our OSC legacy to someone. As always, we need to give everybody responsibility for their own behaviors. We don't have control over any of our 50-60 year olds who drink too much and drive, so it shouldn't be any different than anyone else. If we don't serve them alcohol, then we shouldn't have to be any more concerned than usual.

I would have to say having people under the legal age of 21 could come back on us. The way the laws are when things go bad they go after anyone they can. One mistake could end the club. Having to wait only 2 years does not seem like that big of an inconvenience. I have kids this age so I am definately not against them I just don't think they fit into a club that has been based on the legal drinking age for this long. I also agree with D Billig, getting any changes made is a hurdle.

I am all for it, believe that we should allow the membership to grow and provide more opportunities for the younger people to get involved.

ALL of the discussions boil down to alcohol & the legal drinking age. Thinking that's a non-issue because the bars take care of it is plain not true.

Yes, lowering the age would bring in some new talent for volleyball and softball. That would be good. These young kids don't want to hang out at the bar after volleyball with us old folks anyway (we're not old, but the teenagers think we are). So allow it... not so fast.

Annual Affair, "Beer & Chili", "Wine & Cheese" events are usually controlled enough that we could probably breath easy there. Use the wrist-band approach like the Qwest Center. Problem solved.

It is true that bars and most venues that provide alcohol are legally responsible for not allowing minors to drink. But the liability doesn't end there. If a minor were to get alcohol at an OSC event and something went wrong like a traffic accident afterwards, it doesn't take a supreme court justice to figure out OSC will have some liability and tort lawyers will use the shotgun approach to lawsuits.

Think about some of the other implications.
Situation 1) Suppose a minor wants to participate in the Dart or Pool league. Usually held at a bar that doesn't allow minors after 9:00. Do we make sure all leagues are finished by 9:00? Do we find a new venue that allows minors when the leagues are played? Do we make those members second class members and not allow them participate in certain sports?

Situation 2) Suppose a minor wants to participate in the Bowling League. No problem, the bowling alley allows minors all hours. The team gets a pitcher of beer. Yes, it's the bowling alleys responsibility to ensure minors don't drink, but the social aspect of our club will come out and contributing to a minor will eventually occur.

Situation 3) In years past, canoe trips were popular. It is my hope that some day in the future, they will come back and be popular. They were a lot of fun. Alcohol is free flowing on these excursions. I find it difficult to believe a minor that went on one of these trips wouldn't get alcohol if they wanted some. You can substitute any other excursion type (golf, backpacking).

It's not as simple an issue as some make it out to be.

Think about the newspaper headline "Teen Killed After Drinking at OSC Event". If an adult were injured or killed after an OSC event (it's happened, and fairly recently), OSC may not even make it into a newspaper article. But a teenager in the same situation, that's a headline. What does that do for the popularity of the Club?