The Card ME Program Materials for Off-Premise Liquor Licensees

Grocery Stores/Convenience Stores/ Agency Liquor Stores

The Card ME Program provides many useful tools for licensees use to improve their on-going responsible retailing efforts. To assist you in learning about the available materials, we have highlighted the aspects of each available item in tables below. You may also download the materials in PDF format from this page to preview and/or print them.

On this page:

If you are from outside of Maine, we would greatly appreciate it if you would e-mail TSUP.DHHS@maine.gov a brief description of how you plan to utilize the Card ME materials in your area and any feedback you may have. This information will assist us in assessing the reach and impact of Maine's Card ME Program.

Guide for Stores Selling Alcohol PDF

  Description
Aim

To support the retailer in assessing and improving their establishment’s responsible retailing system

Target Audience

Store management

Contains

Information, tips, best practices, and laws related to:

  • Hiring and Training Staff
  • Preventing Underage Purchases
  • Identifying Minors
  • Identifying Fake Identifications
  • Preventing Purchases by Visibly Intoxicated Individuals
  • Protecting Your Business: Store Set-up, Promotions & Advertising
  • Store Set-up to Deter Theft and Loitering
  • Promotions & Signage
Steps for use

Copy of the checklist for the licensee to complete in order to:

  • Identify strengths of the current responsible retailing system or practices,
  • Identify areas for improving responsible retailing at the establishment, and
  • Identify managing, hiring, and training practices which management intends to improve.

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Licensee Checklist PDF

  Description
Aim

To offer a concrete way to honestly assess the licensee’s current practices; it is not meant to judge or shame

Target Audience

Store management

Contains

A section for them to identify some best practices which they plan to put in place to meet current gaps

Steps for use
  • Determine if the manager would be willing to complete the checklist (recommended) so that they may identify which of the many Card ME tools best meet their needs
  • Encourage them to use the checklist tool to routinely (at least once every six months) conduct a “check-up” on their establishment’s responsible retailing system

 

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Public Area Posters- several different versions PDF

Employee Area Posters- several different versions PDF

  Description
Aim

Public area signs: These signs aim to provide customers with important information about state laws and store policies around alcohol sales

Employee area posters: These posters display some of the key information from the Card ME Guide for Stores Selling Alcohol

Target Audience

Public area signs: customers

Employee area posters: employees

Contains

Public area signs: information on states laws and responsible retailing best practices which the store is implementing

Employee area posters: notices about state laws and store policies regarding alcohol sales

Steps for use

Public area signs: They should be displayed in areas where customers can easily view them, i.e. coolers, by the registers

Employee area posters: They should be displayed in areas where employees will have time to read them thoroughly.

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3 Questions to Ask Before Selling Alcohol PDF

  Description
Aim

Designed to remind and/or prompt employees to assess the customer’s age and level of intoxication before proceeding with a sale

Target Audience

Clerks

Contains

Questions clerks should ask themselves every time someone attempts to purchase alcohol

Steps for use

Encourage the manager to display the sheet next to the register and in any other locations they feel is appropriate for the establishment

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“Dear Customer” materials PDF

  Description
Aim

To explain why the establishment is carding customers for alcohol sales

Target Audience

Customers

Contains

They are signed “The Management” so that the employees may explain that they are just doing what their employer and state law requires of them

The message may be ordered as a sign and/or as part-page handouts

Steps for use

Clerks may show to customers who question why they were carded

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Employee Reminder Labels PDF

  Description
Aim

To provide employees with responsible retailing information and tips on an on-going basis

Target Audience

Employees

Contains

1 sheet of 10 different labels per employee

Steps for use

The labels are designed to adhere to paychecks or other correspondences routinely given to employees

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Alcohol-related Occurrence Log PDF

  Description
Aim

To collect information from clerks about alcohol-related incidents or purchase attempts which were refused

Target Audience

Clerks and management

Contains

A tool to collect information to allow management and other employees to identify recurrent issues or troublesome customers. By tracking situations when alcohol sales were refused, the log may be able to show that the licensee takes reasonable effort to follow the liquor laws.

Steps for use

Employees log incidents of refusal or confiscated ID

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Employee Pledge PDF

  Description
Aim

To have management collect signatures from employees stating that they understand the store's policies, procedures, and commitment to responsible alcohol sales.

Target Audience

Clerks and management

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