Who Gets the Honorarium?
APRIL 2007
Q:
We have a volunteer speakers’ bureau, where people
go out into the community to speak on behalf of our
organization. We’ve learned that in a number of
cases, some of these individuals were given honorarium
checks, made out in their names. This has raised the
question, to whom does the check belong. We don’t
have a policy that deals with this, but we see that
we need one. Any thoughts on what that should read?
We are leaning toward requiring that all such checks
belong to the organization.
Also,
how should we respond if we’re asked about honorariums
by groups that are booking our speakers? What should
we do if a speaker is handed an honorarium made out
to him or her personally?
A:
This is an issue that few organizations think about
before facing the very situation you are raising. While
the individuals are the ones giving their time, in reality,
the only reason they are being booked is as spokespersons
of the organization and advocates of its mission. In
that regard, it makes sense that the money belongs to
the organization. Also, is it fair that some speakers
get paid and others don’t for doing essentially
the exact same thing? Making sure the money goes to
the organization evens this out.
You
don’t say who comprises your speakers’ bureau,
but payments both to board members and staff can be
problematic. Just one example: if the staff member is
speaking on the clock the honorarium check can be considered
double-dipping. Having honorarium monies go to the organization
eliminates any potentially embarrassing questions from
the public about payments to individuals and is another
reason for directing these monies.
That
being said, you can set whatever kind of policy your
board desires. There are examples out there. However,
if you are leaning toward having the monies go to the
organization, your policy statement can merely read,
“All honorariums are the property of the organization
and should be made out to ________ or endorsed to ___________.”
As
to what to tell people making requests for speakers,
I would coach everyone taking such requests to say,
“Our speakers are sent out free as a public service.
In the past we have had situations where organizations
provided our speakers with small honorariums as a thank
you. Our speakers are not allowed to accept such gifts.
If you feel you must respond with some sort of financial
thank you, a gift to our organization (give legal name)
is always appreciated, but, again, is totally unnecessary.”
If after that, a speaker is still handed a check made
out in his or her name, according to your policy he
or she should endorse it over to the organization.
Of
course, if someone or an organization gives you a check,
you’ll want to send a thank you and put a stewardship
plan in place!
