Question: Our Chairperson has now suggested that all board members should pay for their own travel expenses as a means of helping to make ends meet. I don't think this is fair, since some of us travel farther than others. There are no expenses for travel for some, including the Chairperson. What do you think?
Answer: Non-profit organizations may not pay stipends or salaries to their board members, but they may cover all reasonable expenses incurred as a result of membership on the board. It is entirely legal to recover expenses for board travel.
If you did chose to pay those expenses yourself, you should receive a charitable donation for the amount, since what you are actually doing is making a gift in the amount of your own expenses.
However, the real question you are asking has to do with the propriety of the Chair asking you and others to make that gift in the amount of your expenses for travel.
First of all, I support the concept of asking board members for this support, but it must be done very sensitively. The fact that your Board Chair has no expenses for travel (presumably because he lives where the meetings are held) suggests to me that it would be appropriate for him to offer to make a contribution in the amount of the average board member expenses. Otherwise, it is too likely that his words will be taken as manipulative and demonstrating a double standard.
Personally, I would not ask any board member to donate back their expenses, because they are already giving a lot in terms of time and expertise. Few things will demoralize a volunteer board faster than the perception that they should make this type of gift to show the other board members that they are committed. It may be very difficult for some to make such a gift and impossible for others. It may even lead to the resignation of some, because they feel shamed into making a gift they cannot afford.
I think your board should attempt to find other approaches to solve your financial crisis.
Les Stahlke, President
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