Branch Policy Manual

Speaker Expense Policy

All requests for speaker expenses must be approved by the Executive Director. This Policy guides that approval process.

1. Lawyers are not paid as speakers unless:
   1. Part of their business involves training the profession in a specific subject-matter expertise;
   2. They are providing Indigenous cultural competency training; or
   3. They are a renowned speaker and generally charge speaking fees.
2. Indigenous Elders are always provided an honourarium which can range from $250 – $500 depending on the event, person, First Nation, etc. Participation by Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers in land acknowledgments and welcome for events such as the Mid-Winter and Annual Meeting is a priority. They may be recognized by an honorarium in an amount determined appropriate by the Executive Director. If such honorarium will exceed $750, the Executive Director must obtain prior approval from the Board.
3. Any Section who encounters a speaking fee request from a proposed speaker must seek approval from the Executive Director and that approval will only be granted in exceptional circumstances;
4. If the Executive Director approves payment of a speaker, efforts will be made to increase the audience for the session which may include a joint Section meeting or elevation to a Branch professional development event.
5. Approval by the Executive Director for payment of a speaker does not automatically result in a charge to Members for the session.  Some sessions, such as Indigenous, equity & diversity or well-being sessions may be offered free to CBA-SK Members.
6. In the case of an exceptional speaker, CBA-SK may seek sponsorship for the session.