BOT 17.0 - Board of Trustees Travel and Meeting Stipend :

State law divides boards, commissions, and councils into five classes for the purposes of compensation. As described in the State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM) section 10.70.30, the Board of Trustees is classified as “other.”

“other” – Any part-time board, commission, council, or committee not covered by RCW 43.03.230, 43.03.240, 43.03.250, or 43.03.265, but established by either the executive, legislative or judicial branch to participate in state government. These members have rulemaking authority, perform quasi-judicial functions, have responsibility for the administration or policy direction of a state agency or program, or perform regulatory or licensing functions with respect to a specific profession, occupation, business, or industry.

Compensation for Meetings

State law provides for members of boards, commissions, and councils serving without compensation to receive a special per diem rate (RCW 43.03.050) for time spent conducting official business. The Board of Trustees must determine whether or not its members will be compensated for attending meetings. At Edmonds College, all trustees, including the Student Trustee, shall be eligible to receive compensation for attendance at any regular or special Board meeting or retreat.

The meeting stipend amount shall be calculated in accordance with OFM’s SAAM 10.70.30.b Option 1, and the amount shall be set by the Board of Trustees up to the maximum allowable per diem rates for Snohomish County, and published in BOT 17.01pr - Board of Trustees Travel and Meeting Stipend Procedure at least every three years during the regular review of this policy.  

All trustees shall have the option at each stipend-eligible meeting or event they attend to decline receiving the stipend, and shall note that on the A20-AE form or in writing to the Director of Planning and Operations in the Office of the President. 

If the Student Trustee is currently receiving, or may receive in the future, financial aid, they are encouraged to meet with a Financial Aid Services Advisor to gain additional information as to whether it would be in their best interest as the Student Trustee to receive or decline the Board stipend.

Travel Reimbursement

The OFM articulates travel reimbursement policies and processes in its SAAM. All members of the Board of Trustees will receive reimbursement for travel on college business, the same as college employees.

Annual Per Diem Adjustment and Review 

In October, once the new per diem rate tables are published by OFM, the Office of the President will adjust the meeting stipend allowance to reflect the new maximum allowable rate. At the October Board meeting of each year, the President will report to the Board of Trustees the OFM’s per diem rates, which are in effect through the following September.

GLOSSARY TERMS
Board of Trustee(s)

RELATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
BOT 17.01pr Board of Trustees Travel and Meeting Stipend Procedure  

SOURCE INFORMATION