It is the intention of the Mecklenburg County Bar (MCB) Continuing Legal Education Committee (CLE) to provide quality education opportunities to our membership, and the attorneys of North Carolina. While it is the usual practice to rely upon our member and other attorneys to volunteer their expertise to raise the quality of our legal community by teaching CLEs, it is acknowledged that there are times and subjects that may require outside speakers, and the sharing of proceeds or other direct payments, to provide such programs.
Policy
For purposes of this policy, “proceed sharing” means a direct monetary payment from the MCB to a speaker or planner, from the net proceeds derived from the attendees of that event. An “honorarium” means a direct payment to a speaker at a CLE event. The MCB shall not share proceeds, or issue an honorarium, to speakers or course planners unless all of the following exist:
- The speaker / planner is not a member of the MCB.
- Sharing of the proceeds is essential to the success of the program as determined by the program chair and cannot be waived or reduced.
- The CLE Program Planner of the CLE shall submit a proposal to the CLE Committee or CLE Staff, detailing the program; the expected attendance; the planned budget and expenses; and all other sources of funding or sponsorship.
- There is a reasonable expectation that the CLE program affected by the proceeds sharing or honorarium will generate sufficient net revenues to offset the expense of the payment and still serve the needs of MCB.
- The proceeds sharing or honorarium is otherwise reasonable in the opinion of the CLE Committee.
In order to share proceeds or issue an honorarium, 1 – 5 must be met and, in addition, requests from the state and federal judicial branches or the Mecklenburg County Court System will be given special consideration.
This policy is not intended to preclude and does not apply to reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses, lodging or meals; however, such expenses should be made a part of the initial budgeted expense of the CLE program, nor is it intended to preclude the granting of CLE or tuition credits to speakers or course planners. This policy does not apply when any proceeds or other source of payment to the speaker or planner is covered in full by a person or entity other than the MCB.
Revised by Board of Directors May 25, 2021.
Approved by Board of Directors March 22, 2018.