Legal Definitions - honorarium

An honorarium is a payment, often a modest one, given to a person for professional services rendered when a traditional fee is not legally required, customary, or expected. It is typically a voluntary gesture of appreciation for services that are not usually compensated with a standard salary or fee, acknowledging the value of the individual's time and expertise.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of an honorarium:

• Guest Lecturer at a University: Dr. Evelyn Reed, a leading expert in astrophysics, is invited to deliver a special lecture at a university's annual science symposium. She is not an employee of the university, and she does not charge a speaking fee for academic engagements. The university, recognizing her valuable contribution and the time she dedicated, offers her a small payment to cover her travel expenses and acknowledge her expertise.

  This payment is an honorarium because it is given for professional services (the lecture) where a formal fee is not typically charged or expected in an academic context, and it serves as a gesture of appreciation.

• Non-Profit Board Member: Mr. David Chen, a retired attorney, volunteers his time and legal expertise by serving on the board of directors for a local animal shelter. Board members are not salaried employees and typically serve without direct compensation. The animal shelter, however, provides a small annual payment to board members to help offset incidental costs like transportation to meetings and the time commitment involved.

  This payment is an honorarium because it acknowledges Mr. Chen's professional service and time commitment to the non-profit, even though he is not an employee and does not receive a salary or charge for his board duties.

• Community Workshop Facilitator: Ms. Sarah Miller, a professional chef, volunteers to lead a series of cooking workshops for underprivileged youth at a community center. She offers her skills and time freely, without a contract for payment. The community center, grateful for her dedication and the valuable life skills she imparts, provides her with a small sum after the workshops conclude.

  This payment is an honorarium because it is a voluntary recognition of Ms. Miller's professional services and time, given even though she did not charge a fee and provided her expertise as a volunteer.