Topic 2: Council Members – Council Meetings and Council Activities
Jake: “I like to attend conferences for professional networking. How does the Council handle costs associated with conferences?”
Conferences are important because they often act as meetings, retreats, seminars, symposiums, workshops, or events.
DD Act – Section 125(c)(8)(ii)(I – III):
Allowable in accordance with applicable program regulations.
As determined by Council Policy:
Councils can also pay for childcare and personal care assistance services. Pay a stipend to a member if wages must be forfeited to participate. Support Council member travel is included.
Conferences
Conferences are important because they often act as meetings, retreats, seminars, symposiums, workshops, or events. The primary purpose of such events may be the dissemination of technical information beyond the non-Federal entity. They should also be necessary and reasonable for successful performance under the federal award.
Sponsors and hosts of conferences must manage and coordinate all aspects of them. The following costs are considered allowable:
- Rental of facilities
- Speakers’ fees
- Costs of meals and refreshments
- Local transportation
- Dependent care resources
- Other items unless restricted
Note that fundraising and advertising are not allowable.
It is important to exercise discretion and judgment to ensure costs are appropriate, necessary, and managed in a manner that minimizes costs to the Council award.