The University of Manitoba Student Union recently reviewed and rejected a motion calling for UMSU community representatives to receive an honorarium. According to the student newspaper The Manitoban, UMSU has seven elected volunteer community representatives who “advocate on behalf of and represent their community” to the UMSU board of directors. Those that put forward the motion emphasized the need to demonstrate appreciation, as well as the inconsistent use of honoraria in the past; those against argued that it could lead to biases in voting decisions and the union’s existing bylaws . Ultimately, the honoraria motion was ruled out of order due to union bylaws, though UMSU President Divya Sharma announced that representatives would receive a $250 UMSU gift card in recognition of their work.
