Approved Policies/Reimbursement Policy
Reimbursement Policy
Adopted as Standard Policy: August 2025 Meeting
Expense Type Summary
| Type | Approval Method | Forum Post Required | Approval Timeframe | Typical Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Automatic approval (no discussion) | No | Immediate | Regular consumables, office supplies, vending machine items, emergency repairs < $500 |
| Type 2 | Forum review; auto-approved if ≤1 unresolved objection | Yes (72 hrs) | 3 days | Preventative repairs ≤ $500; other expenses ≤ $250 |
| Type 3 | Introduced before meeting; conditional approval if ≤1 unresolved objection | Yes (48 hrs before meeting) | At next meeting | Preventative repairs < $1000; other expenses < $500 |
| Type 4 | Discussed and voted on at meeting | Yes (48 hrs before meeting) | At meeting | Any expense not covered by Types 1–3 |
Overview
Protospace reimburses members for expenses incurred on behalf of the organization, following the four-tier approval structure above.
This policy replaces all prior reimbursement procedures and motions related to expenses.
Objections
- Objections must include the phrase “I object.”
- If the issue is resolved, the objecting member should clearly state that it’s resolved or remove the “I object” from their post.
Additional Notes
- This policy does not affect Directors’ discretionary purchases during the trial period.
- Consumables do not include “sharps,” except for the table saw, jointer, and planer (and possibly sewing machine needles).
- Automatic approval for Type 2 expenses applies only to purchases and repairs, not to policy changes.
Reimbursement Submission
To receive reimbursement, members must submit their request electronically to payme@protospace.ca including:
- What was purchased and why
- Your name (especially if you use an alias or non-obvious email)
- Whether it was pre-approved under this policy
- A receipt or other documentation (or an explanation if unavailable)
- Your preferred repayment method:
- PayPal
- Interac (email transfer)
- On account (against membership or course fees)
- Cash (for small amounts, subject to availability)
- Cheque
If you owe money to Protospace (e.g. unpaid dues or course fees), reimbursement will be withheld until your balance is cleared.