I am seeking input on the following questions. With sincere thanks...

If your board allows dial-in for meetings, is the compensation  lower than if a director attends in person? (Currently our directors are compensated at 50% the rate of those who attend in person)

Who approves board chair expenses? (we have been asked to change this from CEO to someone else. I am thinking chair of the audit committee?

Who authorizes board director travel and other expenses in advance? (currently this is board chair and ceo, but we have been asked to drop ceo and have chair only).

We include the Travel Day fee with the Meeting Fee for those who attend in person. Those who participate by conference call are compensated for the meeting day only. It works out to be approximately 1.5x the meeting fee for in-person attendance.  

We do not authorize travel and expenses in advance, they are simply claimed after the meetings and travel are complete. Wherever possible our team books travel, meals, accomodations, etc., to ensure compliance.

Directors are authorized to claim additional amounts up to a limit set by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee Chair, CEO and President approve expenses over and above that amount.

This question has come up within director compensation discussion.  Basically the premise is that the director adds the same input on the phone, or in person.  Granted that in person meetings are more desirable becuase they promote a more active discussion, but you need to weigh the cost of having directors attend if they reside in other jurisdictions, not only on the cost of travel, but if you have implemented a per diem for the days they are away from their home jursidiction. 

On the expenses, it is included in the directors compensation policy that travel and incidental expenses are subject to the policy.  Invoices are submitted to the corporate secretary and are approved and reimbursed on a quarterly basis with the payment of the retainer and meeting fees.