Yes, you are correct! 

A thank you card with a local coffee shop gift card sent to a County Commissioner after sitting down for an interview with a local news station would qualify as an honorarium. 

Now, what if the news station asked the same County Commissioner to appear on its news interview show in exchange for a donation to their campaign fund?

That would not be an honorarium, as the payment for service is being decided on in advance and would be considered a contractual agreement. 

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