Can I be a player and an arbiter at the same time?

The question of the player-arbiter comes up quite a lot. Is it possible to be an arbiter and a player in the same tournament? The answer depends on what event it is.
For small events or club events, the player/arbiter is quite common, and normally it isn't a problem. For FIDE rated events it is discouraged, but not totally out of the question. However, if you wish to earn an arbiters norm (FA/IA) from a FIDE rated event, then you either have to be a non-playing arbiter, or forgo the norm.
In response to a question from Peter Cassettaru, the Chairman of the FIDE Arbiters Commission stated:

Dear Mr. Cassettari,

it is not allowed the Arbiter of a FIDE rated tournament to be a player in the same tournament at the same time.

Such an Arbiter's norm shall not be recognized.

With best regards

Panagiotis Nikolopoulos

Chairman

FIDE Arbiters' Commission

New FIDE Arbiter fees

The FIDE Arbiters commission have introduce a scheduled set of fees for Arbiters. For now they are listed below, comments to come later

6.1

A titled active Arbiter (International Arbiter or FIDE Arbiter) and a National Arbiter
working in a FIDE rated tournament shall be charged with a “licence fee”.
The licence will be valid for life, on the condition the arbiter remains an active
arbiter, and will be in effect from the day after FIDE has received the fee.
The licence fee for National Arbiters is valid for life.
If a National Arbiter is awarded the title of “FIDE Arbiter” the licence fee for this
title has to be paid to FIDE.
If an arbiter upgrades his/her category only the difference between the category
fee has to be paid to FIDE.
If a “FIDE Arbiter” achieves the title of “International Arbiter”, the fee for the new
title has to be paid to FIDE.
The licence fee will be:
a) for A’ Category Arbiters (only IAs):
300 €
b) for B’ Category Arbiters (only IAs):
200 €
c) for C’ Category Arbiters:
IAs
160 €
FAs
120 €
d) for D’ Category Arbiters:
IAs
100 €
FAs
80 €
e) for National Arbiters
20 €
Failure to pay the licence fee will lead to exclusion from the FIDE Arbiters’ list.
The Arbiters’ licence will come into effect from 01. 01. 2013.
From 01. 01. 2013 all arbiters of FIDE rated tournaments shall be licensed.
An arbiter who has become inactive (see annex 2, articles 1.3 and 1.4) is
considered not to be licensed any more.
In order to be active again the arbiter has to pay for a new licence.
If the article 6.6 is not fulfilled, the tournaments shall not be rated.
From 01. 01. 2013 the licence fee will be charged together with the application
fee for all awarded arbiter titles.

Dealing with resignation offers

The 2011 Dubbo Open ran pretty smoothly, with only a couple of minor arbiting issues to deal with. But I did come across something I've never personally witnessed before (although I have heard reports of it happening elsewhere).

On the lower boards there was game where one side was easily winning. The player was 2 queens ahead and was a few moves away from mate. She clearly new what she was doing but at one point ,after moving, she simply asked he opponent "Would you like to resign?" in the same manner you would offer a draw. The opponent said "No" and the game soon reached its conclusion.

It was a minor breach of the rules ("disturbing your opponent") and I did not interfere. But if such an 'offer' was allowed in the rules, I wonder how you would signify it on your scores sheet?