What is a consent agenda?

A consent agenda is a meeting management tool used to streamline the approval of routine, non-controversial items. Instead of voting on each item individually, these items are grouped together and approved in a single motion. This practice saves time and allows the board to focus on more significant issues.

Typical items on a consent agenda might include:

• Approval of previous meeting minutes
• Financial reports
• Routine committee or staff reports
• Non-controversial policy updates
• Appointments or schedules

If any member feels an item needs further discussion, they can request to move it from the consent agenda to the regular agenda

What are the benefits of a consent agenda?

Here are some immediate benefits of implementing a consent agenda with your board:

• Boards can approve all actions with one single motion instead of filing multiple motions.
• Minimized discussion around routine action items saves valuable time
• It helps board members focus on business questions that matter.
• Shorter meetings

How does a consent agenda work?

Implementing and passing a consent agenda is a straightforward process. Here are the steps typically involved:

1. Preparation

Before the meeting, the chair or secretary compiles routine, non-controversial items into a single consent agenda. These items are distributed to board members in advance, allowing them to review the materials.

2. Introduction

At the beginning of the meeting, the chair introduces the consent agenda and asks if any member wishes to remove an item for separate discussion. If any member requests, the item is removed and placed on the regular agenda.

3. Motion and Second

A board member makes a motion to approve the consent agenda. Another member seconds the motion.

4. Vote

The chair calls for a vote on the consent agenda. If the motion passes, all items in the consent agenda are approved in one action.

5. Recording

he approval of the consent agenda is recorded in the meeting minutes, noting that all items were approved collectively.

Old business - new business

Non-profit boards usually meet monthly or quarterly and most of those meetings involve multi-item agendas. Tradition tends to rule what the design of the agenda looks like. I think this is unfortunate... Read more
Governing good - Grant McDonald