What is a consent agenda?

A consent agenda is a management tool used by boards of directors or committees to streamline meetings and efficiently handle routine or non-controversial items. It allows for the group to quickly pass multiple items with a single motion and vote, without the need for lengthy discussion on each item.

Items that are typically included on a consent agenda may include minutes from previous meetings, routine reports, financial statements, and other administrative items that do not require discussion. Members of the board or committee can review these items in advance of the meeting and raise any questions or concerns privately with the meeting chair or staff.

If any member wishes to pull an item from the consent agenda for further discussion, they can request to do so before the vote is taken. This allows for more efficient use of meeting time, as the group can focus on more important or time-sensitive matters.

Overall, a consent agenda helps to ensure that meetings run smoothly, stay on track, and enable boards to efficiently make decisions on routine matters.