What is a Consent Agenda?

A consent agenda, or consent calendar in some settings, is a tool that boards often use during meetings to expedite decision-making. It is a process by which boards group routine, noncontroversial meeting items, and resolutions – such as reports and minutes from previous meetings — into one agenda item that can be approved without discussion. Although it carries the word agenda, a consent agenda does not replace the regular meeting proceedings. It is simply a single motion on the list and usually the first to be presented. 

The mechanism of a consent agenda works on a general agreement basis. As such, items included in a consent agenda do not need to be discussed before a vote is taken on them. Unless a board member deliberately asks to remove an item, the entire slate can be approved with a single vote, without further comments from anyone in the seat.

Common Items on a Consent Agenda

Because the items within the consent agenda are mostly routine or discussed at every meeting, there is generally little need for further discussion or debate. For reference, here are some of the items that typically appear on a consent agenda: 

• Minutes from previous meetings
• Non-actionable reports, such as monthly status reports
• Financial report (budget approvals, payments, donations, grants)
• CEO report
• Program or committee reports
• Appointments or reappointments

It can also include items previously discussed at length and require final ratification. 

How a Consent Agenda Works

When used correctly, a consent agenda can save time by streamlining the approval of specific items, allowing the meeting to move along smoothly. The step-by-step process for using a consent agenda is as follows:

1. The chair customarily sends out the consent agenda package, which encompasses all relevant details, prior to the meeting to help board members familiarize themselves with the meeting materials.
2. The chair is in charge of selecting and prioritizing items for the consent agenda. Depending on their importance, such items may be included in the main agenda or held in a separate appendix.
3. At the opening of the meeting, the chair inquires whether any of the board members would like to transfer any item from the consent agenda to regular discussion items.
4. If, however, any board member feels that a consent agenda item should be transferred to the main board agenda for more discussion, consideration needs to be given. Any reason for transferring an item, whether seeking further explanation or disapproving through voting, is viable.
5. When a motion has been made, the chair can either take it up immediately or include it in the agenda for discussion later in the meeting.
6. After all outstanding issues have been dealt with or where no problems have been raised, the chair or secretary lists the consent agenda items and reads them to the participants to form a consensus. If there are no more objections, the chair formally announces the adoption of the consent agenda.
7. Finally, the secretary ensures that the full text of any resolutions, reports, or recommendations adopted as part of the consent agenda is included in the meeting minutes.