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Use of a m


 can greatly facilitate meetings. It can allow a board or group to

consider the things that matter most, while not forgetting routine matters.

A consent agenda is a bundle of items that is voted on, without discussion, as a package. It

differentiates between routine matters not needing explanation and more complex issues

needing examination.

What belongs on a consent agenda? Common items are minutes of the previous meeting;

confirmation of a decision that has been discussed previously; the chief executive͛s report;

committee reports; informational materials; updated organizational documents; and routine

correspondence. Items that do not belong on a consent agenda are the annual audit, financial

reports that cover important new issues, or executive committee decisions. These items should

be discussed by the entire body in open session. !! use the consent agenda to hide

important issues or stifle difficult discussions.

Using a consent agenda requires that the meeting coordinator and members follow seven

steps.

!"!#!!$%&&!%' The board chair and the executive director identify together

what issues should be at the heart of the meeting and what other items need to be

addressed. Then, they assign routine items to the consent agenda and create adequate

time for substantive discussions on group priorities. 

 $$()!#!$*$%'%+!All items on the consent agenda must be supported by

documents that enable board or group members to make informed decisions. These

materials must be supplied sufficiently in advance for board members to have time for

review. This may require that committee reports, etc. are submitted a week or two

before the meeting.

, !'#!$*$%'%+!reparation is an absolute prerequisite of members for a

group to use the consent agenda. Board members must read the materials submitted so

that they are prepared to ask questions about items or determine whether to vote

approval of the agenda. This may require more preparation time on the part of

members, but can greatly reduce the time used in meetings for routine items.

- %.')+!"!+.%!%&!%'"!#!!$%& The consent agenda is usually the first

item on the meeting agenda. The board chair enumerates the items on the consent

agenda and asks if any board member wishes any item to be removed. This is the final

point for members to raise their concerns.

/ !#.!%0$!#!1)!!'.(!'$+)!'2.#"!+.%!%&!%'%'3*+!$%

"!!&)*&!%' If a board member questions, wants to discuss, or disagrees with a

recommendation or report, he or she should request that the item be removed from the

consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda. Without question or argument, the
 meeting chair is to move the item to the meeting agenda. ͞Just a quick question͟ is not

appropriate. If there is %0 question about an item, it must be removed and placed on

the meeting agenda for discussion. If a member has a simple question of clarification, it

would be appropriate to call the chair or chief executive before the meeting for simple

facts of clarification.

4 33.!"!+.%!%&!%' After removal of any items, the chair asks for a motion to

approve the consent agenda in its entirety. The motion requires a second and a

unanimous vote, since anything less than unanimous would mean something needs to

be removed. The board votes approval on the consent agenda items as a group.

 .+)#!%++!3%+!.2"!+.%!%&!%'The minutes must state that the consent

agenda was approved unanimously and indicate which, if any, items were removed and

placed on the meeting agenda. Additionally, the minutes should itemize the specific

resolutions included in the consent agenda so that future board considerations will have

a complete record and so the permanent records of the organization will faithfully

represent all business approved by the board.

Using a consent agenda requires true collaboration between the board and the chief executive.

Both must be willing to do their homework and preparation before the meeting. The

efficiencies of a consent agenda give board members more time to engage in thinking and

talking about the organization͛s mission, programs, and impact. The main purpose of a consent

agenda is to liberate board meetings from administrative details, repetitious discussion, and

misdirected attention. The main benefit is better governance.

Bill Taylor
Weston County Extension Office

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