Written consent agendas are a governing tool which allows nonprofit boards simplify meeting procedures. They incorporate routine and non-controversial topics into an organized grouping that can be then voted on and included in the minutes of the board. This method allows for shorter meetings and more time to discuss high-priority subjects.
These routine items include budgets with financial reports committee updates, board approvals of the latest draft of the board meeting’s minutes and other non-controversial matters. These items are listed on the agenda prior to the meeting, are then scrutinized by board members, and they vote on them in a block at the beginning of the meeting.
Before the vote the chair of the board can ask if any board member wishes to move an item from the agenda of consent to the discussion portion of the meeting. This allows every board member to answer any concerns or questions before the groupings are considered. It also ensures that there are no unintentional issues were overlooked in the process of gathering information to be approved by the board.
A well-planned consent agenda can be a useful tool for nonprofit boards to use for meeting efficiency as well as promoting board director engagement and enhancing productivity. It is crucial to remember, however, that the consent agenda shouldn’t be used for matters that require extensive discussion and careful evaluation, or if the discussion could alter the outcome or impact of the issue. It is only used in situations where the issue can be negotiated without debate, and the outcome of all votes should be recorded in the board meeting minutes.