The written consent agenda is a tool for governance that helps nonprofit boards streamline meeting procedures by combining non-controversial and routine items into a grouping that can be voted on and then approved for recording in the board’s minute. The use of this strategy reduces the length of meetings and frees time for discussion of higher-priority issues.

Typically, these routine issues include financial reports (with accompanying budgets) committee updates, approval of the most recent draft of the board’s meeting agenda, and other non-controversial items. These items are placed on the agenda prior to a meeting. They are then reviewed by the board and then voted on by the board as a whole at the beginning of the meeting.

Before voting before the vote, the chairperson of board may ask if a board member wishes to move a particular item from the consent agenda into the regular discussion section of the meeting. This allows each board member to clarify any questions or concerns before the groupings are considered. This also ensures that no unintended issues were missed in the process of gathering information to be approved by the board.

A well-crafted agenda of consent can be a powerful instrument for nonprofit boards in improving the efficiency of meetings, increasing board director engagement and improving productivity. However, it is important to keep in mind that the consent agenda should not be used to discuss any item that requires in-depth discussion or thoughtful consideration, or in the event that a discussion might alter the outcome of the issue The influence of new technologies on the processes of modern mergers and acquisitions or impact. It is only used to address issues that can be negotiated without discussion, and the outcomes of all votes should be recorded in the board meeting minutes.