HOW TO UTILIZE A CONSENT AGENDA
In the last blog I introduced the concept of a Consent Agenda. This blog will deal with how to utilize it and how to introduce the idea to the board.
How does it work?
1. Committee chairs are told they have to write reports to the board and have them at the office at least one week before the board meeting.
2. The Consent Agenda package is sent out at least one week before the board meeting.
3. Members are urged to read materials before meeting.
4. The Consent Agenda is introduced at beginning of meeting.
5. If Board members have a question or want to discuss any item, it is removed and put on the agenda.
6. Board then approves Consent agenda.
7. The Board meeting proceeds. Those items removed from the Consent Agenda are then discussed.
This one change alone can save most boards an hour of any board meeting.
How do you introduce the idea of a Consent Agenda to the board? We need to change the conception that a board meets as a “committee-of-the-whole”, and discusses trivial details ad infinitum. We must set up viable committees and task forces that deal with the operational concerns of the board. The board needs to trust that the committees will present reports that reflect not only the decisions made but the differing points of view and how the decisions were made.
Therefore reports should show:
• the people in attendance,
• the agenda,
• the items discussed
• and the decisions reached.
If there was a heated discussion and different points of view, this should be outlined. If there are items that effect agency policy, or expenditures outside of the budget, these should be noted and put onto the agenda of the board. If the decision is so contentious that a clear consensus is not arrived at, it should be brought to the board for further clarification.
This is such a simple and important concept, why don’t more boards utilize it?
Tags: Add new tag, Board meeting, consent agenda, nonprofit