When Should My HOA use a Consent Agenda?

When (and why) does an HOA use a consent agenda?

First, let’s define consent agenda: A consent agenda enables HOA members to vote on a block of items that are noncontroversial without a lot of discussion. They are useful to free up valuable time during your board meeting.

What belongs on a consent agenda?

Typical consent agenda items are routine and/or procedural decisions. Examples include:

Approval of minutes
Final approval of proposals that the board has already been dealing with for a substantial amount of time (all members must be familiar with the implications in this case).
Routine matters such as appointments to committees
Correspondence requiring no action
Reports provided for information only

Sounds good, how does my HOA Board get started?

To start utilizing consent agendas, the board should adopt a rule of order allowing for the consent agenda process. Here’s a sample:

A consent agenda may be presented by the president at the beginning of a meeting. Items may be removed from the consent agenda on the request of any one member. Items not removed may be adopted by the consent without debate. Removed items may be taken up either immediately after the consent agenda or placed later on the agenda at the discretion of the assembly.

Remember that consent agendas only work if the reports, or other matters for the agenda, are known in advance.

We would love to know, do consent agendas help or hinder your HOA Board meetings?

Courtney Schwartzel