Board meetings are vital — but often bloated with routine approvals. Many boards spend 20–30 minutes per meeting on discussions that don’t require debate. This lost time adds up fast, forcing boards to refocus attention on high-impact decision-making.
“Many boards are seeking ways to create more time for discussions and reduce the time for routine and backward-looking information reported by management.” — Ernst & Young (EY)
One of the most effective ways to free up time for strategic conversation is to implement a consent agenda, which consolidates non-controversial items into a single approval.
Streamline your board meetings with our downloadable consent agenda template. Rooted in Robert’s Rules of Order and tailored for modern workflows, it cuts down on repetition and frees up time for strategic discussions.
Why do you need a printable consent agenda template?
Without structure, routine board items eat up valuable time. Approving minutes, standard reports, and policy updates often distract from urgent strategic matters. A well-structured consent agenda template resolves this by grouping non-controversial items into a single motion.
This approach can:
- Save up to 30 minutes per meeting
- Reduce administrative overhead
- Keep board focus where it matters most
Whether you’re working with a board of directors, trustees, or volunteers, this tool empowers better meeting management.
What’s inside?
Inside, you’ll find:
- A professionally formatted, ready-to-use sample consent agenda template
- A clear example of consent items in the context of a regular agenda
- A consent agenda cheat sheet on how to select corresponding items
- A walk-through of how to implement the process before and during meetings
Who benefits from this whitepaper?
This resource is designed for anyone responsible for structuring or managing board meetings:
- Corporate secretaries and governance officers
- Executive assistants and admin professionals
- Nonprofit board administrators
- Governance consultants working with small or mid-sized organizations
If you’ve ever struggled to find a consistent consent agenda format or wondered what qualifies as a consent agenda item, this whitepaper is for you.
Stop wasting time on routine items
Too many board meetings stall on topics that could’ve been approved in seconds. This resource helps you:
- Identify appropriate consent agenda items confidently
- Follow a clear process based on Robert’s Rules
- Share the polished, printable template with your team
- Improve documentation for your meeting minutes with consent agenda references
Boards that adopt this approach often report higher engagement, better-prepared members, and fewer off-track discussions.
Download the whitepaper and get started
Cut boardroom clutter and boost decision-making efficiency with a trusted, easy-to-use board meeting consent agenda template.
Get your free copy now and see how simple changes can save hours of board time each month.