A: A consent agenda (aka consent calendar) is a tool for approving a group of items, considered non-controversial, en bloc by unanimous consent or a single vote, without debate or amendment. This saves time for more controversial items. The president and secretary often work jointly to decide what items will appear on it.

It can be used only if the organization has previously adopted a special rule of order allowing it. The rule may specify where in the meeting agenda the consent agenda will appear. It's usually one of the first items after approval of the minutes.

When that time in the agenda arrives, the presiding officer announces the items on the consent agenda, asks if any item should be removed, then declares the consent agenda adopted unless there's objection. A single member may demand that an item be removed and placed on the regular agenda for possible debate, amendment, and disposition.