Should we "adopt" or "approve" items?

[Guest Caroline]

Should we "adopt" or "approve" items - such as a strategic plan for the organization?

[jstackpo]

Same difference.

[Edgar Guest]

In RONR-land, motions are adopted and minutes are approved. But I tend to agree with Mr. Stackpole that it probably doesn't make much difference which word you use. Is there any reason you think it might make a difference?

[Guest Caroline]

Thank you! I've been having my board "approve" all motions, then felt like I should have them "adopt" the Strategic Plan. Adopting is more powerful and more of a commitment - more ownership, than approving. I wanted them to be connected and commited, but didn't want to change my regular way of having them approve motions. Maybe for this one agenda item, I'll make the recommended motion to "adopt" the Strategic Plan, and be at peace with both.

[Edgar Guest]

Maybe for this one agenda item, I'll make the recommended motion to "adopt" the Strategic Plan, and be at peace with both.

 

Well, you could make a motion to approve the strategic plan. That motion would then be either adopted or lost (i.e. defeated). It may seem like a minor semantic distinction but words matter and, unless you've got a good reason to do otherwise, it's generally best to use the standard (i.e. RONR) nomenclature.