Minute Taking

Minute Taking

Ensure that the minutes you take at meetings are clear, accurate and professional. Learn to work with the chair, prepare the agenda and confidently record the meeting.

Introduction

• Why have meetings and why take minutes

• The difference minutes can make

• Why minutes must be clear and accurate

Becoming a minute-taker

• What is the role of a minute taker?

• Skills required by a minute taker

• The tasks of the effective minute taker

Preparation before a meeting

• The role of the chair and how to work with your chair

• Discussing the meeting with the chair before it starts

• Understanding the aim of the meeting

• Preparing the agenda

The meeting

• Effective listening and understanding

• Analysing what is being said

• Taking notes and deciding what to record

• Impartial recording of the meeting and points made

• Identifying individual contributors

• Maintaining your concentration throughout the meeting

Writing up the minutes

• The difference between informal and formal minutes

• Choosing which style is appropriate for a meeting

• Transcribing your notes

• How much details to include

• Structuring the minutes

• Writing in a clear, concise style of English

• Good use of grammar and language

• When to use jargon and abbreviations

• Formatting the minutes in an easy to read and digest layout

Editing the minutes

• Assessing the minutes - what are they trying to achieve

• Ensuring the minutes are actionable

• Getting input from other attendees

• Distributing the minutes

Questions and answers