Taking minutes of meetings

Background. Cycle of a meeting : the participants Arranging a meeting. Who will attend : administration-- Sections of a meeting-- Agenda. Agenda styles-- Personal preparation-- Creating the right environment-- Attending the meeting-- Taking notes. The message, not the words-- Structuring notes-- Writing up the minutes-- The minutes. Styles of minutes : common questions about minutes : useful words for minutes-- Recording decisions and actions-- Layout and numbering. Layout : numbering : look at the picture-- Impact of the freedom of information act on minutes. Exempt information : impact on meeting papers : referencing meeting papers : writing minutes-- Business English for minutes. Sentences : paragraphs : plain English : problem punctuation-- Building confidence.--

Minutes are vital to the success of meetings. Attendees rely on them for information they may have missed, and they serve as an essential communications tool for non-participants. In addition, the action points highlighted in minutes act as a timely reminder for the whole organization. Taking minutes involves listening skills as well as the ability to absorb information and summarize it simultaneously. The minute-taker is one of the most important and powerful people in a meeting. Although the tasks can be daunting, it is an opportunity to develop knowledge, broaden horizons and build credibility within the organization. ; ; Taking Minutes of Meetings is an accessible reference guide following the whole meeting cycle. Starting with organizing a meeting, it goes on to give reliable, hands-on advice about the sections of a meeting; the agenda; personal preparation; taking notes; accuracy; structuring notes; writing up the minutes and recording decisions and actions. It is aimed at anyone new to taking minutes and professionals looking to brush up their technique. ; ; ;