Taking Minutes of Meetings: Set the Agenda; Identify What to Note; Write Accurate Minutes (Sunday Times Creating Success)

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. 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 nonparticipants. In addition, the action points highlighted in minutes act as a timely reminder for the whole organization. Taking minutes involves listening skills, the ability to absorb information and to 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.

Minute taking is an important, yet under-rated part of business management. This practical guide explains the functions of minutes, the different styles, how to take them accurately and how to listen and summarise