Taking meeting minutes - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

llama8 · 05-25-2004, 10:30 AM

Well next week I need to take minutes for a committee meeting as I have managed a 'promotion' to Vice-Chair and this is one of my new duties.

I have never done this before and just wondered if anyone has any useful tips?

I'm sure it is going to be one of those things which is simple if you know the easy way to do it!

WarWagon · 05-25-2004, 10:43 AM

This was the advice I got from a former professor.

-Write down who's there.
-Listen and write down a few words from each person.
-Don't let the topic change until you have closure on what's being discussed. If there is a decision to be made, make sure that its agreed upon, and write down the decision made.
-When summarizing afterwards, make sure that the summaries stand out from the rest of the minutes.

rsl12 · 05-25-2004, 12:01 PM

practice is the key. you will probably mess up the first few times--hopefully the meetings aren't that important.

DEFINITELY make sure there is an agenda for the meeting. Even if people get off topic, you can generally rearrange the chronological order of the minutes into the nice agenda format. Come up with initials for all the people at the meeting, even if you don't know their names (blue hat, bh, something like that). if you can type your minutes on a laptop or pda, you're in much better shape as well. also, don't be afraid to ask people to repeat what was said or summarize what was said if you don't get something or you daydream for a sec.

llama8 · 05-25-2004, 12:14 PM

Luckily the AGM isn't for another year!

I've seen many people take minutes before and it doesn't look overly difficult but as I've never done it before I just don't want to make too much of a cock up!

Many thanks for your hints I'll take them on board!

05-25-2004, 10:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
llama8 Crazy Location: Leicester, UK	Taking meeting minutes Well next week I need to take minutes for a committee meeting as I have managed a 'promotion' to Vice-Chair and this is one of my new duties. I have never done this before and just wondered if anyone has any useful tips? I'm sure it is going to be one of those things which is simple if you know the easy way to do it!

05-25-2004, 12:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
rsl12 On the lam Location: northern va	practice is the key. you will probably mess up the first few times--hopefully the meetings aren't that important. DEFINITELY make sure there is an agenda for the meeting. Even if people get off topic, you can generally rearrange the chronological order of the minutes into the nice agenda format. Come up with initials for all the people at the meeting, even if you don't know their names (blue hat, bh, something like that). if you can type your minutes on a laptop or pda, you're in much better shape as well. also, don't be afraid to ask people to repeat what was said or summarize what was said if you don't get something or you daydream for a sec. __________________ oh baby oh baby, i like gravy.

05-25-2004, 10:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
WarWagon Loser	This was the advice I got from a former professor. -Write down who's there. -Listen and write down a few words from each person. -Don't let the topic change until you have closure on what's being discussed. If there is a decision to be made, make sure that its agreed upon, and write down the decision made. -When summarizing afterwards, make sure that the summaries stand out from the rest of the minutes.

05-25-2004, 12:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
llama8 Crazy Location: Leicester, UK	Luckily the AGM isn't for another year! I've seen many people take minutes before and it doesn't look overly difficult but as I've never done it before I just don't want to make too much of a cock up! Many thanks for your hints I'll take them on board!