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Minute Taking at Meetings

Jane Watson

And you'll take the minutes.

This is a statement that often sends fear into the minds of meeting attendees. Why? Because too many people consider the role boring, stressful, and non-important.

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And you'll take the minutes.

This is a statement that often sends fear into the minds of meeting attendees. Why? Because too many people consider the role boring, stressful, and non-important.

This three-hour Minute Taking course: How to Take Minutes at Meetings will change your mind.

I have been involved in the meeting process both as a minute taker and as a chair for many years.

In fact, I have written one of the first books exclusively on minute taking The Minute Takers Handbook now in its 4th reprint. Since then I have taught minute taking to all sorts of groups. And I have learned even more techniques to help you.

Whether you are taking minutes for boards, committees, weekly meetings, volunteer groups or your condo association, this workshop will make you more confident and enable you to produce professional minutes.

Take this ultimate Minute Taking course right now and learn how to take minutes at meetings.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • After this workshop, you'll be able to:
  • Determine what to record and what to ignore
  • Understand how privacy legislation impacts minutes
  • Convey information in succinct, effective sentences
  • Organize yourself before, during and after the meeting
  • Watch for the hidden variables

Syllabus

Introduction
Outines the ingredients for a successful meeting and describes how the course is laid out.
What Every Minute Taker Needs to Know
Read more
Outlines the qualities of a professional minute taker and explains the relationship with the chair.

Uses the definition of minutes to start outlining what the minute taker should record during a meeting.

Describes the impact of freedom of iInformation on minutes for both formal and informal meetings.
Explains the tools the minute taker should use to make the recording process easier.
Enter Quiz Information
Organizational Tips

Demonstrates how a detailed agenda will assist the minute taker and offers suggestions for preparing agendas for formal and semi-formal meetings.

Discusses how to handle the consent agenda when preparing minutes for formal meetings.
Provides suggestions for the minute taker before the meeting.
Discusses the various tools the minute taker could use -- short hand, long hand, lap top, and recording devices -- and also provides advice on how to handlce corrections to minutes.
Reviews the responsibilities of the minute taker after the meeting.
Enter Quiz Information
What to Include/What to Ignore

Outlines the details that should be recorded in the headers of formal, informal and action minutes.

Details what should be included in minutes and what should be omitted.

Discusses motions and resolutions for formal meetings and provides examples of how they are written.

This exercise contains five excerpts from minutes. Participants are asked to review the excerpts and note the details that should not have been included.

Critiques the minute excerpts in the previous exercise and provides better ways of writing the information.

Writing Tips

Lists words that should be avoided and provides guidelines to help you avoid some of the most common grammar errors in minutes.

This exercise should be downloaded and completed before the next lecture. The exercise involves nine statements from minutes that should be rewritten. It will test your ability to write clearly and concisely and to ensure "the loop" is closed.

Analyzes the sentences provided in the previous exercise and suggests better ways of writing the information.

Additional Aids
Points out the behind-the-scene activities and the behavioural styles of your members that may impact your meetings and minutes 
Explains why you tend to lose track of information in meetings and offers some suggestions for keeping yourself alert.
Handouts

Enter Quiz Information

Guidelines for a Note Taker

Provides a summary of the entire course that you can download for your personal reference. Happy minute taking!

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops professional skills in minute taking, which is highly relevant to administrative and clerical fields
Designed for beginners, this course establishes a solid foundation in minute taking for those with little to no experience
Teaches the essential principles of minute taking, including what to include and what to omit, leading to more efficient and accurate documentation
Facilitated by Jane Watson, an expert in minute taking with decades of experience and recognized for her work in the field
Offers practical guidance and hands-on exercises to reinforce learning, making the content easily applicable to real-world scenarios
Comparatively short in duration, requiring a three-hour investment, making it a suitable option for busy professionals with limited time

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Reviews summary

Minute taking at meetings

According to students, this course on minute taking is highly rated with one student saying "You can always learn some great tidbits and form new habits." Students seem to be satisfied with this course.

Career center

Learners who complete Minute Taking at Meetings will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Administrative Assistant
Minute taking requires thorough documentation, organization, and an ability to write clear, concise sentences. Administrative Assistants use these skills every day to support their teams and manage their schedules. A course covering these areas will help you enter this field and learn skills that will help you be successful in this role.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts gather and document requirements in order to suggest changes to business processes. Their work relies on clear communication and the ability to analyze a situation to determine the most effective course of action. This course can help you master the key skills needed to succeed in this role and may give you an advantage as you enter or advance in this field.
Consultant
Consultants work with a variety of clients on a variety of projects, so the ability to quickly grasp new information and communicate effectively is essential. This course will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. It covers topics like taking accurate notes, organizing meetings, and drafting reports, skills that will help you succeed as a consultant.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts need to be able to understand and organize complex information to identify trends and patterns. This course will help you develop these skills and may give you an advantage as you enter or advance in this growing field.
Executive Assistant
Executive Assistants manage all aspects of an executive's schedule and business life, and a key part of that is taking notes during meetings and writing reports. This course will teach you the skills you need to execute these tasks and be successful in this role.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts need to be able to gather, organize, and analyze complex quantitative information to make recommendations to their clients and company leadership. This course may help you enter or advance in this field by teaching you how to take accurate notes and interpret data.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers are responsible for all aspects of managing an organization's workforce, and a significant portion of their job involves creating and maintaining documentation. This course will help you master the essential skills you need to succeed in this role.
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts must be able to gather and organize sensitive information in order to secure their clients' networks and assets. This course may help you enter or advance in this field by teaching you about the importance of data privacy and information security.
Legal Assistant
Legal Assistants support attorneys with a variety of tasks, including taking notes during depositions and hearings, and summarizing complex legal documents. This course will help you develop the skills needed for these responsibilities in this role.
Meeting Planner
Meeting Planners are responsible for planning, coordinating, and running a variety of meetings, and a critical part of that is taking accurate notes and distributing them to attendees. This course may assist you in this role by teaching you how to take notes efficiently and write clear, concise reports.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of an organization, which often involves documenting processes and procedures. This course will teach you how to create and maintain accurate records, which will help you be successful in this role.
Paralegal
Paralegals work under the supervision of attorneys and are responsible for a variety of legal tasks, including taking notes during depositions and hearings. This course will help you develop the skills needed for these responsibilities.
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. A significant part of this involves documenting project plans, progress updates, and meeting minutes. This course may help you enter or advance in this field by providing instruction in how to take accurate notes and create clear, concise reports.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create documentation to help users understand and use a product or service. A critical aspect of this job is the ability to understand a subject matter, analyze needs, and write clearly and accurately. This course may help you enter or advance in this field by providing instruction in note-taking, organization, and writing.
Training and Development Manager
Training and Development Managers create and deliver training programs, which often involves writing and revising course materials. This course may help you gain a strong foundation in these skills. It teaches you how to organize and present information in a clear and concise manner.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Minute Taking at Meetings.
Written by one of the instructors of the course, this book comprehensive guide to minute taking. It covers all aspects of the role, from the basics to more advanced topics.
Is the definitive guide to parliamentary procedure. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to learn how to run meetings effectively.
Provides a comprehensive guide to meeting facilitation. It covers everything from the basics of facilitation to more advanced topics such as dealing with conflict and group dynamics.
Explores the history and evolution of meetings. It discusses the different types of meetings, the purpose of each type, and how to design and facilitate meetings that are effective and engaging.
Provides a framework for understanding the role of meetings in organizations. It discusses the different types of meetings, the purpose of each type, and how to plan and conduct effective meetings.
Challenges traditional thinking about meetings and provides practical advice on how to make meetings more productive and engaging. It great read for anyone who wants to learn how to create and facilitate better meetings.
Fable about a team that is struggling to function effectively. It identifies the five dysfunctions that can prevent a team from achieving its goals and provides practical advice on how to overcome these dysfunctions.
This workbook provides a variety of exercises and activities to help you improve your meeting skills. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to plan, lead, and participate in effective meetings.
Provides a practical guide to planning and conducting successful meetings. It covers everything from the basics to more advanced topics such as managing conflict and fostering collaboration.

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