In this three part course, Carmen will take you through how learn the art of minute taking.
Course Overview: Learning to Take Minutes
Introduction to Minute Taking
- Purpose and Importance of Minutes: Understand why minutes are a crucial part of meetings and their role in organizational communication.
- Types of Meetings: Overview of different meeting formats (board meetings, committees, workshops) and their specific minute-taking requirements.
Preparing for a Meeting
- Understanding the Agenda: Learn how to interpret meeting agendas and their significance in guiding minute-taking.
- Tools and Equipment: Overview of necessary tools (digital vs. traditional) for effective minute-taking.
The Minute-Taking Process
- Listening Skills: Techniques for active and effective listening to capture key points.
- Note-Taking Strategies: Different methods for note-taking, including shorthand, symbols, and structured outlines.
- Language and Tone: How to use clear and neutral language appropriate for official records.
Writing Minutes
- Formatting Minutes: Standard formats for minutes and how to structure them logically.
- Recording Motions and Decisions: Guidelines for accurately capturing decisions, actions, and resolutions.
- Editing and Proofreading: Tips for refining minutes for clarity, coherence, and conciseness.
After the Meeting
- Approval Process: Understanding the process for review and approval of minutes.
- Distribution and Filing: Best practices for distributing minutes to attendees and storing them for future reference.
Enhancing Your Skills
- Legal and Ethical Considerations: An overview of the legal implications of minutes and maintaining confidentiality.
- Technology in Minute Taking: Introduction to software and apps that can streamline the minute-taking process.
- Continuous Improvement: Strategies for soliciting feedback on your minutes and improving your skills over time.
Special Cases
- Review Special cases, including in camera sessions, Specialist presentations, multi language meetings and more
Additional Resources
- Recommended reading list on effective communication and organizational skills.
- Access to templates and examples of well-written minutes.
- Forum or community access for ongoing support and knowledge sharing.
