Minutes: taking and writing effective minutes - two day

Course summary

All organisations need minutes. They are essential if teams, committees and boards are to have a clear record of the decisions they have made and the actions required. Effective minute taking is a must for the efficient organisation and a good minute taker can transform the effectiveness of a team.

This two day training course provides lots of practical work in taking meeting minutes. We will give you plenty of exercises to sharpen up your skills and practice the essential elements of minute-taking. This course is ideal for those who learn better through practice and experience as well as those who are new to minute taking.




Course outline

This two day training course will give you the skills and confidence you need to take meeting minutes that are valued and respected. Over the two days you will cover:

• the purpose and use of minutes
• preparation for taking minutes
• the special rules of grammar and language for minutes
• some useful terminology and how to use it
• minuting presentations and information briefings
• the difference between informal and formal minutes and notes
• what minutes should include and what should be left out
• minute taking practice
• the tasks of the effective minute taker
• the role of the chair and how to work with your chair
• effective listening
• tips and tricks for note-taking
• minutes and The Freedom of Information Act

There are a number of practical exercises including some real life opportunities to practise taking minutes.
"A wonderful two-day workshop. It was thoroughly enjoyed, and I learned a lot which I have already successfully and appropriately in my work. Thank you."
≈ AG, National Council for Drama Training
"I enjoyed the course and learnt a lot. I was pleased that all my objectives were met." JK, Hexagon Housing Association


Who is this course for?

This training course will be useful to anyone who has to take minutes as part of their work. Whether you are asked to minute the occasional team meeting or are responsible for minuting formal Board meetings, this course will have something for you.


What will this course help me do: learning outcomes?

This minutes training will give you the skills and confidence to work effectively with the chair, and take minutes that provide a succinct and useful record of a meeting and accurately highlight decisions taken and actions agreed. It will also give you useful underpinning knowledge on, for example, the Freedom of Information Act.