Form with which the board of directors of a corporation records the contents of its first meeting.
Form with which the board of directors of a corporation records the contents of its first meeting.
The following are some of the common pitfalls or things to avoid when writing the minutes of the meeting: Don't Transcribe Every Word: Not every word should be included. The goal is to keep track of the key points and results only. Avoid Personal Opinions: Minutes should be an objective record of the meeting.
Be Objective: Avoid subjective comments and stick to facts. Use Bullet Points: They help in making the minutes easier to scan. Be Concise: Summarize discussions and decisions without unnecessary detail. Use Clear Language: Avoid jargon unless it's commonly understood by all attendees.
Minutes may vary slightly depending on the state and the organization, but they typically include: Meeting date, time and location. Type of meeting. Names and titles of attendees and guests. Any absent board directors. Quorum. Notes about directors who left early or re-entered the meeting.
2. What should be excluded in the meeting minutes? Avoid switching tenses in your writing. Avoid recording the debate; just record the outcome. Avoid making personal observations or opinions. Avoid verbatim quotes. Avoid letting the meeting move on if you're confused.
The minutes should include the title of the group that is meeting; the date, time, and venue; the names of those in attendance (including staff) and the person recording the minutes; and the agenda.
Personal opinions and comments Meeting minutes should be objective and impartial. Avoid including personal opinions, judgments, or comments made by attendees, as these can skew the record and undermine the credibility of the minutes. Focus on recording objective facts, discussions, and decisions.
Robert's Rules (Section -16) state that “the minutes should contain mainly a record of what was done at the meeting, not what was said by the members.” Minutes are not transcripts of meetings; rather, the document contains a record of actions taken by the body, organized by the meeting's order of business (agenda).
Personal observations or judgmental comments should not be included in meeting minutes. All statements should be as neutral as possible. Avoid writing down everything everyone said. Minutes should be concise and summarize the major points of what happened at the meeting.
Board meeting minutes serve as a record for actions and resolutions. One of the most important tasks for minute taking is to make it clear what assignments, delegations, and deadlines have come out of the meeting to hold board members accountable.
In most cases, the meeting secretary will sign the approved copy of the minutes, while some boards require all present board members to sign the approved minutes.