TN97 How to minute a meeting

These notes were first published on this website in December 2016 and last updated in December 2022

Synopsis

Minutes of a church business meeting need to be accurate, clear and immediate. These notes provide helpful advice to enable all three aims to be achieved. They consist of

• Five reasons for minutes – the key idea is to record decisions not discussions
• Five skills to develop – such as listening and attention to detail
• Five ways to prepare – success is formed before the meeting begins
• Five actions at the meeting – such as being ready to ask for clarification
• Five top tips for production – including a range of simple ideas for great minutes.

The first of these, five reasons for minutes, suggests:

1. All decisions need to be recorded
2. All actions need to be listed
3. Some explanation may need to be given
4. Some information may need to be included
5. Key basics need to be stated.

The Notes also provide an example of how a 45-minute discussion can be minuted well in just a few lines. 

These notes were updated in December 2022 with minor alterations to the layout.