what is minute taking?

[justasking]

Hi, can anyone tell me exactly what "minute taking" is? Thanks.

[CheekyChops]

It's basically when you sit in on a meeting and make notes of everything that is discussed.

These are called minutes and they are usually typed up and distributed to anyone present at the meeting and to anyone else that may have an interest in what was discussed.

[Buenchico]

CC & RM have basically answered your question. I'll just add that different organisations require very different things from their minute-takers

Some minutes just record very basic details. e.g. "It was agreed that a new PC should be purchased".

Some minutes require more formal details: e.g. "Ms Bloggs proposed that a new PC should be purchased. Mr Smith seconded this proposal. Dicussion followed and a vote was taken on the matter. The proposal was approved by 12 votes to 7, with 4 abstentions".

Some organisations require even detail. e.g. " Ms Bloggs proposed that a new PC should be purchased. Mr Porter responded that he thought that the meeting should be dealing with more important matters, but Mr Smith seconded the proposal and the Chairman allowed discussion, prior to a vote. Mr Porter gave the reasons for his proposal, including the slowness of the existing PC and what he considered to be an outdated operating system. Mrs Peters said that it would be better to replace all of the company's computers and switch to an open source operating system but Ms Carter thought this to be totally unnecessary. The Chairman asked that discussion be restricted to the original proposal . . .", etc., etc. (This last type of minute can run to many thousands of words!).

I've taken minutes for lots of organisations including registered charities, limited companies and trade union committees. If you're asked to take the minutes at a meeting, it's important to find out what's actually required from you!

Chris

[Buenchico]

PS: I've just re-read my answer. My minute-taking skills seem to have gone downhill because Ms Bloggs seems to have turned into Mr Porter somewhere in there :-)

Chris