Course Outcomes

This virtual course for minute takers will:

  • Share best practices for taking formal minutes and informal notes.
  • Review technology tools that can help make the minute-taking process easier.
  • Provide opportunities for participants to practice taking minutes.
  • Offer writing tips to improve clarity.

Course Overview

This virtual classroom course comprises two 90-minute to 2-hour sessions. The program addresses the essentials of minute taking. Session one focuses on the mechanics of strong minutes. The second session addresses writing and tips and tricks for generating easy-to-read notes.

Session One: Note-Taking Fundamentals

Determining what’s important to document is half the battle for minute takers. This session segment covers the purpose of minutes, different types of minutes, the level of detail minute takers should record, the importance of remaining neutral, tools for clarifying what’s said, and tips and tricks for leveraging technology and old-fashioned tools. Upon request, the facilitator will review samples of the organization’s minutes and provide feedback for improving them.

Segment Objectives

At this segment’s conclusion, participants should be able to:

  • Describe different types of minutes.
  • Discuss elements that should be included in minutes.
  • Use the ANT model.
  • Avoid listening traps.
  • Hear clues to ideas of importance in the words speakers choose.
  • Use abbreviations effectively.
  • Capture the essence of a meeting.
Segment Modules
  • The Basics: Models, Pitfalls, and Objectives
  • The ANT Model: Accurate, Neutral, Timely
  • Listening Skills: Staying Focused
  • Note Taking Know-How: Choosing What Works
  • Homework: Template Time
Homework
  • Create a minute-taking template.

Session Two: Writing for Clarity

The second segment of this course opens with a review of the homework assignment. The facilitator will address the importance of a consistent template and actions minute takers can take to make the task of capturing accurate minutes easier. Following that discussion, the participants will discuss best practices for writing in plain language and producing texts their readers can quickly digest.

Segment Objectives

At this segment’s conclusion, participants should be able to:

  • Avoid common grammatical and punctuation errors.
  • Leverage best practices for writing in plain language.
  • Edit minutes for brevity and clarity.
Segment Modules
  • Concept Review: Taking Another Look
  • Confused Words: Avoiding Mix-ups 
  • Pronoun Power: Cracking the Code
  • Perfect Punctuation: Clarity Counts
  • Active Voice: Assigning Ownership
  • Minute Evaluation: Judging Effectiveness
  • Practice: Another Round

By the conclusion of this web-based program, participants should understand the fundamentals of taking clear and concise minutes.