How to Write Minutes for an Agenda

Write meeting mintues to create a suitable agenda.

Meeting minutes are a key part of documentation and establishing a historical record. Good minutes keep a detailed and accurate record of what occurred in the meeting including who said what, the decisions that were made and the issues that were tabled for later. Good notes also determine the action steps or agenda for the group's next meeting.

Instructions

1. Describe the setting of the meeting, including the date and location. List the attendees, if the group is small enough. Otherwise, list the officers of the group and whether they attended the meeting, as well an estimate of the attendance. If an officer missed the meeting, be sure to mark "Absent" next to their name.

2. Outline the topics that were discussed, as well as any decisions. Be as specific as possible and include attributions to the decision makers.

3. Write down any actions and who is responsible for each task. Confirm these assignments with the responsible parties, if possible.

4. Schedule the next meeting.

5. Use the information to create an agenda for the next meeting. Include follow-ups such as any outstanding actions or topics discussed. Confirm the agenda with the officers.

References

• Tips for Writing Meeting Minutes; Tips for Writing; Lynn Gaertner-Johnson; January 2006
• Writing good meeting minutes revisited; Flipping Heck