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{ 83 comments… read them below or add one }
I look forward to receiving a copy of your sample minutes. Wordiness seems to be a problem when taking meeting minutes; I’m no exception. Thank You.
I normally record the call or meeting and at the same time take written notes. I type up the written notes and skim through the recording to make sure I didn’t leave any of the key items out. I think meeting minutes is probably a pain for most of us and something that has to capture the important items as this become a permanent part of a file.
I would really like to see a sampole of your minutes.
Thanks/Hannah
I would like a copy of your minutes. Thanks.
I’m always looking for ways to improve.
I recently learned about STAR, which stands for describe the SITUATION or identify the TASK, explain the ACTION taken, discuss the RESULTS. Minutes should be a summary of what took place at the meeting, not verbatim of what was said.
Hi everyone,
One aspect of taking minutes is listening and reading closely. Terri has asked numerous times for those that wants his minutes format and the workshop link to e-mail him at his work and gave his e-mail address, yet people continue to ask for it here instead of e-mailing him. Take the time to do as requested instead of taking the easy way out for you. Terri, you are being very generous and patient. Those are very good traits for a worker.
Hi Terri,
I am also interested in a copy of your minutes and the workshop you attended. Thank you.
I would also like a copy of the template you use.
Thanks,
Could you please email me a copy of your template you use for meeting minutes.
Thank you,
Diana
Please send me a copy of your format for meeting minutes.
Thank you,
Diana
Hello Terri, can you send me a copy of your minutes? I also find it difficult to take everything down, and sometimes miss writing down key points.
Thanks!
Would love to see a copy of your minutes
Everyone who is having problems with emailing Terri. Try removing the space from pa.us If you look closely you will see one of her email address was typed in wrong and if you did as I did you copied and pasted.
Terri, I’ve tried to email you and it comes back, System Administrator Undeliverable. Is there another email address I can use?
Thanks in advance.
Yes, please! Could you send me a copy of your minutes format?
Thank you,
Terri, I just got a chance to read the latest AdminPro Forum. Can you please send me the sample format you use as well as the link for the workshop and any other information that you feel I may find helpful. I take minutes only once a year and it covers so many topics that I too get very wordy for fear I may miss an important issue. Obviously I am not very proficient at this skill since I do it infrequently but would definitely like to improve on it even if it is once a year. I am sending a separate email with this request.
Thank you so much for your input,
Hello Terri,
I would love to see a copy of your minutes too.
Terri:
Could you send me a copy also kimberly.hunter@baesystems.com Thanks!
Terri, I would like to have a copy of the minutes! Would you please email them to me?
Hello Terri
i have attempted to email you but the address is undeliverable, could you please confirm your email so that i may get a copy of your minute format.
please send me a copy of your minutes
I too would like a copy of your minutes. Thanks!
Dear Terri,
Please send me the link to the seminar that you speak about. My e-mail address is areynolds@me.vccs.edu.
Thank You,
Angelia
Hello Terry, Could you please send me a copy of your minutes. I could really use some help. Thank you so much!!!
Hi Terri,
Would you please send me a copy of your minutes and the name of the conference you attended?
Thanks!
dalbert@nemours.org
Terry, Please send me a copy of your minutes. Thank you.
Hi Terri: I would like a copy of your minutes also. Thanks so much.
Hi Terri,
I would like a copy of your minutes also. I take dictation notes from my boss and this format may be very helpful in this process.
Thanks Joan
Yolanda,
The book I usually refer to is “Taking Minutes of Meetings” by Joanna Gutmann. There are several books on the topic – go to Amazon.com and search. This book has several examples and you can choose which style works best for you and your organization. I found this book so helpful and I still refer to it from time to time when I need to add something new to my minutes. It’s a small paperback so it’s handy to have right at your desk. I hope you find this helpful.
Taking Minutes of Meetings by Joanna Gutmann – good book, gives lots of sample minutes and ideas so you can pick what works best for you and your organization.
Bonnie,
“Taking Minutes of Meetings” by Joanna Gutmann Second Edition. It’s been a valuable tool. Gives samples of several ways to type up minutes. Good luck.
Please email template and link. Thanks Sandra
Rhonda,
Please email your template to me.
Thank you.
Thanks Terri. I just read your email which included the name of the class. Many thanks.
Please email me a copy of your minutes. I would love to see how I can make my minutes less wordy. Also what was the name of the conference that you attended?
Sounds like a lot of us have the same issues. I would like a copy of your format as well as the information on the workshop you went to. Thanks.
I would appreciate receiving a copy of your minutes also. Thanks
Rose Please send to rtapia@luna.edu
Terri,
Can you send me a copy of your minutes? I take minutes for trustees also on my laptop and they always seem wordy. Thanks.
I too would like the names of the books you refer to.
Thank you.
I would love to see a copy of your minutes. I do minutes for 2 Boards plus employee staff meetings (4-5 sets of minutes a month plus special meetings). Meetings are lengthy. I would really appreciate learnign a better way.
I may need to learn to take minutes sometime very soon, so there is no time like the present to start. Could I have also have a copy of your minutes and seminar info? Also, the template that was mentioned would be helpful as well.
If anyone can send me a copy of their minutes.. at mserrano@buckner.org
Terri, I would like to get a copy of your minutes also. I have tried to pare down on my minutes, but my previous background called for detailed minutes, and I still find it a bit challenging. Thank you for sharing your skills with us.
I would love to receive a copy of your minutes…since mine also seemed to be too wordy…
I would love to see a sample too if you don’t mind – thank you.
Haven’t read other replies so this may be a repeat, but have you looked at Robert’s Rules of Order? Minutes should contain mainly a record of what was done at the meeting, not what was said by the members. They should never reflect the secretary’s opinion. The bylaws of your organization may also influence your minute-taking.
Terri
I would love to see a copy of your minutes. Also, what do you do for follow up and action items?
Thanks
Linda
Terri, Could I please have a copy as well. I have been looking for a minutes workshop but none have been in my area (Pittsburgh)
Thanks,
Liz
eloizzo@franciscan.edu
I took the Rhonda Scharf course and unlike other workshops, which I feel have been a waste of time, this one was highly enjoyable, information and worth the time and money.
I have a format set up for minutes that I type that simplifies taking minutes. I take my laptop with me to meetings to fill in the blanks. After the meeting all I need to do is to clean up my minutes and I am finished.
I am new to taking minutes. Could you please email me a copy of your format also.
Would you please be so kind as to email me a copy of your minutes also? Thank you so much!
Terri , I would also like a copy of your minutes. Please send to the noted email. Thanks, Gra
Terri, I’d truly appreciate a copy of your minutes. Many thanks.
I looked for it on Google and found several with the same name. Did you take the Rhonda Scharf course or was it a different seminar?
Ruth, I would also love to know the names of the books that you mention. Thank you for the great info.
Please send me the seminar information and a copy of your meeting minutes. My email address is idalianunez@hotmail.com.
Our staff meetings tend to be informal. I bold names and create short, concise paragraphs to serve as a record of what transpired at the meeting. Action items are bolded also. I use bullets where appropriate. My goal is to have people read the minutes from start to finish without stopping wonder: what did she mean by that? and nobody has ever told me that I’m too “wordy”. I would also like to receive the minutes formats described above & I request them electornically.
Please send me a copy of your minutes.
Terri,
I will be taking minutes in a meeting next month and would love to see a copy of your minutes.
Thanks!
I was told I was capturing too much detail in my minutes. Instead, I focused on action items and the reason for the action. Everyone liked that format better.
Susan,
It was called “Minute Taking Made Easy” – if you would like to receive a copy of my minute format please email me at michaelt@co.lancaster.pa.us
Thanks
Kathy,
If you have not already can you contact me at the email listed below and I will be more than happy to send that to you:
michaelt@co.lancaster.pa.us
Debbie,
Please email me at my work email address and I can provide you with the information: michaelt@co.lancaster.pa.us
Thanks
Anne,
Please email me at my work email and I can provide you with a sample – michaelt@co.lancaster.pa.us
Issa, Please email me at the noted email address in my reply to Rachel if you have not already. Thanks
For all those that have requested a sample of the minute format I now use after the class please contact me at my work email and I will be more than happy to send you a sample. I can also send you the link of the workshop I took and the contents of the workshop, if interested. My work email is michaelt@co.lancaster.pa.us
Thanks Terri
Hi, Terri, I would also like a copy of your minutes. What was the name of the course that you took?
Thanks
Please also send me a copy of the minutes.
Thank you
Kathy Allen
Terri, I would also like to get a copy of your minutes. Please send to connie.weddell@cnent.com. And thanks for the tips. This was very helpful to me! :)
Could you send me the names of the books that you refer to?
What was the workshop that you attended? Was it something local, or a group that puts on workshops throughout the country? I would love a copy of your minutes.
Terri,
I too would like a copy of your format. Thanks.
I too would like to see a copy of your minutes since I do sit in a few committees and take a fair amount of minutes. Have grappled with what is the best way to go about this for awhile now. Thanks much.
I learned in a seminar I went to two things that I use every week in meeting minutes. First, bold the names of people throughout the minutes. And, as others have stated, make action items stand out (I use the shading feature for that. Both of these makes it easier to refer back to something from the minutes and helps someone see what they need to see if they are just skimming them.
I am wondering if you could send me your template. Sounds like an
efficient way to organize the minutes and to-do items.
Thanks
Hello Terri, can you send me a copy of your minutes? I also find it difficult to take everything down, and sometimes miss writing down key points.
Thanks!
Rachel, I use a table insert with 3 columns I use the same template for all the committees that are associated with our business. It is clean and easy to follow. One thing I have to keep in mind is: They just want the bullet points for history. Hope this helps. I would be happy to email you the template. My email address is rgolden@fwphil.org.
Minutes are used only to capture the main ideas and Action Items. There are several books out that explain the proper way to take minutes and several formats. The minutes should “get to the point” and not be too lengthy so the reader can get the idea at a glance. Action Items should be called out in the minutes. AI: Name of person responsible for the action item, date due or target date, brief description of the item. Example:
AI: Due 03-13-09 SMITH Condensed budget report
AI: Due 03-30-09 JONES Summer picnic venue, date, time finalized
The AIs can appear on the side or under each topic following the same order as your main agenda.
This comes with practice. The bullet points are a great way to condense thoughts or ideas. Good Luck!!
I make it a habit to use the bullet point format; even when sharing instructional information via email, note, letters, etc. As you can see, bullet points:
* are easy on the eye
* lessen wordiness
* aid in being concise
* help get you to the point quicker
I change any notes that are action items to green. This highlights the most important pieces of the minutes and is a common practice with project managers. If you can get the meeting facilitator to work with you on this issue you will get the best results. The issue is most likely that the meeting attenders are not controlled by a facilitator and are allowed to ramble on endlessly and change the topic without informing the notetaker. I guarantee if the meeting stayed on topic, your minutes would not be too wordy. If you do not get support with this, just know that you are not alone, and don’t be afraid to cut out details when you edit the document. I agree with Theresa that bullets work great, and don’t be afraid to organize the material in a different order than it was presented.
Rachel, I actually found a minutes workshop and took it. Mine were too wordy and too long. It was the best course ever! I have learned to use keywords while taking minutes and then summarize. I use a lot of bullets, and my sentences do not include “Mr. Smith said” I can send you a copy of my minutes if you want so you can see what format I use and just adjust for your meetings if needed. I also have one suggestion to you or anyone else reading this – I use a laptop during the meeting, again using keywords and adjusting things from the agenda if the members don’t follow the A, B C set up. It is the BEST and saves me so much time! My board and staff have commented on how friendly, easy to read and fast it is to skim the minutes since I adjusted the set up and less wordy. Let me know if you want me to send you a copy of my minutes (michaelt@co.lancaster.pa.us) I will gladly do so.
Try using the “bullet” format. Cuts down on the amount of words you are using, yet still gets the point across.