Duration

One day

Suitable for

Individuals who are required to take factual records of meetings and distribute action points or minutes afterwards

Objectives

By the end of the course you will be able to:

• Confidently produce various types of minutes quickly and accurately
• Liaise with the chairperson to prepare agenda and understand how the chair and
  minute takerwork together
• Identify and capture the key points of a discussion
• Learn a speed writing technique that will work for you when taking minutes
• Demonstrate the key features and benefits of active listening when taking notes during meetings

Programme

Introduction & Workshop Objectives

• What are we going to cover?
• What are your priorities?

The 'Effective’ Meeting

• The role of the chairperson, the minute taker and the meeting participants
• Understand the purpose of different types of meetings and the terminology used
• The importance of the agenda
• The purpose and format of the minutes

Methods of Note-Taking

• Techniques: longhand –v- shorthand/speedwriting
• Introduction to mind mapping
• Identifying and capturing key points
• Clarifying points during the meeting

Drafting the Minutes

• Producing minutes that accurately reflect their purpose and are reader-friendly, within an
  acceptable time frame
• Using correct business language and grammar
• Identifying a suitable structure and format
• Awareness of Freedom of Information and Data Protection Acts in relation to minutes
• Capturing Action Points
• Working with the Chair to produce final minutes for circulation

The way forward

• Taking ideas and techniques back to the workplace and putting them into action

Duration (in days)