Why is this so important?
What should I do?
Develop a relationship with the Chair of the meeting: A good chair will work with the minute taker, but all too often they don’t help the minute taker at all. There should be a mode of communication established between the Chair and Minute Taker to ensure that you are clear on the main point as you move on.
Develop an agenda and a plan of the meeting: Ensure that you have a structure to the meeting on an agenda. This is the basis of ensuring the meeting runs to schedule and keeps to the point. However, you can use it to summarise your minutes to the key important points.
Research: You must research everything in the meeting fully. So any new subject matter, the background of the meeting and any other items need full understanding and research to get to grips with any discussion before the meeting. It is a great confidence builder if you are feeling uncertain.
Establish yourself in the meeting room: Make sure that you are visible in the meeting and have a presence so that people ensure that they interact with you and ensure that you get the important points.
Minute Taking Skills
Minute Takers have many key skills. This gives you more of a focus on how to prepare and conduct yourself in the meeting. Find out more about Minute Taking on this page.