Nobody looks forward to taking minutes at meetings. It’s a particularly joyless task, but until somebody develops a whizzy app that will do the job perfectly, it still has to be done. Here are a few tips to make the life of a successful minute-taker a little bit easier. 

• Make sure you have a good pen or pencil, plenty of paper and are ready to listen.
• Consider recording the meeting if there is likely to be a lot of detail or numerous participants.

• What does the chairperson want you to produce? Highly detailed notes, or a simple overview? Read through the minutes of previous meetings.
• Understand how the Chairperson plans to structure the meeting.

• Sit close to the Chairperson and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if a point isn’t clear to you.

• Review the minutes with the Chairperson before distribution to those present to pick up any errors or clarify a point.

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