Overview

The workshop focuses on meeting preparation, meeting procedure and practical exercises that will aid you when writing minutes. Hands-on exercises will enable delegates to practice their new skills in listening, note taking and minute writing. These exercises are designed to be highly participative and offer an ideal opportunity for individual feedback. We encourage you to bring a sample of minutes you have produced, to review and refer to at the training.

who should attend?

Everyone who attends meetings, takes or reads minutes.

At the course you will learn

• The objectives of meetings, the various types of meetings and the roles of the people who attend them

• Tips to help you summarise and take down the most important points

• Identify the responsibilities of the minute taker

• Sort out facts

• Be selective in recording information

• Have the confidence to interject for clarity

• Layout information in a style suited to your organisation

• Try out new, tried and tested note-taking techniques.

• Ultimately produce a clear, concise set of minutes.

What will the course cover?

Effective meeting preparation

• Setting meeting goals

• The benefits of an effective Agenda

• Duration and logistics

The objectives of meetings

• Why do we have meetings?

• Various types of meetings - Formal and informal

• Rules of conduct

• The minute book

The role of the minute taker

• Your pre-meeting duties

• The minute taker and the chairperson – working in partnership

• Understanding the participants in a meeting

Listening skills

• The listening process

• Actively listening

• Tips to overcome barriers to listening

• Develop listening skills

Note taking skills

• Different styles and ways to take notes

• Identifying the key points

• Using symbols and abbreviations

Principles of minute taking

• The minutes approval process and its impact

• Impacts of Privacy issues on minute taking

• Structure and styles of minutes

• Action points, time frames and who is responsible

After the meeting

• Making sense of your notes immediately after the meeting

• Are your minutes clear and professional

• Checking for accuracy

• Have the minutes achieved their purpose

What is included?

• A brilliant trainer

• Comprehensive course pack

• Certificate of attendance

• 5 star training venue

• Lunch, teas and refreshments

• Secure Parking and Disabled facilities