Developing Potential Australia

Minutes & agendas made easy

Full day

Effective minutes and agendas can greatly improve the effectiveness of a meeting.

This enjoyable course is packed with examples, exercises and video case studies.

Before the meeting

• What are the responsibilities of the chairperson, minute-taker and participants?
• What must go in the agenda?
• Keeping the agenda concise but still helpful to participants
• The standard elements of an agenda - what can be prepared in advance?
• Agreeing procedures and protocols with the chairperson

During the meeting

• Simple structures for recording essential information
• Listening: how to stay focused
• Summarising discussions quickly and accurately
• The rules for recording formal motions and amendments
• The 3 steps for confidently and politely confirming details during the meeting

After the meeting

• Clarifying words and phrases with people at the meeting
• When should the minutes be written?
• Who can make changes to the minutes before they are circulated?
• Who approves the minutes?

What is plain English?

• Using everyday terms for everyday ideas
• Ensuring the minutes accurately reflect what was said at the meeting

Writing clear and concise minutes

• Who will read the minutes?
• Choosing the right structure
• Structuring sentences in the active voice instead of the passive
• Converting nominalizations back into vigorous verbs
• Editing to eliminate unnecessary formality and padding
• Presenting the minutes clearly and professionally

Download PDF version.