Minute Taking.

Course Outline
Minute taking is an essential skill in the workplace today, and good quality minute taking is an asset in great demand. Many people struggle with minute taking simply because they have not been given the tools and confidence to do it. And yet, there is often pressure on the minutetaker to get it right - to produce a clear and concise document that serves as an official record. This course will instruct delegates in a range of skills and techniques to enable them to take, to write up and to present minutes more effectively and confidently. No prior experience is necessary - we will give you the opportunity to practice your new skills, and we'll show you how to take the pain out of minute taking! It is particularly recommended for anyone required to take formal minutes or notes at meetings - whether they are a beginner, or an 'old-hand' who would like to increase their confidence and skills.

Key Aims:
• To enable delegates to develop confidence and skills to produce clear and concise minutes in a wide range of situations
• To focus on key issues and challenges relating to minute taking, such as: listening and writing at the same time, ensuring clarity and impact, and using common minute taking conventions and layouts
• To introduce powerful and flexible tools and techniques for effectively taking and presenting minutes, whatever the participants’ previous experience or circumstances
• To facilitate the development of strategies for improving delegates’ ongoing personal development
• To cover essential topics in a relatively short time, whilst ensuring an immediate impact

Key Benefits:
Participants will learn how to:
• Write minutes in a more ordered and logical way
• Develop skills in speedwriting
• Develop tools for effectively recording speech
• Become more efficient and confident at minute taking
• Assimilate information in order to write up minutes with ease
• Present minutes in a clear and understandable format

The organisation will:
• Improve internal communication
• Increase the quality of professional records of meetings
• Reduce the time taken to clarify information
• Save time and money by minimising misunderstandings, and by presenting accurate, easy to read documents

Outline Programme:
• Why take minutes? – Minutes are a record of a meeting but why are they necessary? This module increases understanding by examining the role and function of minutes.
• Preparation for minute taking - There are a number of things that can happen before a meeting that will help the minute taking to be less stressful. This module examines what these are and how they can be used.
• Templates for minutes - There is a selection of useful templates that can be used when recording speech, this module examines some of these.
• Methods of note taking – including speedwriting – Improving speedwriting techniques can alleviate the pressure in fast moving meetings. Participants will be taught the basics and have the opportunity to try it out.
• Listening, understanding and writing – It is not always the case that minute takers will understand fully the content of a meeting. This session examines how to make sense of the process and not get worried about the lack of understanding of the content.
• Identifying and selecting the main points - A practical exercise which enables participants to practice selecting the main points of a discussion or meeting.
• Standard formats and styles – This module looks at the elements of formats and styles. Some organisations have a house style for minute taking, and this would be an opportunity to practice looking at this and using it to write up notes or minutes.
• Comprehension – There are numerous standard phrases and words that are common to minute taking. This session looks at these and examines a range of words and phrases that can be used in order to be more precise with meanings and avoid repetition.
• Minute taking practice – This minute taking session gives participants an opportunity to practice using the minute taking skills developed on the course so far.
• Writing up minutes practice – Following on from the previous session, this module allows participants to practice writing up a set of minutes, using some of the skills learnt so far.
• Personal development planning – extending learning back into the workplace