Encyclopedia of Leadership

HOW TO USE THIS LEADERSHIP TOOL

“Once approved at the next meeting, the minutes become a record that can help resolve differing interpretations

and remind the leader and others of commitments made.”

—M.M. Milstein, TOWARD MORE EFFECTIVE MEETINGS

Adapt this worksheet to suit your workgroup or team, then practice the discipline of keeping

succinct and accurate meeting minutes.

WEB WORKSHEET

MEETING MINUTES WORKSHEET

360 SECTION 11 TOOLS FORLEADINGMEETINGS

❑ Avoid writing minutes for the purpose of informing those who were not at the meeting. Doing so is not only an

onerous task, it also encourages people not to attend meetings. In addition, it results in long-winded minutes that

people won’t read.

❑ Be open to amending the minutes if meeting participants argue that something different was agreed upon; however,

do not revise them for a minority view. Amendments are best handled by preventative actions: summarizing the

decisions and actions during the meeting, and visibly recording the minutes using a common medium such as a flip

chart or whiteboard.

❑ Write the minutes soon after the meeting and distribute them promptly (within a day or two).

Workgroup/team Meeting purpose

Meeting date _____________________

Start/finish times

_____________________

_____________________

Location _____________________

Chairperson _____________________

Recorder _____________________

Facilitator _____________________

Meeting participants