Meeting Minutes Do's and Don'ts

What's supposed to go in the minutes anyhow???

Meeting minutes are a frequent source of confusion and frustration for recording secretaries, but they don't have to be!

In this video we go over a few important minutes "Do's and Don'ts"!

And, as promised, here is the complete list of meeting minutes "Do's and Don'ts" for you...

Professional speaker and coach Susan Leahy MA CSP from www.RobertsRulesMadeSimple.com hopes that you find these DO'S and DONT'S for meeting minutes helpful. Susan is available to provide training for your board!

DO'S:

1. DO use the agenda as a guide;
2. DO record the kind of meeting, date, time, and location;
3. DO record the presiding officer's and the minute taker's complete name;
4. DO record the presence of a quorum if announced by the presiding officer;
5. DO write the full name of the maker of every motion;
6. DO include the totals from the treasurer's report for previous balance, receipts,
disbursements, and current balance;
7. DO record the full names of officers and committee chairs who presented a
report;
8. DO file complete signed reports of all written reports attached to the minutes as
exhibits;
9. DO enter motions and amendments in the exact wording as stated by the
presiding officer and as finally adopted;
10. DO show the exact action taken on every motion (e.g., adopted, defeated,
postponed, referred, laid on the table, etc.);
11. DO record all counted votes, for and against;
12. DO record all Notices, Points of Order, Appeals (including the reason for the
chair's ruling and the outcome of the appeal);
13. DO include the category of business;
14. DO list the names of members elected or appointed to special committees, the
name of each committee, and its purpose;
15. DO include important announcements pertaining to the whole society.

DON'TS:

1. DON'T forget to check past minutes for agenda items;
2. DON'T include the names of the seconders;
3. DON'T include every detail from a report;
4. DON'T include any content of the debate unless ordered to do so;
5. DON'T include any motion withdrawn before the presiding officer stated it;
6. DON'T include personal opinions or descriptive phrases;
7. DON'T include words of praise or criticism from anyone;
8. DON'T forget to include the time of adjournment;
9. DON'T close with "Respectfully submitted,";
10. DON'T forget to date and sign the minutes with your title, adding whether the minutes were later adopted with or without corrections.

Happy meetings!


About Susan Leahy MA CSP
Join the thousands who have simplified their meetings with Susan Leahy MA CSP, founder of RobertsRulesMadeSimple.com. In her live, online classes, Susan teaches the fundamental principles of Robert's Rules of Order to help you run productive and effective meetings without getting bogged down by complicated rules. Whether you need customized training for your board or are planning a board retreat, Susan can work with you directly to help you achieve your goals.

For more information and to sign up for Susan's classes, training or coaching, click the link below. And don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for FREE Robert's Rules of Order content and training!

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