The minutes of board meetings are the official record of the board’s decisions and actions. They are important for a variety reasons, such as governance policies, legal implications, and even accountability. They must be precise, clear and simple to read.
Making your minutes as clear and concise as you can will ensure that you remain focused on the important discussions, decision-making, and actions while also refraining from lengthy jargon. This is particularly useful for boards that have limited resources and strict deadlines.
The format or structure of your minute books can differ depending on your company’s needs as well as the culture and style of your organization However, a few standard elements are crucial to consider when taking these minutes. These are the most important points to consider:
Time and date of the meeting: Recording clearly the time and date of the board meeting will make it easier for future readers to comprehend what transpired. It’s also recommended to record the nature of the meeting (whether regular, special, or annual).
Content: Review the information in the minutes to ensure that they accurately reflect what occurred during the meeting. Look for any errors or omissions as well as cross-reference the information to other documents. Also, make sure whether all actions agreed upon and follow-up tasks are recorded in the minutes. This includes any follow-ups or actions that were discussed in executive sessions (private or behind closed doors portions of the meeting in which sensitive topics like allegations of misconduct and personnel issues or financial issues with auditors are discussed). These conversations should be documented in the minutes of closed sessions and not included in the main https://www.aboutboardroom.com body of minutes of board meetings.