When properly used, board minutes are an effective instrument for your business. They record the decisions made and also show that the meeting was actually held, but also provide legal documentation in case of litigation. It’s not simple to make effective minutes of board meetings. One mistake could lead to a messy legal battle in your hands.

When you’re writing meeting minutes, a little bit of know-how can go a long ways. It is important to know what information to include, and just as important — what not to. It is essential that a neutral and dispassionate description of the discussion is recorded, with no inflammatory language or personal disagreements. It’s a good idea to keep a note of the meeting, but avoid mentioning the conversations that weren’t listed on the agenda.

The format of the minutes of the board will differ based on the particular organization. However, the primary information is: Attendance (notice who was present, including board members, observers, and guests) the status of quorum, agenda items, the order of business and report presentation, as well as resolutions and votes for dissent. Note whether or not notice was look at here given, any actions taken, as well as the next steps.