Form with which the board of directors of a corporation records the contents of its first meeting.
Form with which the board of directors of a corporation records the contents of its first meeting.
Record key points, not every word. As the minute-taker, it's essential to focus on capturing the most critical points discussed during the meeting rather than transcribing everything word for word. Be concise and use bullet points. Meeting minutes should be easy to read and understand quickly.
What to include Meeting date, time and location. Names of the committee or other group holding the meeting, the Chair and Secretary. List of those present, including guests in attendance, and any recorded regrets/absences. A record of formal motions and outcomes.
Minutes should never be a verbatim documentation of every statement made during a board meeting. A document that purports to record every uttered word is a transcript, not “minutes.” Minutes should be concise and informative, but never voluminous.
The person writing the minutes should make them long enough to cover the subject and emphasize that there was deliberation, care and thoughtful discussion, but they should not be so long that they contain extraneous detail - you want your minutes to be both concise and precise.
Keep a basic record of what went on during the meeting. For example: who gave a presentation, did a “discussion ensue,” were “questions asked and answered?” But avoid recording everything.
What information do board meeting minutes contain? Meeting date, time and location. Type of meeting. Names and titles of attendees and guests. Any absent board directors. Quorum. Notes about directors who left early or re-entered the meeting. Board approvals, resolutions and acceptance of reports. Overview of discussions.
The basic features of meeting minutes are the date, time, location and attendees, followed by a record of the board's actions, including brief descriptions of any presentations or topics discussed, specific resolutions adopted, and finally, general resolutions.
Board meeting minutes template Date, time, location. Type of board meeting — regular, special or annual. Attendance of board chair, board members, secretary and other guests. If quorum requirements are satisfied. Approval of previous meeting minutes. Reports and presentations including names and titles of presenter.
Helpful Tips for Taking Board Meeting Minutes Use a template. Check off attendees as they arrive. Do introductions or circulate an attendance list. Record motions, actions, and decisions as they occur. Ask for clarification as necessary. Write clear, brief notes rather than full sentences or verbatim wording.
Board minutes often contain information that is subject to the attorney-client privilege and that directors may prefer to keep confidential. However, most jurisdictions allow stockholders to inspect corporate books and records, including board minutes.