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.
Who Should Take Minutes at a Board Meeting? Any board member can take board meeting minutes, although it is typically the responsibility of the board secretary.
The minutes are a factual record of business. Do not include: Opinions or judgments: Leave out statements like "a well done report" or "a heated discussion." Criticism or accolades: Criticism of members, good or bad, should not be included unless it takes the form of an official motion.
Robert's Rules (Section -16) state that “the minutes should contain mainly a record of what was done at the meeting, not what was said by the members.” Minutes are not transcripts of meetings; rather, the document contains a record of actions taken by the body, organized by the meeting's order of business (agenda).
The minutes should include the point that was discussed and the decision that was reached. Avoid making personal observations or opinions. Don't make your own comments. Stick to just the facts.
Personal remarks don't belong. It is a big mistake to include personal opinions in the minutes. The writer must not editorialize, and members' personal remarks should not be included.
Are board meeting minutes confidential? Yes. The board should assume the minutes are confidential and, in most cases, they will remain so.
What Should Not be Included in Meeting Minutes? Personal opinions and comments. Excessive detail. Tangential conversations. Verbal exchanges or arguments. Unconfirmed information. Confidential or sensitive information. Off-the-record remarks. Meeting details.
Corporate meeting minutes typically include: The meeting's date, time and location. A list of attendees and absentees, including any present board members or officers. Agenda items. Summaries of all discussion points. Details of all activities completed or agreed upon. Results of any votes or motions.
Nonprofit leaders should avoid any secretively made recordings, whether actual or perceived. Tip: For events that involve some individuals meeting in person, do not assume everyone sees a camera and understands why it is present.
Nonprofit board meeting minutes are generally not automatically made public, but the accessibility of these minutes depends on various factors, including the organization's policies, legal requirements, and state laws.