It's best practice for approving meeting minutes to have the chairperson assume the motion of meeting minute approval. To be approved, the minutes must have unanimous support from board members. Board members should not approve minutes that contain errors.
Many organizations require that the presiding officer and recording secretary sign the minutes once approved, she adds, so it's important to check your bylaws to ensure the proper signatures are included. The minutes should reflect what took place in motions — the action of the board, not the dialogue, says Bowie.
Approve the minutes: Once corrections are complete, the chair asks for a motion to approve the minutes. One member makes the motion, a second member approves it, and the chair calls for a vote. The approval of meeting minutes goes through with a majority vote.
There is no general requirement that board minutes be public – though some countries have laws that they must be available to members. However, not-for-profit organisations earn trust by being open about how they handle the public trust that has been granted to them.
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.
It's possible to approve of meeting minutes through a digital platform. Email is not an ideal method because it is not conducive to group discussion. However, if all board members review and vote to approve the minutes digitally, they can be approved digitally outside of an official or in-person board meeting.
Approving the Minute Minutes do not become official until they are read and approved by formal vote. They should be read by the Secretary at the next regular meeting. The Chair then asks for corrections and additions, and calls for a vote.
They are legally required to include these details: Date, time, and location of the meeting. Record of notice of board meeting provision and acknowledgment. Names of attendees and absentees, including guests. Approval of previous meeting minutes.
The best format for meeting minutes is clear, concise, and easy to read. It should include headings for each topic discussed, bullet points for key decisions and action items, and a consistent layout for easy reference.