Administration & secretarial · Short course
Minute Taking Skills
Recording meeting decisions, key discussion points and agreed actions accurately.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Recording meeting decisions, key discussion points and agreed actions accurately.
The programme brings together preparation, active listening, minute drafting and finalising minutes. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: A committee’s minutes contain lengthy discussion but omit who must act on its decisions. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Secretaries, administrators and committee support staff.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Prepare for a fictional meeting using its agenda and supporting papers.
- Identify decisions, actions and material discussion points from a sample transcript.
- Draft concise neutral minutes with clear responsibilities.
- Review the minutes for accuracy before approval and circulation.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Preparation
This part of the programme examines preparation, with attention to agendas, terminology and meeting context. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Agendas.
- Terminology.
- Meeting context.
- Applied work: prepare for a fictional meeting using its agenda and supporting papers.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare for a fictional meeting using its agenda and supporting papers. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Active listening
This part of the programme examines active listening, with attention to identifying decisions and key points. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Identifying decisions.
- Key points.
- Applied work: identify decisions, actions and material discussion points from a sample transcript.
Illustrative practical exercise
Identify decisions, actions and material discussion points from a sample transcript. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Minute drafting
This part of the programme examines minute drafting, with attention to neutral language and clear action records. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Neutral language.
- Clear action records.
- Applied work: draft concise neutral minutes with clear responsibilities.
Illustrative practical exercise
Draft concise neutral minutes with clear responsibilities. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Finalising minutes
This part of the programme examines finalising minutes, with attention to checking, approval and distribution. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Checking.
- Approval.
- Distribution.
- Applied work: review the minutes for accuracy before approval and circulation.
Illustrative practical exercise
Review the minutes for accuracy before approval and circulation. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
A committee’s minutes contain lengthy discussion but omit who must act on its decisions. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Indicative outline for discussion. The final syllabus is agreed with Ratomac before booking. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.