What to Include and What to Leave Out of Board Meeting Minutes

It is important to be neutral when composing the minutes of board meetings. The minutes can then be used as an official document to prove that the meeting actually took place and that decisions were made. If opinions are included in the minutes, they could appear biased and cause skepticism between stakeholders, legal entities or future board members. It is essential to be aware of what should be included in the minutes, but it is equally as important to know what to leave out.

As a general rule the minutes of a board meeting should only record the details and decisions that were made during the board meeting. They should not contain personal or subjective opinions, such as how the board chair pounded her desk to highlight her point. It is also best to not mention individuals in the discussion unless there is a specific motion being debated. The board should record who made the motion as well as who voted for it, as well the number of people who voted against, for or abstaining.

It’s also recommended to keep track of any new attendees or special guests. This will help keep track of who’s attending in person and https://boardroombox.com/why-do-you-need-a-board-portal/ remotely. It’s best to include the start and finish times of the meeting along with the date and time of the next meeting. The board members are busy, so setting an exact date and time for the meeting will help everyone keep on track.