remember the most important things to get down are what has been decided and who is going to do it
use simple, straightforward language. You want to be as clear as possible
try to sum up the issue, rather than write down all the ins and outs of a discussion
if there is a discussion about an important subject, you might want to include some key points in the minutes
if there is a presentation or talk at a meeting you don't need to minute the whole presentation, just record that it took place
never say 'I thought' or 'I said' or use 'I' at all. Minutes are not a personal record of your thoughts, but an official account of what was discussed and agreed
it is not necessary to name everyone who spoke. Sometimes it is useful to, for example if they are presenting a report, but on the whole it is better to think about what the main point is, rather than who said it
remember that the minutes need to be understood by someone who wasn't at the meeting, so give a bit of background
only record what actually happened at the meeting. Don't include additional information you may have gained since the meeting.
