What to Include and What to Leave Out of Board Meeting Minutes
It is essential to be neutral when composing the minutes of board meetings. This allows the minutes to serve their purpose as a legal document and show that meetings were held and that decisions were made. If opinions are contained in the notes, they can be seen as biased and create doubt from stakeholders, legal entities or future board members. It is important to be aware of what should be included in the minutes, but it’s equally as important to know what to remove.
In general, board meeting minutes should only record the facts and decisions made during the meeting. They should never contain personal or subjective views like the way the chair of the meeting hammered her desk in order to emphasize her point. It is also best to not identify individuals involved in the discussion in the event that an exact motion is being discussed. The board should also note who proposed the motion and who voted to second it, as well the number of people voting against, for or abstaining.
It’s also recommended to keep track of any new attendees or special guests. This will allow attendees to keep track of the people who are present in person and remotely. It’s a good idea to include the start and end times of the meeting along with the date and time of the next meeting. Board members have busy schedules, so having a set date and time to meet will help everyone stay on the same page.