Recording board meeting minutes is an important yet often ignored aspect of governance for boards. Minutes are essential because they document the decisions and actions taken at a meeting, or as a legal document. They also aid in the enforcement of director and corporate accountability.
It is essential that the procedure of making minutes is clearly defined. There are a variety of ways to make minutes, but the most efficient approach is to use a tool that permits quick and efficient recording during the board session. This type of technology could cut down on the time it takes to record minutes and aid in ensuring that all the necessary information is recorded.
The aim of board minutes of meetings is to provide an objective and factual report of the meeting without being biased or expressing opinions. This can be challenging when emotions are high, or the board is split. It is vital that the minute-taker is capable of separating their own opinions and observations from the opinions of the board members while taking notes.
To assist with this, Bowie recommends that board secretaries use a uniform format to record the minutes of meetings. This will allow for a more efficient process of the process of recording minutes, so that the board can take more time to discuss issues and answer questions. She suggests that all changes of the minutes are documented so that board members can determine if they have been updated.