Overview
Minutes are a vital component of effective governance within organisations, which provide a legal record of how decisions have been made and can also help shape the tone of strategic discussions and influence future decisions.
This one-day course is for those with experience of taking minutes who want to improve the quality and value of their minutes and to ensure they can be understood through a retrospective lens. You will learn tools and techniques to take high-quality, technical minutes in pressurised environments in which sensitivity, accuracy, speed, and ethics all add to the complexity, the role technology could play in supporting your approach and how to work together with key stakeholders to support the minute taking process.
ourse costs (ex VAT)
Non-member - £755
Professional subscriber - £680
Member - £605
A discount is available for registered charities, please email [email protected]
For any related enquiries please contact us at [email protected], or call us at +44 (0)20 7580 4741
Participant Profile
- How do I take minutes for highly technical meetings where I don’t understand the subject matter?
- What is the appropriate level of details for minutes in different governance settings?
- How do I take minutes where the discussion is contentious/sensitive?
- How can I address differences in opinions or expectations about what should be included in the minutes?
- Will AI replace the role of the minute-taker?
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, delegates will be able to:
- Apply approaches to taking high-quality, technical minutes that stand the test of time.
- Understand the complexities of minute taking in sensitive and challenging situations.
- Apply the appropriate level of detail required for various governance scenarios.
- Work effectively with the chair and other key stakeholders to increase the strategic value of your minutes.
- Understand the benefits and drawbacks of using different technologies and AI tools to support your minute taking.
You will also receive:
- A delegate pack containing comprehensive course notes and presentation slides
- A certificate to show you have attended the course
- 6 hours credit towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- 6 months complimentary professional subscription of The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland. This includes a subscription to G+C Magazine as well as access to briefings, discounts and our knowledge base.

People who take this course often go on to book:
Useful CGI Resources:
A wealth of further information and guidance on governance practices and minute taking can be found in our Resources.
Competency framework
This course aligns to CGI’s competency framework: Emerging/Experienced
Use the competency framework to identify your strengths and areas for improvement in governance.
Programme
- The principles of taking good minutes
- The role of the governance professional
- Related ethics, responsibilities, and expectations
- Expert led peer-to-peer workshop on key issues
- A fit-for-purpose review process
- Expectations vs reality
- Building stakeholder relationships
- Gauging the right level of detail
- Regulatory and/or public scrutiny
- Using a Secretary's note
- Emotional intelligence
- Interventions and ethical dilemmas
- Confidentiality and discretion
- Urgent response (crisis management)
- Sensitivity and use of phraseology
- Setting KPIs for minutes
- Pre-meeting preparation
- Chair summaries / bullet points
- Auditors
- Approved use of AI
- Helpful tools
Course Leader
